2005 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 103 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 16 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJul 1, 2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
Campaign 21V494000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 2, 2009
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Campaign 09E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveNov 22, 2004
ON TWO PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE SOLDER CONNECTION ATTACHING THE ACCELERATION SENSOR IN THE SAS UNIT MADE CONTACT WITH THE BASE PLATE, DAMAGING THE SOLDER CONNECTION.
THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES.
DEALERS REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES. THE TWO VEHICLE OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004, AND THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
Campaign 04V559000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
24 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, other individuals informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clock spring was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V494000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Oct 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V494000 (Air Bags) however, the contact was unable to contact reach the manufacturer or the local dealer for the recall repair. The contact called the number to the local dealer and the manufacturer but was unable to schedule an appointment for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair and had made it very difficult to resolve the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Invalid VIN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jan 3, 2017
I DRIVE A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3 SP23I, FOUR-DOOR SEDAN. A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHILE PARKED IN THE STREET, MY SON HAD RECLINED THE PASSENGER SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK AND WHEN I ASKED HIM TO RETURN IT INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION, A RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS NEVER GONE OFF SINCE AND I AM FEARFUL THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 12, 2016, crash
WE WERE IN A FEW ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THE CAR DOES NOT STAY IN PARK WE MUST USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR BECAUSE WHEN WE TURN IT OFF THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE AND AS WE DRIVE THE CAR THE CAR WILL TURN OFF RIGHT THERE. SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING ON DRIVER SIDE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 26, 2016
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AS THE SAME ISSUE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON, HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED IN CERTAIN VIN#S AND APPARENTLY NEEDS EXPANDING. PLEASE REFERENCE MAZDA RECALL #2504K OR NHTSA RECALL # 04V559. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT STAYS ON WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING, IT IS ON AT ALL TIMES THE VEHICLE IS ON AND IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY EVENT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 26, 2016
THE RED AIRBAG SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD, AT FIRST WOULD COME ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, BUT NOW IT'S ON EVERYTIME I OPERATE THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL EITHER NOT DEPLOY OR DEPLOY INCORRECTLY. I'VE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS AND IT IS A WELL KNOWN AND PREVALENT ISSUE. IT IS NOT RELATED TO ANY EVENT, OTHER THAN NORMAL DRIVING AND OPERATION.
Air bags, Sep 5, 2015, crash
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2015. I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND. MY LEFT REAR DOOR WAS HIT BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. I THOUGH NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE I THOUGH THE IMPACT NEEDED TO BE HARDER. THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. TODAY ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 AROUND 2:20PM, I WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING FOR SOME VEHICLES TO TURN. 5 SECONDS LATER, I WAS HIT FROM THE BACK. THE IMPACT WAS VERY HARD SENDING MY GIRLFRIEND AND I TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAD THE SAME RESORT WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. LUCKY FOR ME, I ALWAYS WEAR MY SEATBELT BECAUSE IF I HAVE NOT. I WOULD OF BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY HURT OR DEAD.
Air bags, May 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V559000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Air bags, Structure, Dec 18, 2014, crash
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE (FORD EXPLORER) TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS MY LANE OF TRAVEL. WHILE BRAKING, MY 2005 MAZDA 3 WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR AND DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR DAMAGING BOTH IN THE PROCESS. MY VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION CROSS STREET. THIS COLLISION DAMAGED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND REAR QUARTER PANEL. AS A RESULT, 5 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED; THE FOUR DOOR CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE TORSO AIRBAG. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW GLASS. BECAUSE MY HEAD HIT THE GLASS HARD AND BOUNCED BACK I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AS WELL AS WHIPLASH ON MY NECK. IF THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN TIME, THE RESULT WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER FOR ME. *TR
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
I DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH LIGHT UP AS WELL. BOTH LIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHIN A WEEK, THEN FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS JUST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN SWITCHING ON AND OFF. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE LIGHT HAS RETURNED BACK ON AGAIN. I FEAR IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Jun 24, 2014
DROVE OVER SOME BUMPS AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD CAME ON. IT HAS NOT TURNED OFF SINCE. WITH THE LIGHT ON, MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. *TR
Air bags, Apr 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECLINING THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V559000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2014
IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY SON HAD RECLINED THE PASSENGER SEAT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THEN BACK UP TO THE PROPER HEIGHT, THE AIR BAG SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE READJUSTED THE SEAT SEVERAL TIMES AS WELL AS ATTACH AND UN ATTACH THE SEAT BELTS SEVERAL TIME, BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. PLEASE HAVE THE SENSORS RECALLED SO THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Jul 16, 2013
ANYTIME AFTER IT RAINS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. DOING INTERNET RESEARCH, ITS MOST LIKELY THE CRASH SENSORS THAT HAVE CRACKS THAT ALLOW MOISTURE IN. THE DEALER WANTS TO RUN EXTENSIVE TESTS COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, WHEN I AM SURE THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT IT IS. IT SAYS ON THE INTERNET THAT THE AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH WITH THIS DEFECT. OLDER MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM AND THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Air bags, Oct 9, 2011, crash
VEHICLE INVLOVED INTO HIGHWAY COLLISION DURING WET CONDITIONS. WAS STRUCK BY TOYOTA TACOMA AFTER THE TACOMA HAD SPUN OUT. INITIAL IMPACT WAS DRIVER SIDE FENDER CORNER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT, AS IT SPUN OUT , VEHICLE WAS STRUCK 3 MORE TIMES, BY THE OUT OF CONTROL TACOMA, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR, FRONT DOOR AND FENDER. REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAVED IN , PANEL ASSEMBLY WAS PUSHED IN , WINDOW SHATTERED, BENCH SEAT DISLODGED. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING ANY OF THE 4 IMPACTS. DESPITE FULL BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, VEHICLE SPINNING AND 3 SEATBELTS ENGAGED. ACCORDINGLY SYSTEM WAS TESTED "OK" BY MAZDA DURING VEHICLE REPAIRS. I WOULD SUPPOSE THAT THE CURTAIN SIDE AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED ESPECIALLY IF THE REAR DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2010
AIR BAG LIGHT ON, I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY 2005 MAZDA3, BUT MAZDA SAYS THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVENTHOUGH THE YEAR AND MODEL MATCH THE RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 3, 2010
HI, I HAVE TWO ISSUES DUE TO: ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT MAY COME ON DUE TO DAMAGED PRETENSIONER SENSOR WIRING BREAKAGE FROM ADJUSTING THE SEAT. (2005) . THIS WAS ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 30, 2010 THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE, ISSUES DUE TO A VALVE IN THE INTAKE SYSTEM JAMMING. THE DEALER MAZDA IN PONCE, PUERTO RICO, CHECK THIS ISSUES, THIS IS THE PART # LF82-18-740 VALVE,SOLE & LF70-15-170 THEY SAID TO REPAIR THOSE PARTS. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Apr 5, 2010
WHEN DRIVING WATER ENTERED A SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. *TR
Air bags, May 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE READJUSTED HIS DRIVER'S SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THIS INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,230. UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR OPENED, IT WOULD RESET AND LIGHT. UPDATED.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.
Air bags, Jan 18, 2008, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 10 EAST, PARSIPPANY, NJ IN THE LEFT LANE. I WAS DRIVING AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT TWO CARS HAD JUST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THEY DID NOT HAVE THEIR HAZARDS ON. AS I APPROACHED THE CARS, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND HIT THE ONE CAR STRAIGHT ON GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT NEVER INFLATED. MY CAR IS A MAZDA6 2005. I BROUGHT THE CAR AT SATURN OF TOMSRIVER, NJ AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNER VEHICLE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING ASSESSED BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER. I WILL NOTIFY THEM NOT TO TOUCH THE AIR BAG IN CASE YOU ARE GOING TO DO AN INVESTIGATION. *TR
Air bags, Oct 19, 2007, crash
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA3, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HE LEFT THE ROADWAY, BROKE THRU A FARM PROPERTY FENCE, SPUN AROUND, WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SECTION OF FENCE, THEN IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A LARGE HEMLOCK TREE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT, AND FEELS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED, BECAUSE NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, OR NEITHER OF THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE PHOTOS, THE CAR WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Seats, Jan 4, 2007, crash
MY WIFE SONDRA WAS STOPPED IN OUR 2005 MAZDA3 WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A 2001 MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN IT STUCK OUR CAR. OUR CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, INJURIES WERE, 8 STITCHES TO THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE, BACK AND NECK INJURIES, SHE IS UNDER GOING THERAPY AND IS WAITING FOR MORE TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE REASON THAT I AM CONTACTING YOU IS BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SAFETY THAT FAILED. 1. THE DRIVERS SEATBACK BROKE DURING IMPACT. 2. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN SHE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF HER. 3. THE EMERGENCY SWITCH THAT SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED FROM ALL THE DAMAGE, THE CAR IS VALUED AT $ 18,700.00. I EMAILED MAZDA APPROX. 10 DAYS AGO ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM