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: electrical system
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Nov 17, 2021
Randomly, the parking lights, tail lights, and climate control lighting will fail. This has happened to me multiple times over a number of years. Striking the right side of the center console will generally result in functionality being restored. Sometimes, simply turning the lights off and then on again results in the failure as well. My assumption, based on online forums where others have had the same issues, is that the Passenger Junction Box (PJB) is faulty. Striking the center console send vibrations to the PJB, resulting in it (usually) to start working again. While I do not regularly drive the vehicle at night, my concern is that without working tail lights, I could be involved in an accident OR be ticketed for my lights not working. Others online have had the same issues, and I believe it may be an issue in multiple vehicle models and model years.
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.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 3, 2015
THE VEHICLE WAS COMING AROUND A TURN AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUSE, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S RADIO WENT OFF AND STEERING LOCKED UP INTO MANUAL AND CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CAR STALLED OUT AND ENGINE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTART HAD TO ISSUES. UPON REST OF RETURN TRIP HOME, UPON THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE, THE CARS RADIO, THERMOMETER GAUGE AND GENERAL ELECTRONICS WOULD STOP AND RESET WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED AND GAS PEDAL APPLIED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 38 MPH AROUND A RAMP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Electrical system, May 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE RADIO. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD ALSO OCCURRED AFTER THE LIGHTING WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 6, 2014
THE ADAPTER IN THE HEADLAMP IS FAULTY. THE CAR REQUIRES THE H7 LOW BEAM BULB, BUT THERE IS A PLASTIC ADAPTER IN THE HOUSING UNIT THAT MELTS PERIODICALLY. I HAVE TO KEEP BUYING REPLACEMENTS ABOUT ONCE A YEAR AND HAVE TO CHANGE THE BULB ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR. I ALWAYS SMELL BURNING PLASTIC WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND WORRY THAT A FIRE COULD START (THE ADAPTER HAS BURN/MELTED SPOTS ON IT WHEN REMOVED). IT ALSO CORRODES EXTREMELY FAST CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT EXTREMELY QUICKLY. I'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2008 AND IT'S BEEN DOING IT SINCE ABOUT 2010. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 9, 2011
BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON 10/5/11, NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL FELT HARDER TO TURN INTERMITTENTLY, AT THE SAME TIME, THE RADIO AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED AND ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHED. I STOPPED AND RETURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY , WHERE THE CAR REPEATED TO FLICKER LIGHTS AND RADIO EVERYTIME I WOULD TURN THE WHEEL. IT DID THIS UNTIL I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON , WITH NO PROBLEMS THROUGH OUT THE DAY. ON 10/8/11, I WAS TURNING INTO A GAS STATION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED , I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING SO I FINISHED MY TURN AND ATTEMPTED TO PARK ALL WHILE NOTICING MY VEHICLE TURNING OFF AND POWER STEERING LIGHT ON. CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF BY THE TIME I COULD GET IT TO A SECURE LOCATION . THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AT AL , THE BATTERY SEEMED COMPLETELY DEAD , WHERE I NEEDED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TURN IT BACK ON . NO PROBLEM THROUGH THE REST OF THE DAY SINCE THAT HAPPENED. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2011, fire
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHEN THICK SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF MY AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK DRIVING IT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALER IS 6.5 MILES AWAY, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND BEGAN MELTING TWO DRIVE BELTS. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR, 2 BELTS, REFRIGERANT, FUSE AND DRYER S (?) FOR A TOTAL ABOUT $850. NOW I AM READING OTHERS' COMPLAINTS AND SEE THAT SOMEONE WAS REIMBURSED BY MAZDA FOR THIS, AND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IF I'D BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE SMOKE SMELLED QUITE ACRID; WAS LIKELY BREATHING IN TOXIC SUBSTANCES. IT SEEMS LIKE MAZDA SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS. I AM CONTACTING THEM TO REQUEST THAT THEY REIMBURSE MY COSTS, EVEN THOUGH I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A DEALER. *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.
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2009
AS I WAS READING IN YOUR MOST RECENT REPORT, MY SON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL UNIT WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. HE TOOK THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. BROUGHT BACK THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE DASH CLUSTER. PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR IN THIS HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS. IS THIS REIMBURSABLE BY THE MANUFACTURER? *TR
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2009
I OWN A 2005 MAZDA 3 . THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS ALL LIT UP (CRUISE CONTROL, ENGINE, OIL, ETC, ETC. BROUGHT CAR TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SENSOR. PAID 225.00 FOR REPAIR. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME ISSUE. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP, KEPT CAR FOR A FEW DAYS TO DIAGNOSE. CLAIM TO HAVE COME UP WITH A NEW CODE FOR FIX WHICH WAS FOR AN ADJUSTMENT COST. COST TO BE REPAIRED WAS 970.00. SHOULD THIS BE THE CASE WITH SUCH A NEW MODEL ONLY BEING 4 YEARS OLD? STILL NOT SURE THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF ISSUE, SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN THE SENSOR WAS TOLD TO BE THE PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER? PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. THANK YOU! *TR
Electrical system, Dec 10, 2007
MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE BEGAN TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY, SKIPS AND MAKING LOUD POPPING NOISES. THE CAR THAN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UP. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND SO THEY FIXED IT AT NO COST TO ME WHICH WAS 2,000 DOLLARS. HOWEVER, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR BUYING NEW KEYS WHICH COST 600 DOLLARS. MY CAR IS CURRENT IN THE SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS TWICE. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN A YEAR. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2007
RECALL WAS FILED TO THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN AS OF NOV. 30TH 2007 FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON. THE TUBE MATERIAL USED IN ELECTRICAL WIRING OF MOTOR IS INAPPROPRIATE. THE TUBE LOSES IT'S INTENSITY OVER THE TIME AND IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING BADLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE MOTOR. THUS, THE MOTOR WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY IT HAS NOT YET FILED IN THE U.S. I HAVE HAD VERY PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT TAKE ME SERIOUSLY SINCE IT IS NOT SHOWN IN THEIR SYSTEM IN THE U.S. YET. I FOUND THIS RECALL NOTICE ON MAZDA JAPAN(JAPANESE ONLY) WEBSITE AND ALSO IN MANY NEWSPAPER WEBS. HOWEVER, NOBODY SEEMS TO BE NOTIFIED IN THE U.S. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Sep 13, 2006, crash
SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 3 IN 2005 I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES & THE ROTORS. THIS CAR WAS ALWAYS AT MAZDA FOR SOMETHING. THEN IN JULY, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER WENT OUT ON THE CAR,I LOST ALL BRAKES & STEERING & RAN INTO A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT & ONCE AGAIN THE CAR STALLED ON ME. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA & LET THEM KNOW THE PROBLEM & AFTER 4 DAYS & DRIVING THE CAR A TOTAL OF 9 MILES THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR & THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING WHEN THEY DROVE IT. I JUST HAD A DAMAGED RIM AND NEEDED THE CAR RE-ALIGNED. WHEN I WENT TO GET THE CAR I WAS VERY UPSET AT THE COST I HAD TO PAY WHEN THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. THE CASHIER CALLED THE MANAGER & I EXPLAINED EVERYTHING TO HIM. HE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THIS & SAID THAT IF I WAS HIS WIFE HE WOULD NOT PUT ME BACK INTO THIS VEHICLE & PUT ME IN A RENTAL FOR THE WEEKEND. ON MON. HE CALLED & SAID HE DROVE IT PERSONALLY & HE TOO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG SO HE SAID TO COME PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THEN ON TUES,AUG. 22, 2006 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I TURNED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON (KEEP IN MIND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I HAD THEM CHANGE THE WIPER BLADES) & THE RT WINDSHIELD WIPER FLEW OFF MY CAR. I GOT OUT & PUT IT BACK ON AND IT CAME OFF AGAIN. AFTER WORK MY BOSS SAID THE WIPER WAS BROKEN & THREW IT IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. WE THEN LEFT WORK. ABOUT 3 MINS LATER I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH & ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER WENT OUT. I HAD NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NOTHING...ONCE AGAIN AND IN FRONT OF ME WAS AN ABOVE GROUND CEMENT MANHOLE WE HAVE ON THE BASE & I KNEW I WAS GOING TO HIT IT SO I JUST HELD ON TIGHT.THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS PEOPLE SCREAMING ARE YOU OK & WHEN I OPENED MY EYES I WAS UPSIDE DOWN. I FLEW IN THE AIR & LANDED ON THE CAR BEHIND ME & CAME WITHIN AN INCH OF GOING INTO HIS WINDSHIELD BUT THAT ALSO SAVED MY LIFE THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID. SO NOW MY CAR IS TOTALED.*NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jul 19, 2006
2005 MAZDA 3S WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE MAIN RELAY AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP & GAUGE TWICE BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *KB THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MAZDA TECH SUPPORT WAS CALLED AND THE THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE FUEL CANISTER. IT WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 22, 2006. *NM