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
103 reports, newest first.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
Engine, Mar 10, 2014
DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST $400 AT THE DEALER. *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
Tires, Jan 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS KUHMO LX PLATINUM TIRES, SIZE 205-50/R17 THAT WERE BEING USED ON A 2005 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TREAD BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE TIRE TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
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
Steering, Jun 10, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST SUDDENLY. THE FLUID IS RIGHT AT MAX WHEN COOL, AND HAS NEVER GIVEN PROBLEMS BEFORE. *TR
Steering, Feb 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Steering, Dec 12, 2012, crash
STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 4, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET AND APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS LATER THE SOCKET CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Steering, May 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,450.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 16, 2011
WHEN DRIVING TO AND FROM SOMEWHERE WHEN I COME TO A STOP SIGN OR A STOP LIGHT MY CAR WILL SHAKE (VIBRATE) ALOT AND SOMETIMES ALMOST DIE SO I HAVE TO PUSH ON THE GAS A LITTLE OR PUT THE CAR IN PARK. ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS MY CAR WONT ALWAYS TURN OVER. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PIECXES AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO MAZDA DEALER SHIPS AND NOONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE EXACT PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS AN INTERMITEN PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY SENSE I HAVE TWO KIDS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *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
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, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 4, 2011
PLAGUE WITH FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. 1ST TIME CHECK ENGINE CAME ON, WHEN CAR REACHED 44,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC, AND REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR. WARRANTY COVERED. 2ND TIME CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AT 51,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED 2 OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. WHEN CAR REACH 85,000 MILES, ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING WHEN I PRESSED GAS PEDAL, ENGINE JUST DIES ON THE STREET. THIS TIME DEALER SAID FUEL PUMP MIGHT BE BAD. SO WE GOT IT REPLACED FOR $800. WHEN CAR REACH 100,000 MILES I HAD FUEL LINE CLEANED FROM FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL INJECTORS, AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. AT 105,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK CAR TO AUTOZONE PARTS AND HAD IT READ. THE CODE SAYS, P2004 (VARIABLE TUMBLE SHUTTER VALVE STUCK OPEN). THE NEXT DAY I WAS GOING TAKE IT TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT, BUT ON MY WAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T LIT ANYMORE, SO I DROVE STRAIGHT TO WORK. 3 DAYS AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, SO I JUST IGNORED IT. AND 2 DAYS LATER, IT DISAPPEARED. ALL THESE TIME, SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I NEVER MISSED A REGULAR MAINTENANCE, I.E., OIL CHANGE, AIR FILTER CHANGE, FLUSHED FLUIDS. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH TIRE REPLACEMENT, NEW BRAKES PADS, NEW BATTERY. RIGHT NOW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT LIT.
Exterior lighting, Apr 28, 2011
I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY MAZDA 3 2005 EACH YEAR SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR; EACH SIDE I'VE REPLACED 3 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THEM ALL INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP, SO THAT I KNOW THE REPAIR IS BEING DONE CORRECTLY. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, HOWEVER I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I'M SURPRISED THAT NO RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY DO NOT WANT MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH HAS HAPPENED TWICE. *TR
Visibility, Mar 23, 2011
TEETH OF WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CONNECTION ARE STRIPPED OUT BY THE WIPER MOTORS. THIS JUST HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. OCCURS WHEN THERE IS SNOW/ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND THE TEETH/GEAR IN THE WIPER ARM AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO LIFT THE WEIGHT. *TR
Steering, Feb 14, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE USED A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING PUMP THAN THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 27, 2010
I DEVELOPED A TICK IN THE ENGINE, TOOK TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED " THE SHUTTER VALVE INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COMING APART". TOOK IT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MAZDA REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD "THE VALVE IS ACTUALLY JUST STUCK OPEN". BOTH SHOPS QUOTED A $1500 REPAIR BILL. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS ONLY 5 1/2 YEARS OLD. YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE PLASTIC SHUTTER VALVE, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD (THAT PART COSTS $1000). SINCE I ONLY PAID $14,000 TOTAL FOR THE WHOLE CAR, I AM VERY UPSET WITH (MY 1ST AND LAST) MAZDA. I WILL REPAIR AND SELL ASAP. *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