2006 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 166 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 21 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 15 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
Representative owner complaints: air bags
27 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 2, 2021, crash
The contact owned a 2006 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph when the driver-side airbag deployed without warning which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle. The contact was the only injured and sought medical treatment. The contact sustained bruising on the right wrist and chest. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2021
This vehicle has one unrepaired recall. When I tried to make an appointment with the Mazda dealer to correct it, no recall is found after giving my VIN number. Is there any other way to have them repair it?
Air bags, Aug 4, 2021, crash
My 2006 Mazda was in a serious accident last month and my air bag did not inflate properly along with the warning logo a few days before the accident. My car was picked up and released to Geico yesterday for inspection from their at fault driver totalling my vehicle. It was a head on collision so the air bag is a big factor in a serious wreck. It was confirmed to have an active recall. The warning logo appeared on my dash right before the accident that caused a broken and dislocated hip resulting into two surgeries and a long recovery period.
Air bags, Mar 25, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNED A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER, WHICH FLIPPED THE VEHICLE UPSIDE DOWN AND DRAGGED THE VEHICLE FOR UNKNOWN MILES. THE CONTACT STATED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HER SON WAS HAD HIS HAND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND LOST 4 FINGERS ON HIS LEFT HAND AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE FLIPPED 5 OR 6 TIMES, IT FINALLY ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN AFTER AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. *JB SKIDDING 600 FEET, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*JB*LN
Air bags, Jan 15, 2020
LETTER EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING MAZDA'S RECALL FOR TAKATA AIR BAGS. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. *JS
Air bags, Aug 22, 2019
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, MY 2006 MAZDA IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE CARS NOTED FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE.
Air bags, Jun 10, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT HAS STAYED ON.
Air bags, May 13, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ONE AND STAYS ON. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Jan 2, 2017
LIKE THE MAZDA 6 FOR 2008, MY SON'S MAZDA 3 2006 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT NOT TURNING OFF. A MAZDA DEALER TOLD HIM IT WOULD COST $400 TO FIX AND THE WERE NO GUARANTEES IT WOULD BE FIXED. HE HAD IT FIXED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO OFFERED A GUARANTEE. I PAID FOR IT AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED LIKE THE MAZDA 6, AS IT IT A MATTER OF SERIOUS SAFETY.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 24, 2016
PART 2 -(CONT.) RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). LETTERS FROM MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER PROVIDING NECESSARY REPAIR INFORMATION ETC. I AM ADDING THESE COMPLAINTS TO MY EXISTING COMPLAINT, AS DURING MY INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, DATED 8/24/15, I FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU, IT STATES HOW MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IS IN THE WRONG POSITION, WHICH I HAD TO DECLINE TO HAVE FIXED, AS I AM FINANCIALLY UNAVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED AND COVERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE ALARMING ABOVE-MENTIONED E-MAILS I HAD RECEIVED AND BELIEVE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE CLEARLY RELATED. AND 3. (PART 1) RE: UNKNOWN/OR OTHER: AS A RESULT OF HAVING MY POWER STEERING ISSUE REPAIRED (INITIAL COMPLAINT), I WAS TOLD AFTER THE REPAIR BY A MR. CARLETON AT LIBERTY MAZDA, WAKEFIELD, MA, THAT WHEN MY RIGHT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL IS TURNED ON, IT NOW CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS EXTREMELY FAST (CODE B2899 RT DIRECTIONAL - EST FOR DIRECTIONAL WIRING TO JUST START TO LOCATE THE ISSUE IS LISTED ON THE SUBMITTED DIAGNOSTIC REPORT IS $220.00) BUT THAT IT SHOULDN'T EFFECT ME GETTING A NEW CAR INSPECTION STICKER OR ANYTHING, SO I HAD TO DECLINE FIXING DUE TO COST. (THIS ISSUE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AS WELL, THAT I HAVE FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU.) I AM ALSO UNABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED AS WELL, AND FOR THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST AT ALL BEFORE I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING FIXED AND THIS ISSUE APPEARED AFTER THAT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN FULL AND FIXED BY MANUFACTURER; 3. (PART 2.) CONTINUOUS ISSUE BEGINNING ROUGHLY 3-4 WEEKS OF PURCHASE (BOUGHT BRAND NEW, NOT USED): CLOCK IN VEHICLE IS SET TO THE PROPER TIME, BUT WILL ONLY LAST A MONTH MAYBE AT VERY MOST BEFORE IT CHANGES AUTO AND DISPLAYS A RANDOM TIME.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2016
PART 1 - 1. RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). AS PER INSTRUCTION, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO AN OFFICIAL, AUTHORIZED REPAIR MAZDA DEALER ON 8/24/15 (LIBERTY MAZDA, WAKEFIELD, MA) FOR A DIAGNOSTIC REPORT TO BE DONE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WAS COMPLETED, I KEPT MY VEHICLE THERE FOR REPAIR OF THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. I FAXED AND MAILED TO THE NHTSA, THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, THE TOTAL INVOICE OF REPAIR, PROOF OF PAYMENT IN FULL, AS WELL AS 3-4 MORE DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY LIBERTY MAZDA, AND I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED ANY UPDATE AS OF YET. I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO MY LOW MILEAGE, MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS BY 2006 MAZDA 3 OWNERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE HAVE BEEN FILED, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THIS CLEARLY IS A "SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT" (DIRECT QUOTE FROM ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV UNDER "WHEN IS A RECALL NECESSARY?, PAGE 6 OUT OF 20) WAS TOLD THAT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS COSTLY REPAIR WOULD BE ISSUED BY RECALL OR BY WARRANTY DUE TO MY LOW MILEAGE. ALSO QUOTING FROM ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV UNDER "EXAMPLES OF DEFECTS CONSIDERED SAFETY-RELATED", (PAGE 7 OUT OF 20), WHICH STATES "STEERING COMPONENTS THAT BREAK SUDDENLY CAUSING PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.", I ABSOLUTELY FEEL THAT THIS REIMBURSEMENT ISSUE BE ADDRESSED TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 2. RE: AIR BAGS: I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM U.S. DOT NHTSA, DATED FRIDAY, 1/08/16 STATING MY CAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR MAY BE INVOLVED IN A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO: 15V869; SUBJECT: PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY RUPTURE. I THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER EMAIL ON 2/6/16 STATING MY CAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR MAY BE INVOLVED IN ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL: MANUFACTURER: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS; MAKE / MODEL YEARS : MAZDA / 2004-2006, SUBJECT: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FRONTAL INFLATOR MAY RUPTURE.. AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY SEPARATE
Air bags, Seat belts, May 4, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS FAILED TO RETRACT. THE DRIVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Air bags, Seats, Feb 4, 2015
THE AIRBAG SENSOR AROUND THE SEAT AREA ISN'T PROTECTED VERY WELL FROM DIRT AND DEBRIS! NEEDS TO BE SECURED BETTER! *TR
Air bags, Oct 29, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEEDS, SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 23, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEFLATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPLOYING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE CHEST, ARMS, FACE, AND EYES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Air bags, Jul 30, 2014
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON , THE DASHBOARD, MAKING ONE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THIS IN FLORIDA CARS...IT NOW SEEMS TO BE A MORE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM IN ALL AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. *TR
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, Jul 13, 2014, crash
ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Jul 10, 2014
THIS IS WHAT I WROTE TO MAZDA REGARDING MY AIRBAGS: THE REASON I'M CONTACTING YOU IS BECAUSE I RECENTLY HEARD IN THE NEWS THAT YOU WERE RECALLING MANY CARS FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS FOR WARM WEATHER CLIMATES IN FLORIDA AND PUERTO RICO. I TRIED LOOKING AT THE RECALL INFORMATION ON YOUR WEBSITE BUT IT DOES NOT WORK. THAT WEBPAGE IS BLANK WHEN YOU HIT THE LINK. THE REASON I'M WRITING IS TO SEE IF MY CAR IS PART OF THE RECALL AS WELL. TWO WEEKS AGO MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AS WELL. MY CAR IS ONLY FROM 2006 AND ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. I DON'T BELIEVE MY CARS AIRBAG SHOULD BE FAULTY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT THE PRESENT AGE OF MY CAR. CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE AND LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS? I'M REALLY CONCERN ABOUT MY AIRBAGS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MY CAR, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I'LL SEND IT RIGHT AWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THIS IS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM MAZDA: THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONTACT MAZDA. DUE TO A PROACTIVE, PREVENTATIVE INVESTIGATION BY MAZDA AND NHTSA, MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM (SSP96) TO REPLACE CERTAIN AIR BAG INFLATORS ON SOME VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN FLORIDA, HAWAII, AND PUERTO RICO. THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SSP IS TO COLLECT THE AIR BAG INFLATORS IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE THEM AND THE LIMITED AFFECTED AREAS FOR THIS PROGRAM WERE DEFINED BY NHTSA BASED ON THEIR INVESTIGATION THUS FAR. YOU WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROCEED SHOULD MAZDA DETERMINE THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS CONCERN. SHOULD YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE NUMBER BELOW AND REFERENCE YOUR SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER. [XXX] REPRESENTATIVE, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jun 10, 2013
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS GONE OFF AND ON SINCE OCT 2012. NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
Air bags, Jun 25, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ONE AND STAYS ON. I CALLED MAZDA AND HAVE AN INCIDENT REPORT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND PER MAZDA, UNTIL THEY RECEIVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS, THEY WILL NOT RECALL, HENCE WHY I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2010
1. MANUFACTURING DEFECT? 2. FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR INTERMITTENT (OPEN CIRCUIT ERROR). CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT CLUSTER TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN ILLUMINATED AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. 3. REPLACED FRONT CRASH SENSOR. *TR
Air bags, Mar 27, 2009
2006 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS 80LB WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED SOMETIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, THE PASSENGER MUST KEEP BOTH LEGS EXTENDED AND SIT UP STRAIGHT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND PRETENSIONER FROM BEING INACTIVATE. *JB
Air bags, Jul 25, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE IDLING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CRASH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NECK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, HOWEVER, HER FACE STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. ON MARCH 14, 2007 WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A 2005 KIA OPTIMA TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE LEFT, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEVERE SPRAIN TO HIS RIGHT WRIST, ANKLE AND KNEE, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 22000. *AK
Air bags, Feb 13, 2007, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING OVER 30 MPH IN A PERPENDICULAR DIRECTION. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS CAUGHT ON A TRIM PIECE AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT REACH THEIR DESIGN INTENT LOCATIONS. I HAVE A PICTURE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW THROUGH ME. NO ADDITIONAL INJURIES OCCURRED DUE TO THE LACK OF PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *JB