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: steering
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2006
2006 MAZDA 3I TOURING STALLED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THE POWER STEERING MADE STRANGE NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A U-TURN OR PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. *JB
Steering, Mar 9, 2006
2006 MAZDA 3, 5DOOR AUTOMATIC PURCHASED NEW IN OCTOBER, 2005. CAR PULLS LEFT. ITS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS 7 DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY CANT FIX IT. I'VE GOT AN ATTORNEY NOW AND GOING THROUGH LEMON LAW PROCEDURES. WE DID GIVE MAZDA SEVERAL EXTRA CHANCES TO FIX IT AND HAVE THEIR ZONE MANAGER AND HIS TECH REP AND A MAZDA ENGINEER THAT DROVE DOWN FROM MICHIGAN, A CHANCE TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. ON THE LAST VISIT THEY CONFIRMED 2 OTHER NEW MAZDA 3'S DROVE LIKE MINE DID, I.E. THEY PULLED LEFT. ON PREVIOUS VISITS I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM WITH 3 OTHER NEW MAZDA 3'S THAT THEY DID NOT PULL LEFT. BASICALLY IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WILL QUICKLY GO LEFT AND LEAVE YOUR CURRENT LANE. I'VE HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFY THIS AS WELL. MAZDA IS NOW TAKING THE POSITION THAT THE MAZDA 3 IS A 'SPORTY' CAR AND HAS A WEAK ON-CENTER STEERING FEEL AND THAT JUST THE WAY THEIR CARS ARE AND ITS NOT A DEFECT. BUT AS I MENTIONED I'VE CONFIRMED ON MULTIPLE OTHER VISITS, WITH THEIR TECH PEOPLE, DRIVING OTHER NEW MAZDA 3'S THAT THE OTHER NEW CARS DID NOT PULL LEFT SO AT THE LEAST THEY HAVE A PROBLEM TURNING OUT CARS THAT VARY FROM CAR TO CAR. NO OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN DRIVES THIS WAY AND PULLS LEFT WHEN YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL. I'M AN ENGINEER AND IN MY OPINION THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO. BECAUSE THE CAR IS A UNIBODY IT HS NO CAMBER ADJUSTMENT SO THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THIS DEFECT ONCE THE CAR HAS BEEN MADE. *NM