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
166 reports, newest first.
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Tires, Jan 22, 2011, crash
FOLLOWING A REAR END COLLISION, MY 2006 MAZDA3 MILEAGE DROPPED FROM ~24MPG TO ~8MPG, WITH NO TORQUE AT ALL FROM ~20MPH. SIGNIFICANT STEERING TROUBLE, AWFUL TIRE NOISE, AND LOUD KNOCKING WHEN TURNING WERE DISMISSED BY THE LOCAL DEALER AS "WELL WITHIN SPECS". REQUESTED BRAKE CALIPER AND ALIGNMENT CHECK, REFUSED BY THE SAME DEALER; TECH PERFORMED A ROAD TEST, DECLARED THE PROBLEM DUE TO TIRE FEATHERING AND DEMONSTRATED 120MPH TIGHT CURVE AS REMEDY. THREE SETS OF TIRES, ONE SET OF WHEELS [3 OF OEM WERE WARPED], ENTIRE COMPLEMENT OF MOTOR MOUNTS, TWO SETS OF ROTORS LATER, I'M ABOUT TO REPLACE CALIPER MOUNTS AND AXLES. CAR IS UNSAFE, AND DEALERSHIP DISREGARD OF WARRANTY AND TSBS, AND OF BASIC SAFETY STANDARDS WAS OUTRAGEOUS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN (ONGOING) [SPINE INJURY FROM COLLISION WAS NEARLY FATAL] CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
Visibility, Jan 14, 2011
WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALER THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACED. I REPLACED THE MOTOR AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY, THE PROBLEM IS NOW OCCURRING AGAIN AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS AFTER BEING REPLACED. FROM READING ELSEWHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL MAZDA 3'S. I FIND IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS AS IT IMPAIRS YOUR VISION GREATLY. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2010
STARTER ON MY 2006 MAZDA 3 WILL NOT CRANK OR START INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS HAPPEN FIVE OR SIX TIMES OVER THE 4 AND HALF YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD IT. STARTED ONLY AFTER BEING JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HAVE SEEN TWO BULLETINS THAT WERE ISSUED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING AFTER OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN FIXED. LUCKILY I HAVE BEEN NEAR HOME WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING. IT HAPPEN AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MILES AND PARK FOR TEN MINUTES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 4, 2010
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS CAR HAS REFUSED TO START. THE "FIX" WAS DONE BY MAZDA OVER THE PAST SUMMER DUE TO A CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STARTER. THIS TIME IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE GETTING STUCK IN FREEZING WEATHER, ICY CONDITIONS, OR A BAD PART OF TOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND OUTLINES IT IN A SERVICE BULLETIN 01-037/08. SHOULD WOMEN OR CHILDREN, OR ANYONE ELSE BE STRANDED AND HARMED IN ANY WAY BY THIS KNOWN DEFECT, I HOPE MAZDA IS LIABLE FOR NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 10, 2010
MOTOR WILL NOT CRANK AND ENGINE DOES NOT START, INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Traction control system, Sep 6, 2010
I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE AT LIGHT COMING UP AND GOES IN A SECOND AND THE CAR ITS LIKE JERKING AND STOPS FOR A SECOND THE SPEED GOES DOWN SUDDENLY LIKE I JUST HIT THE BRAKES HARD . I TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA DEALER BUT BECAUSE THE LIGHT DOAS NOT STAY THEY CAN NOT TELL WHAT'S GOING. I LOOKED AT IT ONLINE AND I SAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THE MAZDA HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TCM . AFTER 3 MONTH OF DRIVING THE CARS AT THAT SAME CONDITION AND AFTER I ASK DOZENS OF MECHANICS THE LIGHT STAY ON FOR A WHILE I HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER AND IT SAYS LOST COMMUNICATION WITH THE TCM. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THAT MAZDA WILL FIX IT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MONITOR OR THE COMPUTER. *TR
Steering, Aug 31, 2010
2006 MAZDA 3 I TOURING, STARTED TO HAVE HEAVY STEERING PROBLEM WITHOUT THE STEERING LIGHT TURNING ON AT THE DASHBOARD. FAILURE OCCURS FROM STANDING STOP TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE IN INTERSECTION..HARD TO STEER. EASIER TO STEER WHILE IN MOTION. BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. DEALER CLAIMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MODEL YEAR OF THE RECALL. THANKS. *TR
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Aug 9, 2010
TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER FOR NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION). TOLD THAT THE #3 ENGINE MOUNT IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE ADVISOR TELLS ME THAT IT IS A GENERAL OCCURRENCE AND THAT HE SEES 1-2 A WEEK WITH CRACKED/BROKEN #3 ENGINE MOUNTS. MAZDA HEADQUARTERS SAYS THAT IT IS NORMAL WEAR/TEAR ON THE CAR AND WILL NOT COVER THE ENGINE MOUNT, EVEN THROUGH A GOODWILL ACCOUNT, SAYING IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SERVICE ADVISOR SAYS THAT THESE ENGINE MOUNTS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING AND ARE NOT NORMAL WEAR/TEAR. A TSB WAS PUT OUT IN 2007 REGARDING #3 ENGINE MOUNT REPLACEMENT, BUT NO RECALL; HOWEVER, A RECALL WAS PUT OUT ON MAZDASPEED3 FOR A FAULTY #4 ENGINE MOUNT. THIS CAN BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IF IT BREAKS CLEAN THROUGH DUE TO MAZDA'S FAULTY DESIGN FLAWS. SERVICE ADVISOR SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE IT BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE IF IT BREAKS. DO NOT KNOW IF MAZDA HAS REMEDIED THE SITUATION WITH A NEW PART OR IF THE OLD PARTS ARE RETROFITTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 20, 2010
FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER FLICKERS ON AND OFF ON SETTINGS 1, 2 AND 3. SO IT IS CONSTANTLY SWITCHING OFF. SECOND THE CD PLAYER WILL NOT ACCEPT OR PLAY CDS, IT JUST SAYS CHECK DISC AND EJECTS THE DISC. THE CLOCK CHANGES TIME OCCASIONALLY TOO. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2010, crash
STARTED VEHICLE (2006 MAZDA3) PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND LIGHTLY APPLIED GAS TO PULL AWAY FROM CURB. VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD RAPIDLY AND ENGINE REVVED QUICKLY AND LOUDLY. TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND OR MAY NOT HAVE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO RESPOND. COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK PARKED ACROSS THE STREET 1 HOUSE DOWN FROM START LOCATION. THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO LIFT THE TRUCK F150 UP AND ONTO THE CURB IT WAS PARKED NEXT TO, ALONG WITH DAMAGING THE AXLE AREA OF THE F150. THE MAZDA3 LOST PART OF THE FRONTEND ON THE ROADWAY DUE TO GETTING WEDGED UNDER THE TRUCK. THE CAR HAD LUNGED FORWARD LIKE THIS ON ONE OCCASION IN THE PREVIOUS WEEK, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RECOVERED WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR
Power train, May 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE SHIFT SHOCKED AND BUCKED. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED BACK UP TO FIFTH GEAR AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS NO MATTER THE SPEED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
Tires, May 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR GOODYEAR DUNLAP SP SPORT SIGNATURE TIRES, SIZE 205/50R/17 93V, DOT MK7PRNHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS ALSO CRACKED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ALL OF THE REMAINING TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO EXHIBITING UNUSUAL CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. THE DEALER AGREED TO PRORATE THE COST OF THE TIRES AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD FOUR DIFFERENT BRANDS OF TIRES ON IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2010
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2006 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK ON WILLOW STREET, LONG BEACH, CA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AROUND 4 PM, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND SHE TURNED THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND OUT THE ENGINE WAS LEANT TOWARD FRONT ABOUT 45 DEGREE. SHE DID NOT GO THROUGH ANY BUMPS ON THE ROAD, JUST DRIVING ON NORMAL STREETS. WE CHECKED ON GOOGLE AND DISCOVERED THE BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BEEN THE MAJOR CAUSE OF SUCH KIND OF PROLBEMS. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS CAME FROM THE OWNERS WHO DROVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. THE CARS WITH THE BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS COULD STOP AT THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE ROADS AND CAUSE REAR-ENDED ACCIDENTS. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND INFORM THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE THE PARTS TO ENSURE TJE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES AND THE DRIVERS. *TR
Tires, Mar 24, 2010, crash
2006 MAZDA3. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. *BF THE CONSUMER DROVE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A CEMENT WALL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE OFFICER CHECKED THE REAR TIRES AND FOUND THEM TO HAVE LOW TREAD. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. # 10-0656-90 UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
2006 MAZDA 3 LURCHED FORWARD*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD, WHEN SHE BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE TO LET ANOTHER VEHICLE GET OUT, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A LAMP POST. WHEN SHE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN ACCELERATED THROUGH THE PATH SHE HAD BACKED OUT OF AND CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A CONVENIENCE STORE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Equipment, Feb 11, 2010
I OWN A MAZDA3 2006. THE FOLLOWING ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE OCCURED SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE AND I WANTED EVERYBODY TO BE AWARE OF THEM: 1) THE DASHBOARD CLOCK WAS INCORRECT. IT WOULD LOSE TIME EVERY DAY AND STARTED GOING BACK IN TIME. WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 2) THE TIRES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. NOT SURE WHY THEY WEAR OUT SO FAST, BUT I STOPPED USING THE GOODYEAR TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND GO WITH LONGER LASTING TIRES. 3) THE TIRE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS INCORRECTLY TELLING ME I HAD A PROBLEM. TOOK NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALERSIHP BUT WAS FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 4) THE RIGHT ENGINE BRACK UNDER THE HOOD WAS LOOSE. THEY HAPPENED TO FIND IT WHILE FIXING ANOTHER ISSUE. WAS NEVER CAUGHT IN THAT "FULL CIRCLE INSPECTION" THEY CLAIM THEY DO. AGAIN, FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 5) THE TEMPERATURE COOLANT HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. IT WAS NOT CLOSING. THIS CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON. FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 6) THE RUG UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WAS RIPPING EASILY AND WAS MOVING UNDER THE PEDAL. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED THE RIP. NEVER DID GET A NEW RUG THOUGH, ITS A LITTLE BENT BUT ISSUE HADNT OCCURED SINCE. *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
Power train, Feb 9, 2010
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC CAME TO A STANDSTILL. I WENT TO ACCELERATE AS THE CARS MOVED AND THEN I REALIZED MY ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND MY CAR WAS DEAD. I PUT IT IN PARK, TURNED THE KEY AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. BUT I NOTICED AS I WAS CRAWLING ALONG, MY CAR HAD A ROUGH IDLE. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND RPM SEEMED A LITTLE LOWER THAN USUAL AT IDLE. I FOUND OUT MY MOTOR MOUNT HAD GONE. DEALER REPLACED IT, HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WAS COVERED. GAVE OUT PRETTY QUICK IF YOU ASK ME - AT AROUND 55,000 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 9, 2010
CAR WAS DRIVING AS NORMAL. NOTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. WENT TO GO START UP THE CAR ONE MORNING TO GO TO WORK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT WAS NOT LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. I TURNED THE KEY, NOTHING HAPPENED. NO STARTER MOTOR GOING, NO CLICKING NOISE...JUST GOT NOTHING. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE COMPUTER THEY ATTACH TO MY CAR WAS GETTING NO READINGS - THERE WAS THE PROBLEM. MY ECU HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ECU. THANKFULLY I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THAT SAVED ME $1100+. BUT I'M AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN ONCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2009
2006 MAZDA 2I. PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET FAILURE. *TR
Structure, Nov 5, 2009
I AM FILLING THIS FORM OUT IN RESPONSE TO NEGLIGENCE AND FALSE ADVERTISING ON THE PART OF CLAY COOLEY OF DALLAS TEXAS. WHEN ME AND MY FIANCE WENT TO TRADE IN OUR CAR THE FORD DEALER (FIVE STAR FORD) RAN A AUTO CHECK AND FOUND THAT IT HAS FRAME DAMAGE AND WOULD NOT TAKE IT FOR LESS THAN 2000$ BUT WE OWED 14000$ SO WE COULD NEVER GET A LOAN ON ANOTHER CAR WITH THAT CARS REPORT. WHEN WE TALKED TO CLAY COOLEY WE TALKED TO ALEX SERANGA HE SAID WE COULD BRING THE CAR IN AND INSINUATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THE LOAN IF WE GOT ANOTHER CAR, BUT OF COURSE WHEN WE GOT THERE THEY WANTED TO US TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER CAR. ALSO THEY WOULD NOT TELL US WHAT THE AUCTION PAPER WORK SAID FOR THE CAR THEY TRIED TO SELL US AND REFUSED TO SHOW IT TO US. WHEN WE SHOWED THEM THE AUTO CHECK REPORT THAT SAYS THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED ON OUR CAR AND THEY BOUGHT AND SOLD IT KNOWINGLY FROM AUCTION WITH UNIBODY DAMAGE THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF AUTO CHECK. BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE AUTO CHECK WEBSITE I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES PROMOTED BY THE NADA SO THERE CAN BE LITTLE WAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THEM. PLEASE HELP ME I AND MY FAMILY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. THE CAR IS A 2006 MAZDA 3 *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2009, crash
I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE AND TELLING THIS HORRIFIC STORY. I WAS TRAVELING ALONE IN MY 2006 MAZDA3 ON I-95 TO LUMBERTON ON JUNE 27, 2009 TO MEET MY SISTER AND PICK UP MY MOM WHO HAD BEEN STAYING WITH HER WHILE I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEK. I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON ABOUT 63 MPH AND HAD BEEN TRAVELING BEHIND A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK FOR APPROX. TWO MILES BEFORE I REACHED MY EXIT. I PULLED OVER INTO THE EXIT LANE AND HIT MY BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED! I HIT THEM AGAIN AND NOTHING. I HIT MY ON/OFF CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THE DECELERATION SWITCHES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND HIT MY HORN AND ENTERED A FIVE LANE INTERSECTION AT THE END OF AN UPHILL EXIT RAMP ON A RED LIGHT DOING IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH!!! I KNEW I WAS GOING TO DIE OR BE PHYSICALLY INJURED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHO I WOULD TAKE WITH ME AS I HAD NO WAY TO SLOW OR STOP THE CAR. LOOKING BACK, I KNOW I HAD NO MORE THAN 10 OR 12 SECONDS TO REACT BEFORE I WAS AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP GOING THAT FAST. I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION TO AVOID CARS THAT WERE ENTERING AND I THINK MY CAR SPUN AROUND AND I WAS HIT BY A PICKUP TRUCK IN THE INNER LANE WHO PROBABLY HAD NO IDEA WHERE I CAME FROM. I THEN WENT HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, THE ONE I HIT HEAD-ON WAS TOTALED BUT THE PICKUP TRUCK WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT. ALL OF US WERE ABLE TO WALK AWAY - ME VERY SHAKILY. I HAD SEATBELT BRUISES AND AIR BAG BURNS AND ALL OF MY MUSCLES WERE SORE, BUT I AM GETTING BETTER EACH DAY. I STILL HAVE PAIN AND TIGHTNESS IN MY CHEST AREA, BUT FROM WHAT I AM LEARNING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF INJURY IT MAY STAY WITH ME FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. NOTHING BROKEN AND NOTHING SO FAR THAT I CAN'T LIVE WITH. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY NERVES ARE SHATTERED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO HAPPEN TO OTHERS!!! *TR
Tires, Apr 14, 2009
BOUGHT MY 2006 MAZDA3 NEW. I AM GETTING READY TO REPLACE MY TIRES FOR THE FOURTH TIME! I WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE AT LEAST 120,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT THIS POINT BUT ONLY HAVE 90,000. I AM A CONSERVATIVE DRIVER IN A MILD CLIMATE. I ROTATE, BALANCE AND ALIGN REGULARLY BUT EACH SET HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM...REAR TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE. ADDITIONALLY, SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD MY REAR BRAKES REPLACED TWICE...FRONT BRAKES STILL ORIGINAL. THE BALANCE OF PRESSURE BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OF WAY OFF. THE REAR BRAKES TAKE MOST OF THE PRESSURE. HAVE REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND SIMPLE TOLD THE VEHICLE HAS NO PROBLEMS. THESE ISSUES HAVE BECOME A HUGE EXPENSE AND WOULD AT THE VERY LEAST LIKE TO HEAR MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND OFFER A SOLUTION. *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