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.
Suspension, Feb 7, 2009
THE "FACTORY SPEC" NEGATIVE CAMBER SETTINGS ON THE MAZDA 3 CAUSED MY TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD EVEN WITH REGULAR TIRE ROTATIONS. BY THE TIME I HAD 30,000 MILES ON THE FACTORY TOYO TIRES THE INSIDE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY BALD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2009
UPPER PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SHOCK MOUNT ON MAZDA 3 AT 37K MILES. SHOCK MOUNT TORE LEAKING OIL AND CAUSING VIBRATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 14, 2009, fire
2006 MAZDA 3 WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY AND GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GET UNSTUCK AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE STREET. THE CAR STOPPED IN BACK OF ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS STOPPED, AND BRIEFLY GOT STUCK AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED GOING AGAIN, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED THERE WERE FLAMES, AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE DEPARTMENT ENDED UP GOING UP IN FLAMES. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR ENDED UP (LATER IN JANUARY 2009) AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER, AND ALL THEY CAN SAY IS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS ALL STOCK. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, AS IT IS A 2006 MODEL. THIS DOESN'T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE TO ME. ALSO, I AM MOST CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD LOOK INTO THE INCIDENT A LITTLE MORE. OVERHEATING, POSSIBLY, BUT NOT AN OUT AND OUT FIRE THAT BURNED AND MELTED ALMOST THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF WHAT HAPPENED AND WHERE WE ARE AT NOW. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jan 8, 2009
2006 MAZDA 3 ALIGNMENT ISSUE RUINING NEW TIRES. NOW MAZDA CLAIMS I NEED A $900 FRONT ALIGNMENT REPAIR, BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY????? I'VE GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF TIRES IN 50,000 MILES??? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. AT 5,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE THE FACTORY FAILED TO PLACE OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT NEED AN OIL CHANGE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE ENGINE UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE $7,500 REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Nov 24, 2008, crash
LAST WEEK, AFTER CLIPPING AND GOING OVER A 2 INCH CURB WITH MY LEFT WHEEL TO AVOID ANOTHER CAR IN A PARKING LOT, MY 2006 MAZDA M3 ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. IN THE END, I SWIPED TWO CARS AND HIT A CEMENT WALL HEAD ON. THIS STOPPED THE CAR AND THANKFULLY I AM ALIVE. HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANY MALFUNCTIONS OF THIS KIND AND HOW DO I GET IT ESCALATED TO MAZDA OR OTHERS TO ENSURE CORRECTIVE ACTION? UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ
Tires, Nov 9, 2008
DESPITE A MAZDA RE-ALIGNMENT WHEN CAR WAS NEW, AND CONSTANT TIRE ROTATION, 3 TIRES HAVE UNEVEN TREAD WEAR ON INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ENGAGES CONSTANTLY FOR NO REASON. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE AND/OR REPAIR. FIRST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE COMPLAINT WAS LODGED 7/25/06 AT 5,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Oct 24, 2008
2006 MAZDA 3 WARRANTY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE DEALERSHIP. LATER THAT DAY, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CLUTCH HAD BLOWN AND THEY SUSPECTED DRIVER ABUSE BASED ON THE TREAD WEAR OF THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, PILOT BEARING AND FLYWHEEL WERE NEEDED. *JB
Tires, Oct 24, 2008
2006 MAZDA 3 TIRES. ALREADY NEED NEW TIRES AT 30K MILES, THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WAY TOO QUICKLY. I WOULD EXPECT TIRES TO LAST 40K-50K MILES BEFORE NEEDING NEW TIRES. *TR
Suspension, Sep 28, 2008
BOUGHT A MAZDA 3 2006. AT AROUND 17,000 MILES I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. AFTER COMPLAINING SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER, I WAS REFERRED TO THE TOYO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE WARRANTY. I RAN INTO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THEM IN HONORING THE WARRANTY AND ENDED UP BUYING 4 NEW FIRESTONE TIRES AT 21,000 MILES. AGAIN AT AROUND 20,000 MILES, I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAD THE TIRES ALIGNED, ROTATED AND BALANCED EVERY 3,000-6,000 MILES AND NOTHING IMPROVED THE WEAR OF THE TIRES. NEITHER THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP NOR THE MAIN MAZDA OFFICES WERE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OR FIND A SOLUTION. I FINALLY TRADED THE CAR IN 2008 AND DON?T PLAN TO EVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA IN MY LIFE. I HAVE READ BLOGS ON BOTH THE MAZDA 3 AND MAZDA 6 WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. UNLESS ONE IS RICH AND CAN AFFORD TIRES EVERY 17,000 MILES, IT IS NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE YOU INCUR. YOU WILL BE ZOOM ZOOMING EVERY 17,000 MILES TO A TIRE STORE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 9, 2008
2006 MAZDA 3 HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SPACE AND HEIGHT BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, HE INADVERTENTLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD AND REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY TAPPED THE OTHER VEHICLES BUMPER. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 1, 2008
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM TRACY MAZDA IN JUNE OF 2006. IN APRIL OF 2008 I STARTED HEARING A SLIGHT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS WAS SHORTLY AFTER THE LAST OIL CHANGE WHICH WAS DONE BY SPEEDEE OIL CHANGERS. THE MILEAGE WAS 25,675, 4/18/08, WHEN SPEEDEE CHANGED THE OIL AND IT WAS 26,402, 4/25/08,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO TRACY MAZDA SO THEY COULD CHECK ON THE TICKING NOISE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FINALLY GOT BACK TO ME SEVERAL DAYS LATER AND SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A ROD KNOCK FROM CYL #1. THEY ASKED FOR THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS WHICH I THEN PROVIDED, EXCEPT FOR ONE OIL CHANGE WHICH I HAD PERFORMED MYSELF ( MINUS THE FILTER WHICH REQUIRED A SPECIAL TOOL). ON 5/13/08 TRACY MAZDA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. IT WAS GOING TO COST ME APPROXIMATELY $6,000.00 TO FIX A CAR THAT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE 30,000 MILES ON IT. I DECLINED TO HAVE THEM FIX IT RIGHT THEN AND WENT AND GOT THE CAR. I HAD THE FIRST TWO OIL CHANGES PERFORMED AT TRACY MAZDA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE NEXT WAS PERFORMED BY SPEEDEE OIL CHANGERS. AFTER THAT I CHANGED THE OIL MYSELF. THE FIFTH OIL CHANGE WAS ON 4/18/08, WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO SPEED. THE MILEAGE BETWEEN THE TWO SPEED CHANGES WAS 14,458. I PERFORMED ONE OIL CHANGE BETWEEN THE TWO DOCUMENTED WHICH WOULD MAKE IT APPROXIMATELY 7,200 MILES BETWEEN THE TWO. THIS IS A LITTLE MORE THAN WHAT IS SUGGESTED BETWEEN OIL CHANGES BUT NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT MAZDA DECLINING WARRANTY REPAIR. I PLAN ON TAKING THIS UP WITH MAZDA'S UPPER MANAGEMENT IN HOPES THEY MIGHT MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR
Tires, Jun 9, 2008
TOYO BRAND TIRES P205/55 R16 SIZE INSTALLED ON NEW 2006 MAZDA 3 WERE INFERIOR LEADING UP TO PREMATURE WEAR OF RUBBER ON TIRE TO THE POINT OF SHOWING SAFETY BAR UNDER WORN TREAD AT ONLY 20,000 MILES. TIRES WERE PROPERLY ROTATED AT PRESCRIBED INTERVALS AND PROPER TIRE INFLATION WAS MONITORED REGULARLY SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. DEALERSHIP AND TOYO TIRE STATE 20,000 MILES IS NORMAL WEAR. WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIPS SELLING EXACT BRAND OF TIRE THEY CLAIMED 40,000 MILES SHOULD BE EXPECTED. I ALSO NOTICE SOME BRANDS OF TOYO TIRES WERE RECALLED ON YOUR WEBSITE. WHEN I MENTIONED THAT TO TOYO SERVICE REP. @ 1-800-442-8696 HE STATED NONE OF THEIR TIRES HAVE EVER BEEN RECALLED AND YOUR WEBSITE CONTAINS BAD INFORMATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2008
ENGINE HAS FAILED AFTER 41,000 MILES. BAD LOWER ROD. MAZDA WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Suspension, Feb 18, 2008
2006 MAZDA 3 FRONT TIRES RUB AND WEAR UNEVEN. THE CAR CUT A DEEP GOUGE ON THE INSIDE OF EACH FRONT TIRE. *TR
Tires, Dec 10, 2007
I PURCHASED A MAZDA 3 NEW IN APRIL OF 2006. BETWEEN 20,000 - 30,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AT 32,225 MILES, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW. THE RUBBER WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE RIM, AND THE OUTER TREAD WAS STILL IN ONE PIECE. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL JUST EXPLODED. THESE TIRES ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES IN FEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE A NEW INCIDENT AND NOT BE AS FORTUNATE (INJURIES OR DAMAGE WITH THIS BLOW OUT). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 29, 2007
MY 2006 MAZDA 3 IS EXPERIENCING GREATLY ACCELERATED REAR BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR, BOTH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BY 38K MILES. THIS IS AT LEAST 3X FASTER WEAR THAN NORMAL. FRONT BRAKES SHOW LITTLE WEAR AND LOOK TO LAST UP TO 100K MILES. COULD THIS PROBLEM BE THE RESULT OF IMPROPER FRONT/REAR BRAKE BIAS OR DEFECTIVE PARTS/MATERIALS? COULD THIS SITUATION LEAD TO IMPROPER/UNSAFE BRAKING PERFORMANCE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS? *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2007, crash, fire
2006 MAZDA 3 DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP SHORT-CIRCUITED RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL FIRE IMMEDIATELY AFTER MINOR COLLISION. FIRE QUICKLY STARTED TO SPREAD DAMAGING RADIATOR SUPPORT AND FUSE BOX. PARTS REPLACED IN BODY SHOP. BODY SHOP SAID THESE CARS TEND TO CATCH FIRE WHEN COLLIDING IN THAT SPECIFIC AREA. *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.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 29, 2007
ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I WAS USING THE CURSIE CONTROL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF AND THE SPEED JUST KEPT CLIMING UNTIL I TURNED THE CURISE CONTROL OFF. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN MAY 2007. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON JUNE,2007. *AK
Tires, Apr 23, 2007
THE OEM TIRES FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE TERRIBLE IN SNOWY WEATHER. THE FIRST SNOWSTORM WE HAD I CALLED MY DEALER BECAUSE I WAS SLIDING ALL OVER LIKE A SNOWBOARD. I WAS TOLD I SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ALL-WEATHER TIRES, BUT SUGGESTED I PURCHASE SNOW TIRES, WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. IF I HAD KNOWN THE MAZDA 3 WAS SO TERRIBLE IN THE SNOW I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. *JB
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
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2007
TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL POORLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A FLASHLIGHT TO SEE THE PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY WER UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. *AK
Tires, Feb 14, 2007, crash
I PURCHASED A NEW MAZDA 3 IN MAY OF 2006. I LIVE NEAR CLEVELAND OHIO WHERE WE CAN HAVE SOME BAD WINTER WEATHER. IN DECEMBER, WE HAD ONE OF THE FIRST SNOW STORMS. MY CAR HAD 6,200 MILES. THE ROADS WERE WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO HAVE A LIGHT SNOW COVERING. THE TIRES THAT ARE SOLD OEM ON THIS CAR ARE RATED AS ALL SEASON, SO I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, AND SLIDE SIDEWAYS FOR ABOUT 50' THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A 5' DEEP DITCH. MY CAR HAD ABOUT $1,400 IN DAMAGE, WHICH THE INSURANCE PAID FOR (STATE FARM). I AM A MATURE DRIVER LIVING IN THIS TYPE OF WEATHER FOR MANY YEARS. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A VEHICLE THAT HANDLED SO BADLY IN THE SNOW. THIS VEHICLE WITH THE TIRE COMBINATION AS SOLD IS UNSAFE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS REVIEWS CLAIMING HOW POOR THE TIRES ARE IN WINTER WEATHER. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH MAZDA, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. THE CASE NUMBER IS 110849660. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE SOLD THIS THESE OEM TIRES IN THE AREA THAT I LIVE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I CHANGE THE TIRES. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD REPLACE THEM FOR ME BECAUSE I BOUGHT A CAR THAT HAS ALL SEASON TIRES THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. AS NOTED, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE WITH THE OEM TIRES. *NM
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