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.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2007
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO MY MAZDA3 THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO YOUR CERTIFIED MAZDA REPAIR CENTER 5 (FIVE) TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS OF REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE SAFETY AND VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SITUATION RESOLVED AT ONCE SO THAT I CAN GO ON WITH MY LIFE WITHOUT THE WORRY OF PAYING FOR A LEMON CAR AND STOP HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND IN A RENTAL CAR THAT IS LESS FUEL EFFICIENT AND LESS COMFORTABLE THAN MY CAR. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR REASONS I REQUESTED SERVICE FOR MY CAR: 1. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. 2. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON AN ONCOMING RAMP OF RT. 202 TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD HARDLY PULL THE CAR OVER BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TOO HEAVY TO OPERATE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. 3. ANOTHER MAJOR REASON FOR MY SAFETY WORRIES IS THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON CONSTANTLY. AFTER AN EXPERT VISIT, I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE GETTING A NEW CAR. 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE PAPERWORK PROCESSES WAS COMPLETED A NEW CAR WAS READY FOR ME TO PICK UP, SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I HAD TO PAY $2,300 IN ORDER TO TAKE THE NEW CAR. THEN THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD BY YOU ON THE PHONE THAT THE DEAL WAS CANCELLED BY MAZDA BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THIS UNFAIR RESOLUTION. THEN THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP PERSONALLY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO PURCHASE MY CAR, SELL IT TO ANOTHER CONSUMER AND THEN SELL ME A NEW CAR. THERE ARE TWO THINGS UNETHICAL ABOUT THIS: 1. YOU CANNOT SELL A CAR WITH SAFETY DEFECTS TO ANOTHER CONSUMER. 2. YOU CANNOT LEAVE ME WITH NO OPTION BUT TO TRADE IN MY CAR AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR WHEN THIS CAR IS A LEMON. BASED ON THE PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL DESCRIPTION MY CAR IS A LEMON CAR. I FEEL THAT I HAVE DONE ALL THAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE IN THIS MATTER AND HAVE YET TO SEE ANY RESULTS. *JB
Seats, Feb 2, 2007, crash
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER TO FAIL. THE SEAT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.THIS CRASH HAPPENED UNDER WET CONDITIONS. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB
Power train, Nov 18, 2006
SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, IT IS VERY ROUGH. VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF WEATHER IT IS OUTSIDE NOR DOES IT MATTER IF THE ENGINE IS WARM OR COLD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES AND NO PARTICULAR TIME OF THE DAY. *NM
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Sep 11, 2006
THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2006 MAZDA3 I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THE REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THEY WERE GRINDING SO LOUD I COULD HEAR THEM OVER THE RADIO ON LEVEL 2 IN VOLUME. I SHOULD NOT HEAR THEM AT ALL!! I HAD UNDER 30 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GENTLEMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THIS IS VERY COMMON , THAT ALL DO IT. I AM SORRY , I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE HAPPENING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS DONE THAT UNLESS THE BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS DIDN'T NEED REPLACED. NOW, 2 MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES ARE STILL DOING IT, AND SEEM TO BE EVEN LOUDER WITH A SMALL SQUEAK ADDED IN. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 4, 2006
MY 2004 MAZDA 3 IS EXPERIENCING GREATLY ACCELERATED REAR BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR, BOTH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BY 32K MILES. THIS IS AT LEAST 3X FASTER WEAR THAN NORMAL. FRONT BRAKES SHOW LITTLE WEAR AND LOOK TO LAST UP TO 100K MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS SAY NOT. MANY '04 AND '05 MAZDA 3 OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. 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? *NM
Air bags, Aug 29, 2006, crash
1. VEHICLE (06 MAZDA3) INVOLVED IN 70+ MPH FREEWAY ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED VEHICLE. 2. VEHICLE TOOK HEAVY IMPACT(S) FRONT (MULTIPLE) AND REAR. 3. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NM
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2006
AFTER USING AN EXTERNAL GPS 2-3 WEEKS AGO, THE CLOCK, REMOTE LOCKS, RADIO, AND OUTDOOR TEMP. GAUGE FAILED. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN THE DEALER 'COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM.' THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS OCCURRED NO EXTERNAL DEVICES WERE USED. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL OR SERVICE ADVISORY. *JB
Power train, Aug 16, 2006
2006 MAZDA 3 GOES INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTED INTO FOURTH GEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THERE IS NO MECHANICAL ISOLATION BETWEEN THE 4TH GEAR AND REVERSE. *NM
Power train, Aug 10, 2006
WHILE DRIVING IN "MANUAL" MODE ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION COULD ALSO BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAR, AS IF THE ENTIRE CAR WERE "WOBBLING". DROVE STRAIGHT HOME; HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT HAS BEEN (AS OF TODAY) FOR ELEVEN (11) DAYS. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED ME THAT THEY ARE CALLING IT "INTERNAL AXLE FAILURE" ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS, WHICH THEY SAY WILL TAKE ANOTHER FEW WEEKS TO COME IN; THE CAR IS SO NEW THERE AREN'T ANY AVALIABLE PARTS FOR IT?!? *NM
Wheels, Jul 19, 2006
HAD A RIM ON A MAZDA 3 COME APART AFTER HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH THE RIM CLEARLY HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE TO CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE FOR SUCH MINIMAL IMPACT. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE EXCEPT BUY A NEW DEFECTIVE RIM TO REPLACE THE OLD DEFECTIVE RIM. *NM
Structure, Electrical system, Jul 18, 2006
THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY PANEL IS VERY POOR-TO READ IT REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD TOO LONG WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD MY DEALER RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT STATES THERE IS NO "FACTORY BULLETIN" TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 28, 2006
IN THE MONTH OF MARCH, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT IN THE FIRST MORNING THE CAR WOULD HESITATE TO START. CONTACTED MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER IN RENO AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH NEVADA GAS. ON JUNE 17TH, WHILE VISITING LAS VEGAS, THE CARS ENGINE STALLED WHILE IN GEAR ON THE FREEWAY, IT TOOK TWO ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR. I RETURNED TO RENO, AND CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE THREE MAJOR COMPONETS, THAT WERE ALL LINKED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAVE NO ANSWERS OR SOLUTIONS. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2006
I AM THE OWNER OF A MAZDA 3 2006. BOUGHT THE CAR 1 MONTH AGO AND JUST TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SIMPLY STOP WHILE IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SIMPLY CRASHED AND A NEW ONE NEEDS TO BE ORDER. WHEN I ASK THE REASON FOR THE COMPUTER CRASH, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HOT. HIGHEST TEMPERATURE REACHED THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WAS 90 DEGREES. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO EXPLAIN CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND TO REQUEST A VEHICLE EXCHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INCIDENT NEEDS TO OCCUR MORE THAN ONCE TO BE CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. *NM
Structure, May 23, 2006
2006 MAZDA 3 MAKES A NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TS THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR AN ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT EH PROBLEM WAS NOT MECHANICAL AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE BODY SHOP FOR SEVEN WEEKS. THEY CLAIM THAT THE UNIBODY WELD HAD TO BE REPAIRED BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *NM
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