2010 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 686 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 18 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SeatsFeb 9, 2017
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.
If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
Campaign 17V082000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 6, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemApr 16, 2009
MAZDA IS RECALLING 25,400 MY 2010 MAZDA3 VEHICLES. A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE HARNESS AND THE HOUSING OF STARTER MOTOR MAY BE INSUFFICIENT. DUE TO THIS, THE COVERING OF THE HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED THROUGH VIBRATION DURING OPERATION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT-CIRCUIT BETWEEN CERTAIN HARNESS WIRES AND THE STARTER HOUSING. A SHORT-CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND/OR POOR SHIFT QUALITY.
THE MAIN FUSE MAY BLOW OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND INABILITY OF RESTART, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS INSPECT AND ADD A PROTECTOR CLIP ON THE AFFECTED SECTION OF THE HARNESS. IF NECESSARY, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Campaign 09V126000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
50 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2017
AT LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. CAR HAS SHIFT ISSUE. IT CAN'T GO HIGHER SPEED EVEN I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL. IT HAS CLUTCH SOUND EVERY TIME I SHIFT THE GEAR STICK. MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAPPENS RIGHT AFTER I START THE CAR. AND THE ISSUE CONTINES ALL THE TIME.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 7, 2017
THE CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK DUE TO THE SHIFT LOCK NOT RELEASING PROPERLY, AND THE STOP LIGHTS AND HORN ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AS WELL. THIS SEAMS TO BE TYPICAL OF THE MAZDA3'S DUE TO THE HORN SHORTING THE FUSE AND THE BRAKE SWITCH GOING BAD, AND DEFINITELY MAKES THE CAR MORE ACCIDENT PRONE. OTHERS SEAM TO REPORT THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING DUE TO THE SAME FUSE BEING USED FOR STOP LIGHTS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Wheels, Jun 4, 2017
ONE OF THE TWO ELECTRICALS BROKE LOOSE THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY THAT STARTS THE CAR. MY CAR LITERALLY STALLED OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I WAS ALMOST HIT BECAUSE OF THAT. ANOTHER ISSUE IS MY RIGHT BACK TIRE. ONE OF THE LUG NUTS WON'T COME OFF AND THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY TIRE, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE LIGHT ON THE CEILING OF MY CAR BROKE. THE WIRES ARE EXPOSED. MY DASHBOARD IN MY CAR IS ALSO MELTING.
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2016
MY MAZDA 3 WILL NOT START. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE A ME A DESCRIPTION OF MY ISSUE AND RESOLUTION (MY ISSUE: BATTERY CABLE SHORTED AND SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO A DEFAULT WIRE HARNESS). I GOOGLED THE PART NUMBER AND I NOTICED A RECALL ON MY CAR RELATED TO THE SAME EXACT PART. RECALL # 09V12600 MAZDA IS NOW TELLING ME MY ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW IT HAS BEEN RECALLED. MY CONFUSION IS AS FOLLOWS; THE ISSUE IS THE SAME, THE RESOLUTION IS THE SAME, THE PART NUMBER IS THE SAME, THE VEHICLE IS THE SAME (MODEL AND YEAR). I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING MY ISSUE. MAZDA IS CHARGING $1400 FOR THE FIX, I AM LOOKING ANY HELP FROM NHTSA PLEASE, TO HELP RESOLVE MY ISSUE AND HAVE MY ISSUE BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE RECALL STATES POTENTIAL IMPACT OF 25,400 VEHICLES (LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN FOR MORE OR LESS VEHICLES). I AM LUCKY THE SHORT DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE, I NEED YOUR HELP TO ENSURE THE ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN. LOOKING FOR ANY GOOD FAITH THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2016
I HAVE TWO REMOTES FOR THE CAR. THEY BOTH WORK JUST FINE UNTIL LAST WEEK. ONE KEY WOULDN'T START THE CAR THE SECURITY LOCK SYMBOL SHOW UP. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP THE RADIO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AS WELL. BUT IT WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE INSERT THE OTHER KEY TO TURN ON THE CAR. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE OTHER KEY WOULDN'T WORK. IT'S DOES THE AS THE OTHER KEY. I HAVE TO CARRY BOTH SETS JUST IN CASE ONE WOULD WORK.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RADIO ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN FUSE HAD SHORT CIRCUITED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2016
THE RADIO VOLUME CONTROL CAN NOT TURN OFF. IF CLICK THE VOLUME KNOB TO TURN OFF, THE VOLUME BECOME 10 TIMES LOUDER. WHEN THE RADIO VOLUME IS AT "ON" STATE, ONLY LEFT DOOR BOSE HAS SOUND. WHEN THE RADIO VOLUME IS AT "OFF" STATE, THE SOUND LEVEL IS 10 TIMES LOUDER IN LEFT REAR BOSE SPEAKER. SOME TIMES, WHEN RADIO IS ON, IT COULD AUTOMATICALLY JUMP TO 10 TIMES LOUDER BY ITSELF.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2016
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN OFF TRACK AND DOES NOT CLOSE AS IT SHOULD. FURTHER, WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FINGER FROM THE AUTOMATIC "UP" BUTTON, THE WINDOW WILL AUTOMATICALLY ROLL DOWN AFTER RELEASING THE BUTTON (AS IF IT HAS A LIFE OF IT'S OWN). THIS IS A WINDOW MOTOR OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ... CITY OR HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, IT FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AND WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF FAILED TO CLOSE, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE INTERNAL SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 14, 2015
VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE RUNNING ON HIGHWAY,INMOVILIZING ALL SYSTEMS. TAKEN TO SHOP SCANNED FOR TROUBLE ,CODE U0100 WAS DETECTED.RECALL FOR WIRING WAS CHECKED WIRING IS OK. REPLACED BURN OUT PARTS TAKEN TO TEST SAME PROBLEM ARISE.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Apr 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD A STICKY RESIDUE OR FILM THAT WAS BUILDING UP. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO UNBUCKLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE BUCKLE. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S CHARGER TO BECOME STUCK AND UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION NEAR THE CONSOLE OF THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR MALFUNCTION IN WHICH THE GAUGES, SENSORS, AND WARNING LAMPS FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE RADIO WAS SHORTING INTERMITTENTLY. LATER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2014
MOISTURE HAS ENTERED BOTH HEAD LAMPS CAUSING FAILURE OF BULBS AND HID CONTROL UNITS. COMPLETE LIGHTING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2014
WHEN THE TRUNK OR DOOR IS INADVERTENTLY LEFT OPEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. THIS COULD LEAVE THE DRIVER STRANDED. IF JUMP STARTED AND BATTERY IS NOT FULLY CHARGED THIS COULD CAUSE INCREASED STRESS ON THE ALTERNATOR WHICH COULD LEAD TO COSTLY REPLACEMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 21, 2014
CONDENSATION FORMS IN HEADLIGHT HOUSING CAUSING HID MODULE TO SHORT CIRCUIT AND HEADLIGHT TO FAIL. SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING VISIBILITY COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE BLAME FOR FAULTY CONSTRUCTION LEADING TO MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN CONSUMER HAVING TO PAY FULL COST OF HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND NEW HID MODULE. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Dec 16, 2013
2010 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES, SOFTNESS OF THE BRAKE AND RESURFACING ROTORS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A VISUAL INSPECTION REVEALED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY, AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. ALSO, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED.
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2013
VEHICLE LOST POWER MULTIPLE TIMES SHUDDERING ON THE ROAD. FAULTY WIRING HARNESS WAS DISCOVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS ISSUE WAS PRESENT ON PREVIOUSLY PRODUCED MAZDA 3S FOR THE YEAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR VIN DIDN'T FALL INTO THE PRODUCTION NUMBERS FOR THE RECALL. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE PRESENT ON MORE CARS THAN JUST THE 25,000 THAT WERE RECALLED IN 2009. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA3 . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF ALL OF THE PANEL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *TR
Electrical system, May 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDASPEED3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2012
ON AUGUST 29TH WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2010 MAZDA 3, GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND ALL THE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I TRIED TO RE-START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON STEADY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT, WHICH WAS FLASHING RED. IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE BECAUSE THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WORKED FINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALER. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ACCESS THE PCM TO READ THE ERROR CODE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED, AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE PCM. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND COMPLAINED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PCM FAILURE DOES NOT RELATE TO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. THIS IS SIMILAR TO COMPLAIN #10461029. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AGAIN, AND I WOULD LIKE MAZDA TO TAKE IT BACK. IT ONLY HAS 23000 MILES, AND I HAVE ANOTHER 6 MONTH TO GO ON MY LEASE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Mar 12, 2012
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, PURCHASED BRAND NEW. IN JANUARY 2010. THE HEATER WHEN TURNING ON, MADE A LOUD CLICKING SOUND FOR APPROX. 20- 30 SECONDS, EACH TIME. UPON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, LOCAL MECHANICS, I FOUND OUT THE HEATER BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR IS THE PROBLEM. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE IT, BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS HEATER ASSEMBLY IS NOT ONLY USED BY MAZDA, NISSAN, TOYOTA, CHEVY, FORD, AND LEXUS. THIS IS HEATER IS KNOWN TO HAVE THIS DESIGN ERROR. ALSO THE DEALER HAD UNPLUGGED THE HEATER BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR BECAUSE THIS UNIT IS KNOWN TO START A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS MADE ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2012
MAZDA HAS ISSUES WITH CONDENSATION IN FRONT LIGHTS AND REAL LIGHTS LEADING TO EXCESSIVE WATER BUILDING UP IN LIGHT CAVITY. THE WATER RESTRICTS LIGHT AND HAS SHORTED OUT HEADLIGHT BULB ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ISSUE AT NIGHT AS I AM DRIVING. MAZDA AND DEALER REFUSE TO FIX SIGHTING BULLETIN FROM MAZDA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOT TO FIX UNLESS LIGHT ENCLOSURE IS FULL OF WATER. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 12, 2010, crash
CAR FAILED TO START. MAZDA SENT TOW TRUCK. TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. TOW TRUCK OPERATOR DECLINED TO TOW THE CAR AND SENT DRIVER HOME. LATER THAT DAY THE WHEEL LOCKED, POWER BRAKES FAILED AND DRIVER ROLLED INTO A DITCH. DRIVER TURNED OFF IGNITION, UNLOCKED STEERING WHEEL, BACKED CAR OUT OF DITCH AND CALLED MAZDA FOR ANOTHER TOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAY OF DELIVERY, THE SALESMAN HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR AND REQUESTED A TECHNICIAN MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENT TO THE IGNITION. THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE ADJUSTMENTS, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO WORK FINE. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE A CABLE WAS BENT, WHICH WAS PROHIBITING THE VEHICLE FROM BEING RECOGNIZED IN PARK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IT. UPDATED IVOQ 08/19/10*JB UPDATED IVOQ 08/20/10*JB *TR