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: seats
106 reports, newest first. Show all
Seats, Feb 18, 2025
This vehicle is subject to recall #: 17V-082 referring to a drivers seat lifter link than can break. My car has a broken lifter link, was brought to the dealership and instead of replacing the entire seat adjuster unit like the recall states, they simply installed a reinforcement bracket. When brought back to Med Center Mazda they state it has already been repaired and therefore cannot be repaired again. The vehicle still has a broken seat lifter link.
Seats, Aug 2, 2023
Monday 7/10/2023 car was fine ie (the seat) next day Tues 7/11/2023 opened drivers side door couldn’t believe my eyes. The driver seat had somehow migrated clear up to an inch from my chest to the steering wheel. I called Maple Shade Turnersville to make an appointment-wasn’t able to get in until 7/20/2023. I was told I had to return on 7/24/2023. Did that. Appt was 7:30AM. Was given a loaner car. At around 10:30 Am Mazda Tuenersville called to ask me to return the loaner (?). When I arrived Pat Kearny told me he couldn’t do anything to help with the car seat. Told me my car was too old that they didn’t make parts for my 2010 Mazda 3 for the already recalled seat problems. Now I’m in a big bind. My steering wheel is one inch from my chest. I am very upset what happened here.
Electrical system, Seats, Jul 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated upon opening the driver's side door, she noticed that the front driver's side seat had independently moved closer to the steering wheel. The contact stated that the seat failed to move back to the original position after several attempts. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to squeeze herself into the seat and drove to the dealer, who informed the contact that the driver's side seat bolts needed to be broken to move the seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082000 (Seats); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2020
I BELIEVE THAT (RECALL CAMPAIGN 0917B) SAFETY RECALL APPLIES TO MY 2010 MAZDA3 GT, ALTHOUGH IT TOOK OVER 2.5 YEARS TO OCCUR (AUGUST 2017) THE COMPLETE FALLOUTS DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL NOW...(DECEMBER 2020) INITIALLY, FELT A POP IN MY BACK (FROM THE FRAME?) WHILE I WAS DRIVING, PULLED OVER AND THE SEATS MOVED FINE SO DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF. MEANWHILE, A DISTINCT RATTLING OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BEHIND ME. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (PAID THEIR SPECIAL SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF ($165+) WITH 'MASTER TECHNICIANS' WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS SEAT RECALL, YET, FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT OR EVEN LOOKED IF YOU ASK ME, YET WANTED ME TO CORRECT THE NOISE BY BY INSTALLING BOTH FRONT AND REAR NEW SUSPENSION (~$1000). TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SUSPENSION SPECIALIST AND FOUND ONLY ONE (1) PART OF THE SUSPENSION THAT MAY HAVE REQUIRED CORRECTING BUT WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. I ASKED IF THE REMAINING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE SAFE AND IF THEY WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. AND THEY SAID'NO' ONLY ONE (1), AND IT WAS BARELY DAMAGED, BUT I REPLACED IT ANYWAY. TOOK IT BACK FOR AN OIL CHANGE SINCE THEY WERE TREATING ME HONESTLY. TWO DAYS LATER, AS I WAS LEAVING MY WORK, THE SEAT FELL OFF THE RIGHT RAIL AS I WAS DRIVING. IN RETROSPECT, THE PUSH NUTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE POPPED OFF AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRAME HAS LOST ITS INTEGRITY, SO I SAT ASKEW. UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY UNLESS A PIECE OF WOOD IS HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE RAIL. IS IT POSSIBLE TO STILL REPAIR MY CAR'S DRIVER'S SEAT UNDER THE AFOREMENTIONED SAFETY RECALL? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING AND AM WITHOUT OPTIONS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE HELP!!
Seats, Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2020
THERE WAS A POP I FELT IN MY BACK AS I WAS DRIVING (JULY 2017) I NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. DUE TO MY WORK, I HAD MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANY DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE HAD MY DASH REPLACED (WESCOTT, NATIONAL CITY, CA) BUT NO ONE MENTIONED THE SEAT PROBLEM THAT I CAN RECALL. NOW IT IS DECEMBER 2020 AND THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT HAS BROKEN? WHILE DRIVING I SIT ASKEW THE RIGHT HALF OF MY BODY IS LOWER THAN THE OTHER. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER SEAT WHEN THIS WAS AN ACTIVE RECALL NO MATTER THE DELAY.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2020
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS YOU CAN DO IT SO IT CAN BE FIX AND DRIVE RIGHT AND I YOU CAN COME AND GET IT AND I NEED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL MY IS FIX
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2020
EVERYTHING NEED'S TO BE REPAIR ON IT ASAP AS YOU CAN DO IT SO THE CAR CAN BE FIX
Seats, Jul 20, 2020
THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE FRAME OR SOMETHING, ROCKS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2020
MY DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO CLEAN AND HAS A CONSTANT VERY BAD GLARE THAT WONT GO AWAY, AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT TIMES. IT'S ALMOST AS IF ITS MELTING. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT AROUND 2 YEARS AGO. MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED SHIFT WHEN I TURN CORNERS, LAST WEEK 6/24/2020 AND I'M SCARED FOR MINE AND MY BABIES SAFETY AS I AM A NEW MOM, ALSO THE WELLBEING OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I DONT DRIVE IT MUCH UNLESS NEEDED, AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WORK FROM HOME.
Seats, May 1, 2020
MY DRIVER SEAT HAS SUBSTANTIAL UNWANTED MOVEMENT. I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE SEAT NOW MOVES 2" BACK AND FORTH WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THIS IS IMPAIRING MY ABILITY TO PROPERLY USE THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND MAINTAINING SPEED WITH THE GAS PEDAL.
Seats, Feb 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Seats, Nov 16, 2019
THE BRACE THAT CONNECTS THE BOTTOM OF THE SET TO THE MECHANISM THAT PIVOTS AS THE HEIGHT OF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED HAD A WELD THAT FAILED / CRACKED. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE 17V082000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN THAT EFFECTED THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR, EXCEPT THIS IS A POWER SEAT INSTEAD OF A MANUAL SEAT. THE PART THAT FAILED IS IN THE SAME LOCATION OF THE SEAT FRAME AND APPEARS TO SERVE THE SAME PURPOSE THAT WAS RECALLED UNDER 17V082000. THE RESULT IS THE SAME, THE SEAT IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND INCLINES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DRIVING POSITION.
Seats, Oct 1, 2019
2010 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PAYING FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *LD *JS
Electrical system, Seats, Aug 21, 2019
I'VE SCHEDULED THE RECALL REPAIRS THREE TIMES ,WITH THREE DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS, SINCE JUNE 2018, WHEN MY HATCHBACK SMASHED AGAINST MY HEAD (PICTURES ATTACHED). EACH TIME A DAY OR TWO BEFORE THE SCHEDULED RECALL REPAIRS EACH DEALERSHIP HAD CALLED AND CANCELED THE RECALL REPAIRS WITH NO AVAILABILITY ON A RESCHEDULE DATE AVAILABLE. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS TODAY AUGUST 21,2019 , THERE IS NO DATES AVAILABLE AT ANY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 100 MILES OF MY LOCATION FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR FROM NOW. SO IN MY OPINION THIS IS MAZDA COMPLETELY FAILING TO COMPLETE A TIMELY REPAIR ON MAZDA RECALLS. *TT *TR
Seats, Aug 15, 2019
MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS A BROKEN DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN 2017, BUT THE MAZDA SHOP CLAIMS MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR.
Structure, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
MY MAZDA 3 2010 HAS ABOUT 3 RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DO THE RECALLS SINCE LAST YEAR, BUT DUE TO MY SCHEDULE, I CANNOT MAKE IT DURING THE WEEKDAYS. NOW THIS MONTH, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RECALL LETTERS, I FOUND OUT I SHOULD DO THE RECALLS VERY SOON, BUT I HAD HARD TIME TO GET DAY OFF DURING THE WEEKDAYS, SO I WAS ASKING THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE ME FOR WEEKENDS. BUT THEY REFUSED. I KNOW THIS IS A FREE SERVICE, BUT HOW CAN THEY ONLY GIVE US SCHEDULE FOR WEEKDAYS AND REFUSE TO DO THE WORK FOR WEEKENDS. THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY. I DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR OFTEN, BUT I STILL WANT THIS TO BE DONE. I THINK IT IS WRONG THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE RECALLS SERVICE. I DON'T THINK THEY WILL REFUSE THE SERVICE THAT PAY THEM MONEY. VERY BAD EXPERIENCE! I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MONITOR THIS. BECAUSE THEY REFUSING THE WEEKENDS SERVICE, A LOT PEOPLE MAY HOLD OFF THEIR RECALLS JUST LIKE ME, WHICH MAY CAUSE PROBLEM FOR THE ROAD SAFETY. THE NAME OF THE DEALERSHIP IS: MARTIN MAZDA ADDRESS: 289 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711 PHONE:(302) 738-5200
Seats, Apr 26, 2019
THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE FRAME OR SOMETHING, ROCKS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR
Seats, Apr 22, 2019
POWER DRIVER SEAT FRAME CRACKED. THE PLASTIC PUSH PIN SCREW HOLDING SEAT FRAME TO FRAME SNAPPED OFF. THE SEAT IS READY TO BREAK OFF FROM CHASSIS MOUNT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MAZDA'S SUB-STANDARD SEAT FRAME MOUNTS. RECALL ISSUED FOR MANUAL SEAT FRAME, BUT NOT FOR THE POWERED SEAT FRAME.
Seats, Nov 20, 2018
SEAT TRACKS BROKEN - MAZDA USA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE REP SAID THAT THE DRIVER SEAT ASSEMBLY (TRACK, BOLTS, ETC...) IN MY 2010 MAZDA3 ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR AND DAMAGE FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN THE 68K MILES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW BACK IN AUG. OF '09. THE TRACK WAS REPLACED AFTER 34K MILES. NOW 34K MILES LATER, THE TRACK IS BROKEN AGAIN AND I HAVE A QUOTE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MAZDA IS STATING THIS TYPE OF WEAR AND DAMAGE IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN TO THIS PART OF THE CAR AND IS NORMAL. RECENT MAZDA SERVICE LOCATION VISITED DISAGREES. THEY AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, NOT A NORMAL WEAR ISSUE. MAZDA USA DOES NOT AGREE THIS IS SAFETY RELATED AND WILL NOT HELP TO REMEDY.
Seats, Mar 27, 2018
MAZDA RECALL I KEEP RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FROM BROOKDALE MAZDA ABOUT THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LIFTER LINK. I HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST 4-6 OF THEM IN THE MAIL. WHEN I CALL OR USE A CHAT LINE I AM TOLD THAT THE SERVICE DEPT. WILL CALL ME BACK. YEA, RIGHT. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL, E-MAIL OR MAILER (OTHER THAN THE ONES TELLING ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL) WHERE DO I TURN TO NOW? MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE!
Seats, Mar 27, 2018
THE SEAT ADJUSTER ON MY 2010 SGT MAZDA3 BROKE ONE DAY AS I WAS GETTING IN, AND NOW THE SEAT MOVES EVERY TIME I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY SPECIFIC VIN ISN'T CAPTURED, THEY WANTED $1000 (AFTER DISCOUNT FROM CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE) TO FIX IT. I FEEL THAT GIVEN THE DEALER TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VIN AND THOSE SIMILAR.
Seats, Jan 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PORTION OF THE POWER SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE TRACKS. COCHRAN MAZDA OF NORTH HILLS (10855 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE POWER SEAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,300.
Seats, Oct 26, 2017
DRIVER'S SEAT LIFTER ADJUSTMENTS BROKEN (RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN SENT BUT WHEN I WENT TO DEALER IN MID-FEBRUARY 2017 WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART, AND WOULD CALL ME BACK WHEN IT ARRIVED). AS OF TODAY, 10/26/17, I HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED TO TELL ME THE PART IS IN.
Seats, Oct 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MUNDAY MAZDA, 555 FM 1960 W, HOUSTON, TX 77090) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Seats, Sep 18, 2017
MY DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AS IF A LINK OR SCREW IS MISSING. I TOOK IT TO KEFFER MAZDA IN HUNTERSVILLE, NC FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT ALONG WITH MY STICKY DASH BOARD OVER TWO MONTHS AGO. THEY REPLACED MY DASH BUT STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART FOR MY SEAT. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH ME ABOUT THE SEAT. I HAVE CALLED THREE TIMES SINCE AND THEY APPEAR TO BE IGNORING ME. THIS ROCKING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OF LESS. SOMETHING JUST POPPED ONE DAY AND THE ROCKING HAPPENED.