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, Jan 1, 2015
WHILE DRIVING, MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE LEFT RAIL. AFTER INSPECTING THE SEAT, I NOTICED IT BROKE OFF THE PART THAT IS WELDED TO THE RAIL. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I'VE ALREADY SEEN MULTIPLE OTHER RELATED INCIDENTS REPORTED. I'M GOING TO THE MAZDA DEALER TOMORROW AND SEE WHEAT THEY WILL DO. PS. I'M 180 POUNDS, SO IT SEEMS THIS SEAT WAS POORLY WELDED. *JS
Seats, Dec 16, 2014
SAT IN DRIVERS SEAT HEARD AND FELT A SNAP UNDER DRIVERS SEAT. BROKEN WELD ON SEAT BRACE. *TR
Seats, Dec 9, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BECOMING LOOSE AND "CLUNKING" UPON CORNERING AND ACCELERATION. A POST TO A MAZDA GROUP, AS WELL AS GOOGLE SEARCHES RESULTS IN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS OF THE SEAT TRACKS BREAKING AND THIS BEING A "COMMON FIX". THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR CAUSE FURTHER INJURY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Seats, Dec 4, 2014
I OPENED MY CAR AND SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AS PER USUAL ONLY TO FIND THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT FELT LOOSE. AS I LEANED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS I COULD FEEL THE SEAT MOVING WITH ME. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER MY SEAT TO SEE WHAT MAY BE LOOSE. WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT THE PART OF THE SEAT ASSEMBLY THAT ATTACHES TO THE RAIL SYSTEM HAD COME OUT. I LOOKS LIKE A SMALL METAL BOLT THAT GOES THROUGH A METAL RAIL AND IS EITHER BOLTED DOWN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OR WELDED TOGETHER. *TR
Seats, Nov 30, 2014
DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, VERY LOOSE AFTER. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT A METAL BRACKET ON LEFT RAIL BROKE (SPLIT IN HALF). *TR
Seats, Oct 22, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD/FELT A CLUNK AND THE DRIVER SEAT TILTED BACK A FEW INCHES AND BECAME UNSTABLE. THE SEAT NOW MOVES FREELY UP AND DOWN AND IS NOT CURRENTLY SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS WAS A RESULT OF WELD ON THE SEAT BRACKET BREAKING AND THE SEAT LOSING ITS SUPPORT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OVER 100 COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Seats, Oct 1, 2014
DRIVERS SEAT FEEL LOOSE AND WIGGLES. UNKNOWN HOW IT WOULD HOLD UP DURING A CRASH. *TR
Seats, Jul 18, 2014
THE DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A SHEET METAL PIECE (APPROXIMATELY 1/8 INCH THICK) THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT SLIDE ADJUSTMENT. THE SPRING RETAINER HAD POPPED OFF THE LOCATING PIN ALLOWING THE SHEET METAL TO BEND AND THE PIN TO COME OUT OF ITS RETAINING HOLE. I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SPRING RETAINER, BUT THE SHEET METAL SNAPPED DUE TO WORK HARDENING. THE FAILURE MECHANISM APPEARS TO OCCUR BECAUSE THE SHEET METAL IS STAMPED DURING MANUFACTURE AND A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 THE WIDTH OF THE SHEET METAL IS PUNCHED THROUGH THE SHEET METAL DRASTICALLY REDUCING ITS STRENGTH. I PURCHASED A NEW SLIDE MECHANISM BECAUSE MAZDA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL OR SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THIS FAILURE. HOWEVER, WHEN I EXAMINED THE NEW SLIDE MECHANISM, I DISCOVERED THAT MAZDA HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDESIGNED THIS PART TO PREVENT THE TYPE OF FAILURE THAT I EXPERIENCED. THE NEW PIECE DOES NOT HAVE THE PUNCHED HOLE, BUT INSTEAD HAS A REINFORCED BOSS AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF WELDING TO ENSURE THE PIECE CANNOT BEND OR BREAK. MY GUESS IS THAT THE NEW DESIGN IS AT LEAST 100 TIMES MORE DURABLE THAN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. OBVIOUSLY, MAZDA CONSIDERED THE OLD DESIGN TO BE SUBSTANDARD. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL TO VERIFY THAT THE SEAT RETENTION HAS NOT FAILED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILURE RESULTS IN ONLY 3 POINTS OF RETENTION FOR THE SEAT AND THE DRIVER CAN POSSIBLY LOSE CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPER RESTRAINT IN THE SEAT. I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES OF THE NEW DESIGN AND DEFECTIVE DESIGN IF YOU NEED THEM. THERE ARE TWO SUCH PIECES PER SEAT SO THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR BOTH TO FAIL IN SEQUENCE CREATING A MORE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Seats, Jun 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING HERD A POPPING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, THE SEAT THEN STARTED ROCKING BACK IN FORTH. SEAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WELD POINTS ON THIS MODEL. MY 3RD MAZDA NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 1ST 2 BUT THE 2010 MAZDA 3 QUALITY DOES NOT HOLD UP TO THE PREVIOUS YEARS. *TR
Seats, Apr 18, 2014
DRIVER SEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS. A PIECE OF METAL DETACHED AND IT LOOKS LIKE VERY CHEAP METAL AND POOR WELDING. *TR
Seats, Apr 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BRACKET HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT THE VEHICLE WAS 86,000.
Seats, Mar 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BASE. THE CONTACT'S INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A DEFECTIVE WELDING, WHICH CAUSED THE BASE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT THE VEHICLE WAS 100,000.
Seats, Jan 28, 2014
ENTERED THE VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK. SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IMMEDIATELY HEARD A POP AND THE SEAT BECAME UNSTEADY (WOBBLY). AFTER WORK I LOOKED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT AND SAW THAT A WELD BROKE LOOSE FROM A BAR THAT STABILIZES THE SEAT. IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO THE DRIVER WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CRASHES. THE SAFETY OF THE SEAT DURING A CRASH SCENARIO IS COMPROMISED. *TR
Seats, Jan 7, 2014
DRIVER SEAT IS LOOSE AND MOVES DURING BRAKING OR TURNING A CORNER. THIS CAN MAKE IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IF THIS WOULD BREAK LOOSE DURING A CRASH HOW WOULD THIS EFFECT AIR BAG OPERATION. *TR
Seats, Sep 6, 2013
AS I WAS DRIVING I FELT AN UNEASE MOVEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. SUDDENLY IT STARTED A KIND OF A "ROCKING CHAIR" MOVEMENT. THEN IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING SNAPPED AND BROKE. I MOVE MY SELF FORWARD TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR AND STOPPED. AS SOON AS I RAISED MY BODY FROM THE SEAT I COMPLETETLY FELL BACKWARDS. AS I LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL COVERED WITH A CLEAN TYPE OF GREASE OR LUBRICANT OF ABOUT 4" LONG LAYING UNDER MY SEAT.
Seats, Aug 20, 2013
NOTICED MOVEMENT/LOOSE DRIVERS SEAT, TOOK TO DEALER, SAID BASIC WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, BUT MILEAGE LOW SO MAZDA MAY COVER. MAZDA COVERING PART, BUT NOT LABOR. THE SEAT IS LOOSE, BRACKET IS CRACKED THAT HOLDS SEAT. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY WARRANTY? *TR
Seats, Apr 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE BASE DUE TO DEFECTIVE WELDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,160.
Seats, Apr 3, 2013
DRIVER SIDE SEAT APPEARED TO HAVE BAD WELDING ON THE SLIDER AND IT SNAPPED. MAZDA HAS DENIED FIXING THE FAULTY SEAT, CITING THE WARRANTY BEING EXPIRED. *TR
Seats, Apr 2, 2013
WHILE COMING OFF A TURN AT 35 MPH AND BRAKING SLIGHTLY, THERE WAS POP NOISE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. ONCE I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK THE SEAT IT HAD APPEARED THAT THE WELDING OF THE SEAT HAD SNAPPED AND THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS ONCE PART OF THE TRACK THAT HAD SNAPPED CLEAN OFF. THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT OR HARD BRAKING. HOWEVER, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE TRACK THAT THE SEAT SITS ON OR HOW IT IS ATTACHED. *TR
Seats, Mar 26, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY MAZDA3, CAME TO A STOP, UPON ACCELERATING MY SEAT BEGAN TO ROCK SLIGHTLY, ABOUT A WEEK OR SO LATER, CAME TO A STOP AND UPON ACCELERATING MY WHOLE SEAT ROCKED BACKWARDS, TO THE POINT I COULD NO LONGER REACH THE PEDALS. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE WELDS THAT ATTACH THE SEAT TO THE SEAT TRACK HAD BROKEN. THE SEAT IS NO LONGER STABLE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. SEVERAL CALLS INTO MAZDA, BUT GETTING NO WHERE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. OBVIOUSLY THE WELDS CONNECTING THE SEAT TO THE SEAT TRACK, AND THE SUBSEQUENT BREAKING OF THOSE WELDS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSES HUGE SAFETY RISKS FOR ALL DRIVERS OF MAZDA3S. IT IS UNKNOWN WHERE/WHEN THE WELDS WILL BREAK. *TR
Seats, Mar 22, 2013
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN I HIT A SMALL POT HOLE AND SUDDENLY MY SEAT FLEW BACK. THE SEAT BROKE COMPLETELY FREE FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKETS AT THE TWO FROM MOUNTING POINTS. UPON INSPECTION THE WELDS ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET SNAPPED CLEAN OFF. DUE TO THE SUDDEN RECLINING MOTION MY NECK WAS EXTREMELY SORE FROM THE SUDDEN AND ABRUPT REARWARD RECLINING MOTION THIS CAUSED. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY TO A PERSON WHO IS SHORTER THEN MYSELF, LOSS OF THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS VERY POSSIBLE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO REACH MY DESTINATION I NOTIFIED MAZDA WHO CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS ARE HAVING THE VERY SAME ISSUES. I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JULY OF 2009 AND IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
Seats, Mar 16, 2013
THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. I SAT IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT AND FELT THE DRIVERS SEAT SHIFT BACKWARDS. FROM THAT POINT ON THE SEAT WAS UNSTEADY AND ROCKED FORWARD AND BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHICH I WAS DOING, ACCELERATING OR BREAKING. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WELD ON THE SEAT BRACKET HAD BROKEN. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL BREAK AND COULD BE VERY HAZARDOUS IF IT HAPPENS UPON BRAKING. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED ON 03/15/13. *TR
Seats, Nov 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE PLASTIC HEIGHT ADJUSTER FOR THE SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE WHENEVER THE CONTACT COMPLETED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Seats, May 23, 2012, crash
FROM THE START MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND EACH TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, THE REPLACED THE TRACK ASSEMBLY, TIGHTENED THINGS UP AND AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *TT ON THE DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, I WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT AND WAS THE CAR BEHIND ME. A DIFFERENT CAR SMASHED THROUGH THE CAR BEHIND ME CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND AND FORCING ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND THE SEAT ROCKED AS IF IT WAS A ROCKING CHAIR. DRIVING THE CAR HOME, THE SEAT ROCKED TO EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE IF I WAS IMPACTED WITH HIGHER FORCE THE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAME LOOSE FROM THE BASE.
Seats, May 21, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND FELT THE DRIVERS SEAT SHIFT BACKWARDS. FROM THAT POINT ON THE SEAT WAS UNSTEADY AND MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHICH I WAS DOING, ACCELERATING OR BREAKING. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WELD ON THE SEAT BRACKET HAD BROKEN. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL BREAK AND COULD BE VERY HAZARDOUS IF IT HAPPENS UPON BRAKING. *TT