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, Apr 5, 2012
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE AT WELDED ATTACHMENT POINT TO ADJUSTER RAIL
Seats, Dec 20, 2011
POWER DRIVER SEAT ROCKS FORWARD AND BACKWARD DURING ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN BRAKING. APPROX. 1/2" PLAY. THE MOVEMENT IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND DISCONCERTING. I FEAR THAT I MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER INSISTS CONDITION IS NORMAL. *TR
Seats, Oct 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE SEAT WHEN HE WOULD SIT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WELD WAS FRACTURED ON THE SEAT PAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Seats, Oct 19, 2011
THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT SUPPORT BRACKET HAS BROKEN AT THE WELD AND IT RESULTS IN THE FRONT SEAT NOT BEING STABLE. IT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WITH ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. THE ENTIRE SEAT IS NOT STABLE. *TR
Seats, Mar 30, 2011
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA3. A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING MY FRONT SEAT MADE A POPPING SOUND AND BEGAN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR MOMENTARILY. I TOOK IT INTO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA (BROWNS MAZDA ON ROUTE 1) AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT. THEY DETERMINED THAT WELDING ON MY SEAT BOTTOM HAD COME UNDONE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR'S WARRANTY IS FOR 3 YEARS/36 THOUSAND MILES AND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT MY CAR HAD 45 THOUSAND MILES. MAZDA DECLINED TO FIX THE SEAT AND STATED THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THE SEAT MAY DISLODGE AND CAUSE ME MORE BODILY INJURY THAN IF THE SEAT WERE PROPERLY ANCHORED. I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA'S CUSTOMER CARE LINE AND ALSO E-MAILED THEM AND ON BOTH OCCASIONS THEY HAVE IMMEDIATELY DISMISSED MY CLAIM STATING THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE REPAIRS ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY. THE DRIVERS SEAT OF A VEHICLE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAFETY IN THE CAR AND DUE TO A MANUFACTURER ERROR MY SEAT IS NOW LOOSE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Seats, Sep 14, 2009
DRIVER SEAT FEELS LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE I AM DRIVING VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED SEAT WILL NOT HOLD UP IN ACCIDENT. SAT IN SIMILAR CAR AT DEALER WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR