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: structure
169 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, May 14, 2017
RECALL 16V-644 ISSUED SEPTEMBER 6 OF 2016. NOW, 8 MONTHS LATER, THERE ARE STILL 'LIMITED' PARTS AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECALL AND I AM UNABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETED ON MY AFFECTED VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS INDICATES THAT MAZDA IS NOT RESOLVING THE RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Structure, Seats, May 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHENEVER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED, THE DRIVER SEAT MOVED OUT OF POSITION AND SLID BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V082000 (SEATS) AND 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND THE MANUFACTURER'S NOTICE INDICATED THAT A LOANER VEHICLE WOULD BE PROVIDED; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AGAIN ALONG WITH TWO ADDITIONAL DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Apr 9, 2017
THE DASHBOARD IS DETERIORATING AND IS TURNING SOFT AND GOOEY. IT CAN EASILY BE GOUGED BY A FINGERNAIL.
Structure, Mar 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DASHBOARD BECAME STICKY AND MELTED INTO A SMOOTH SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Air bags, Structure, Mar 6, 2017
I ENTERED MY CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING (AFTER A FAIRLY COLD NIGHT). THE CAR WAS STATIONARY OVERNIGHT SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I LOOKED OVER TO MY LEFT AND ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE WAS AN CRACK ABOUT 6-7 INCHES LONG ON TOP OF WHERE THE AIRBAG SITS. IN THE LIGHT, IT APPEARS THAT THE CRACK WILL SPREAD TO THE LEFT AND GROW SUBSTANTIALLY IN LENGTH/WIDTH. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME AN INHIBITOR TO MAKING THE PASSENGER FUNCTION PROPERLY.
Structure, Jan 4, 2017
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING LIFT GATE DAMPERS BACK IN OCTOBER 2016. I CALLED TO CHECK ON IT AND GUNTHER MAZDA SERVICE DEPT DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. WENT FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM IN DECEMBER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND I FIGURED SINCE I WAS GOING TO BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR A DAY OR TWO, I MIGHT AS WELL TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PART, THEY TOLD ME TO CALL BACK IN FEBRUARY. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG AFTER A RECALL IS A MANUFATURER SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE WITH A SOLUTION, BUT 4 MONTHS SEEMS LONG. I HAVE NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GATE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE IT OR IGNORE THE RECALL EITHER.
Structure, Sep 12, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE DURING DAY TIME DRIVING. 60% OF THE TOP DASH IS MELTING AND DOES NOT DRY OR GO BACK TO NORMAL. ALWAYS STICKY AND DANGEROUS DURING SUNNY DAYS DUE TO GLARE REFLECTING OFF MELTED SURFACE.
Seat belts, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 6, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BREAKS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE TO ROCK BACKWARDS WITH THE SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FORWARD MOTION. THE CAR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE SEAT ROCKS BACK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HOLD THEMSELVES UPRIGHT TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT EXHIBITS CHARACTERISTICS THAT CAN ONLY BE CALLED UNSAFE. THIS DEFECT WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. THE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT FRAME ALSO RENDERS THE SEAT BELT USELESS AND IS SAFETY HAZARD COMPOUNDED BY THE SEAT FRAME BREAKING LOOSE. THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO HAPPEN ONLY ON THE 2010 MAZDA 3 MODEL AND THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS, BOTH HERE AND IN PUBLIC FORUMS. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF A SEAT FRAME THAT IS BUILT SO AS NOT TO BREAK IN NORMAL USE. WHY THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IS NEGLIGENT. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $980.00 TO REPAIR THE SEAT FRAME. THE MANAGER WAS NOT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE THE COST OF THE REPAIR NOR WILLING TO DISCUSS FURTHER.
Structure, Feb 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 14, 2015
THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY THE AREA ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, APPEARS TO HAVE MELTED. THE SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND SHINY LIKE IT IS COVERED IN TAR. IT CANNOT BE WIPED, AND THE SHINY SURFACE PRODUCES A SEVERE GLARE RIGHT IN THE LINE OF SIGHT FOR THE DRIVER. NO CLEANERS OR CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN USED ON THE DASH, ONLY A DRY CLOTH.
Structure, Oct 23, 2015
WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT COMPLETELY. IT LEAVES A GLARE ACROSS MY WHOLE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW.
Structure, Sep 26, 2015
DASH COVER MELTING IN HOT SUN. TURNS INTO A STICKY FILM AND REFLECT THE SUN AS YOU ARE DRIVING.
Structure, Aug 31, 2015
I OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR, SAT DOWN AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. I LOOKED AT THE DOOR LATCH AND THE THREE SCREWS USED TO ATTACH THE LATCH WERE MISSING AND THE LATCH WAS HANGING FREELY WITHIN THE DOOR. I WAS TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT SCREWS ONLINE WHEN I CAME ACROSS A RECALL ON THE MAZDA 6 WHICH IS APPEARS TO BE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V425000
Structure, Aug 6, 2015
MY DASHBOARD JUST RECENTLY STARTED MELTING. THE DASHBOARD HAS FORMED A SHINY CONSISTENCY WHICH REFLECTS ON TO THE WINDSHIELD AND IS HAZARDOUS.
Structure, Aug 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE AND A STICKY RESIDUE SUBSTANCE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Jul 29, 2015
THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME VERY STICKY AND SHINY. IT REFLECTS BACK INTO MY FACE WHEN DRIVING AND IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND APPEARS TO CONTINUE TO BE SHINY...UPDATED 10/27/15 *BF
Structure, Seats, Jul 27, 2015
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO I HEARD A CLICK WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AND AFTER HEARING THAT CLICK I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVERS CAR SEAT TITLED A LITTLE. YESTERDAY AFTER LOADING MY CAR I HEARD ANOTHER CLICK AND NOW BOTH FRONT WELDS ATTACHING MY DRIVERS SEAT TO THE FLOOR BOARD HAVE BROKEN OFF LEAVING MY DRIVERS CAR SEAT COMPLETELY UNATTACHED AT THE FRONT. MY CAR IS NOW EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND BASICALLY A ROCKING CHAIR. AFTER CALLING BOTH THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM AND THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP THEY BOTH TURNED ME AWAY TELLING ME IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT. THIS IS AN EXTREME DANGER AND AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING HORRIBLE GLARE IN LINE OF VISION OCCLUDING ONCOMING CARS. I HAVE PICTURES OF HOW TERRIBLE THE GLARE OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTION IS CREATING WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL FAIL TO SEE AN ONCOMING CAR OR CHILD CROSSING THE STREET DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 15, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING HORRIBLE GLARE IN LINE OF VISION OCCLUDING ONCOMING CARS. SPOKE TO MAZDA HQ WITH NO HELP SIMPLY STATING THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR BUT SINCE IT ISN'T CAUSING A "SAFETY HAZARD" THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL IT. I HAVE PICTURES OF HOW TERRIBLE THE GLARE OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTION IS CREATING WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL FAIL TO SEE AN ONCOMING CAR OR CHILD CROSSING THE STREET DUE TO THIS DEFECT. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION! *TR
Structure, Tires, Wheels, Jun 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TPMS SENSOR WAS CORRODED AND THE NUT WAS FRACTURED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH REGULAR VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING, WHICH CAUSED A GLARE FROM THE SUN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN
Structure, Jun 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE DASHBOARD CHANGED FROM MATTE TO GLOSSY. AS A RESULT, THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND CAUSED A GLARE THAT OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 14, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. MY CAR ISN'T EVEN FIVE YEARS OLD AND THE DASHBOARD HAS BASICALLY MELTED TO A POINT WHERE I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE ISSUES ALL OVER ABOUT THIS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND MAZDA WILL NOT PLACE A RECALL, BUT SAYS I HAVE TO PAY $1500 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE GLARE OF THE MELTING REFLECTS OFF MY WINDSHIELD WHEN I DRIVE WHICH CAUSES A HAZARD.
Structure, May 2, 2015
DASHBOARD ON MY MAZDA 3 2010 HAS BECOME STICKY AND REFLECTIVE CAUSING SUNLIGHT TO REFLECT OFF DASH AND COULD MAKE DRIVING HAZARDOUS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 30, 2015
I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA3 I-SPORT MODEL. AFTER COMING BACK FROM A TWO WEEK VACATION, I FOUND MY DASHBOARD TO BECOME STICKY AND, WHILE UNDER DIRECT SUNLIGHT, WILL EMIT A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD THAT GREATLY REDUCES VISIBILITY. IT APPEARS AS IF IT IS MELTING. THE PROBLEM IS MOST APPARENT CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD, BUT HAS SPREAD A GREAT DEAL ACROSS THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT CANNOT BE CLEANED. *TR
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.