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, Apr 25, 2015
I'VE CALLED MAZDA SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY DASHBOARD MELTING AND THE DON'T WANNA DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND AS TIME GOES BY IT GETS WORSE UR FINGER PRINTS STAY IN DASHBOARD WHEN TOUCH. *TR
Structure, Apr 22, 2015
STICKY SUBSTANCE ON THE DASHBOARD HAS AFFECTED MY VISION WHILE I DRIVE DUE TO A HEATED CAR AND EXCESSIVE SUN GLARE. I PURCHASED A SUN VISOR WHICH IS NOW MELTING ONTO MY DASHBOARD. AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH A STICKY, GOOEY, TAR SUBSTANCE THAT BECOMES HOT RUBS OFF ONTO MY HAND.WHEN DRIVING, THE MELTING SUBSTANCE REFLECTS OFF THE GLASS AND MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. IN SUMMARY, MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. . *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2015
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 I-TOURING AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE AROUND THE SUMMER OF 2014 THAT THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE STARTED TO MELT. SINCE IT FIRST STARTED IT HAS GREATLY EXPANDED IN SIZE- IT'S BEGINNING TO CROSS OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S ALSO LEAVING A STICKY RESIDUE ON THE DASH THAT HINDERS MY ABILITY TO CLEAN IT NOR CAN I PUT UP ANY SUN VISORS TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE INTERIOR BECAUSE THE VISORS WILL STICK TO THE DASH. IF I'M DRIVING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT THE DASHBOARD EMITS A HORRIFY GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT HAS ME WORRIED THAT, AS TIME GOES ON, DRIVING WILL BECOME UNSAFE. *TR
Structure, Apr 1, 2015
MY MELTING DASHBOARD IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I PURCHASED MY MAZDA USED IN APRIL 2014 AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE DASHBOARD ISSUE (AT THE TIME I TEST DROVE IT WAS DUSK). OVER THE PAST YEAR, IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD IT CANNOT BE CLEANED OR EVEN TOUCHED. I PARK MY MAZDA IN THE GARAGE OR IN THE SHADE/USE SUNSHADES AT WORK. IN THE MORNINGS OR AFTERNOONS WHEN DRIVING ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY, THE GLARE IS SO BAD I SOMETIMES HAVE TO LIFT MYSELF OUT OF THE SEAT IN ORDER TO SEE THROUGH A PATCH OF WINDOW THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE GLARE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND THE FACT THAT MAZDA IS ALLOWING THIS TO GO ON IN LIGHT OF THE HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IS ABHORRENT, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. GET WITH THE PROGRAM MAZDA BEFORE SOME GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED! *TR
Structure, Mar 18, 2015
MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT. THE TOXIC FUMES STARTED AFFECTING MY ALLERGIES AND NOW I'M SUFFERING FROM SEVERE SINUSITIS. *TR
Structure, Mar 15, 2015
DASHBOARD BEGAN GETTING STICKY, AND NOW IT IS A GOOEY SHINY MESS. THERE IS A REFLECTION IN MY WINDSHIELD, AND IT CAUSES A GLARE THAT DECREASES THE VISIBILITY. THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO SOFT WHERE IT HAS NOT GOTTEN SO BAD. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR SOME OTHER FORM OF REMEDY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 10, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTING CAUSING INTENSE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE DRIVERS IN FRONT OF ME AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS AS WELL. *TR
Structure, Mar 2, 2015
DURING THE SUMMER MY DASHBOARD BECAME STICKY AND SHINY DUE TO THE HEAT IN FLORIDA. IF TOUCHED THE PLASTIC FROM THE DASHBOARD WILL STICK TO SKIN, FABRIC, AND EVEN THE WINDOW COVER. EVEN DURING THE COOLER MONTHS THE DASHBOARD NEVER RETURNS TO ITS ORIGINAL TEXTURE. AGAIN USING A WINDOW COVER DOESN'T KEEP THE DASHBOARD FROM MELTING SINCE THE CAR CONTINUE TO HEAT UP. THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS GLARE DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND MAKES THE DASHBOARD MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE OR STAINING OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Feb 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE DASH BOARD WAS MELTING WHICH CREATED A GLARE THAT BLOCKED THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER WHEN LIGHT REFLECTED OFF OF THE DASH BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Structure, Feb 19, 2015
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING FOR SOMETIME. CAUSES BAD GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2015
MY DASHBOARD MELTED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2015
I BOUGHT MY 2010 MAZDA 3 BRAND NEW. NOW THAT I HAVE PAID IT OFF, I'VE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD STARTING TO MELT RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS STARTED OVER THE SUMMER AND HAS BECOME WORSE SPREADING OVER A RATHER LARGE PORTION OF MY DASH. AND WHILE THIS MAY LOOK LIKE AN UNDESIRABLE BLACK TAR MESS, IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY LARGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT'S IMPEDING UPON MY VISIBILITY. THE GLARE ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY HAS BEEN SO BAD THAT I'VE HAD TO PUT MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO SEE. I COULD DRIVE PERHAPS ANOTHER WAY, OR WAIT UNTIL THERE IS NO SUN, BUT THAT IS NOT HOW MY LIFE WORKS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 15, 2015
THERE IS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 6" WIDE OF DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN DRIVING, THE SUN SHINES DIRECTLY ON THE MELTED PARTS AND CAUSES A GLARE WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING THE ROAD CLEARLY. *TR
Structure, Feb 12, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS GETTING STICKY AND ITS STARTING TO, WHAT THEY CALL, "MELTING". AS THE SUN SHINES ON THIS STICKY AREA, THE GLARE IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY. I SAW ONLINE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA AND MAZDA FOR THIS SAME EXACT REASON. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2015
AS AN OWNER OF A 2010 MAZDA 3 OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A STICKY FILM ON MY DASHBOARD. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY WORSE AND I REALIZED MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING!! IT CAUSING A BLINDSPOT DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN. I HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY DAMAGE YET BUT CLEARLY THIS IS FAULTY ON BEHALF OF MAZDA AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, SURFACE HAS BECOME STICKY AND CAUSING GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Feb 2, 2015
THE DASH HAS BECOME A HIGHLY REFLECTIVE MESS. THE DASH SEEMS TO BE MELTING AS IT IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND HAS DEVELOPED A HIGH SHINE WHICH IS HIGHLY REFLECTIVE IN THE WINDSHIELD. ANYTHING AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE OF THE MANUFACTURER, DEALERS, AND PEOPLE FILING CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS BUT NO MOVEMENT FROM NHTSA. *TR
Structure, Feb 1, 2015
THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CONTINUES TO GROW IN SIZE. IT IS TURNING INTO A TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT COMES OFF TO THE TOUCH AND IS QUITE STICKY. THE GLARE THAT IT PRODUCES IS BECOMING A SAFETY CONCERN. JUST TODAY I ALMOST REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE THAT I COULD NOT SEE WHEN IT STOPPED. *TR
Structure, Feb 1, 2015
THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS STARTED TO MELT. THE RESULT IS A STICKY GUNK THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WIPE OFF OR CLEAN. THIS ISSUE CAUSES FOR A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE DRIVING DURING THE DAY RESULTS IN GLARES FROM THE DEFECTED DASHBOARD. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO REPLACE. *TR
Structure, Jan 25, 2015
THIS VEHICLE HAD WHAT IS BEING REFERRED TO AS A "MELTING DASHBOARD". THE MATERIAL HAS A DEFECT WHICH CAUSES IT TO BECOME SOFT AND STICKY, RESULTING IN A SHINY SURFACE THAT CAUSES A DANGEROUS GLARE. VISIBILITY BECOMES IMPAIRED, USUALLY BECAUSE OF A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY IN REGIONS WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY. MAZDA INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND VERIFIED THAT MINE WAS AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD RECENTLY EXPIRED. AS A GOODWILL GESTURE, THEY SUPPLIED THE REPLACEMENT PART AND I PAID FOR LABOR. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. TOYOTA AND LEXUS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN MODEL YEARS AND ARE REPLACING THEIRS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY CAR STARTED MELTING ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOW THE ENTIRE DASH IS MELTED AND SHINY. I CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. THE REFECTION OBSCURES MY VISION AND IS VERY UNSAFE. I TALKED TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 22, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS A STICKY SAFETY HAZARD. I CANNOT SEE IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING, SEEING OTHER CARS AND PREDESTINES IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE WINDOW. MAZDA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2015
AFTER 3 YEARS OF NORMAL COMMUTER USE, THE DASHBOARD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SEAT HAS BECOME EXCESSIVELY SHINY. IT IS THE TOP HUMP OF THE DASHBOARD CLOSEST TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE SHINE REFLECTS A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. THE GLARE IS SOMETIMES SO BAD THAT IT HINDERS THE ABILITY TO SEE OTHER VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SHINE IS UNABLE TO BE WIPED CLEAN AND LEAVES A STICKY BLACK RESIDUE WHEN TOUCHED. IT APPEARS THAT THE DASHBOARD UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL AND/OR ADHESIVE IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY MAZDA 3 IS MELTED FROM THE SUN AND CAUSES GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT BLOCKS VISION OF A PORTION OF THE ROAD. *TR
Structure, Dec 27, 2014
THERE IS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN MY 2010 MAZDA 3 DASHBOARD. IT IS DIRECTLY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I LIVE IN BUFFALO AND THE CRACK IS WORSE IN THE WINTER. I SPOKE WITH MAZDA AND SAID THIS WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, HOWEVER, I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND MANY OTHER DRIVERS OF MAZDA'S HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED, HOWEVER, I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS ONLY COSMETIC AND NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR