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, Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2014
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 4 YRS.THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT IN 2013. IT CREATES A SHINY REFLECTION ON THE FRONT GLASS WHICH BECOMES VERY IRRITATING UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY. *TR
Structure, Jul 21, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY MAZDA 3, 2010 IS MELTING. IT IS SOFT AND STICKY. *TR
Structure, Jul 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THIS IS PRODUCING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS SEEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jul 15, 2014
THE DASH COVER IN THE CAR IS MELTING AND THE GLARE FROM THE MELTED DASH IS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Jul 9, 2014
DASHBOARD OF MY MAZDA 3 2010 IS STICKY AND MELTING CAUSING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS I DRIVE DURING HIGH TRAFFIC TIMES. *TR
Structure, Jul 2, 2014
DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING, TO MY SURPRISE WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT WAS PROBABLY BY A CLEANING PRODUCT WITCH WASN'T THE CASE. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT BY THE GLARE, MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT. IT SEEMS IT IS THE CASE TO MANY OTHERS MAZDA 3 OWNERS I KNOW. I NEVER SAW THIS HAPPENING TO ANY CAR DASHBOARD BEFORE. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jun 28, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2010 MAZDA 3 IS MELTING MAKING IT LOOK AS IF A STICKY SUBSTANCE IS COVERING IT. ON TOUCH, FINGERS STICK TO THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR REMAINS IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE AT ALL TIMES, SO IT IS NOT BEING EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS. THE ONLY EXPOSURE TO THE SUN IS WHILE DRIVING AND DURING THAT TIME, THE CAR'S AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THE STICKY SUBSTANCE CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH IN FLORIDA IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. IT SEEMS A VERY CHEAP AND DEFECTIVE MATERIAL HAS BEEN USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Jun 24, 2014
IN LAST 6 MONTHS MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING! I HAVE NOTICED IT WAS GETTING SHINY AND STICKY AS IF SOMEONE HAD POURED GLUE ON IT. I HAVE TRIED TO USE NUMEROUS DIFFERENT CLEANERS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE SURFACE IS SO SHINY IT IS CAUSING GLARE WHEN I DRIVE OR MT TEENAGERS DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS UNSAFE. NOW I AM RESEARCHING AND FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE. IS THIS ALSO AFFECTING MY AIRBAG? *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTING WHICH CAUSES GLARE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jun 17, 2014
WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, THE HEAT FROM THE SUN HAS MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IT BECOMES STICKY AND FLAKING OFF. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2014
MELTING DASHBOARD - CAUSES AWFUL GLARE IN WINDOW AT TIMES OF DAY. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2014
APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO I NOTICED MY DASH BOARD WAS WET LOOKING AND STICKY. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFTEY HAZZARD AS THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASH AFFECTS MY VISION WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAYLIGHT. *JS
Structure, May 19, 2014
DASHBOARD IS VERY SHINY. STARTED TO REFLECT OF WINDSHIELD AND CAUSE A GLARE. VERY STICKY AND IS LITERALLY MELTING. HAS A CONSTANT SHINE CAN NO LONGER CLEAN IT AND GLARE IS GETTING WORSE AND DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT. *JS
Structure, May 1, 2014
CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2009 AND UP UNTIL LAST YEAR I HAD VERY FEW PROBLEMS AND WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER, LAST YEAR I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD APPEARED TO BE VERY SHINY AND EXTREMELY STICKY. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH SOME TYPE OF GLUE HAD BEEN POURED ON IT. WHEN I TOUCHED THE DASHBOARD THE MELTED MATERIAL WOULD COME OFF ON MY FINGERS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THEY ARRANGED TO HAVE THE MAZDA AREA REPRESENTATIVE COME AND LOOK AT IT. HE EXAMINED THE DASHBOARD AND TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE, MOSTLY IN STATES LIKE FLORIDA, THAT ARE BASICALLY HOT ALL YEAR. HE STATED IT WAS THE GLUE USED TO SECURE THE DASHBOARD WHICH WAS LEACHING UP. HE APPROVED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE PART AT NO CHARGE, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST $300.00 TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. IF THE PART WAS FAULTY WHY DO I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THE NEW PART INSTALLED. I HAVE DONE NOTHING AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD, MY CONCERN IS WILL THE AIRBAG WORK CORRECTLY INSIDE THIS DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD? I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON MY LOCAL NEWS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. *TR
Structure, Apr 10, 2014
THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, May 30, 2013
MY 2010 MAZDA 3 DRIVES FINE AND DOES NOT HAVE MECHANICAL ISSUES. THE ISSUE INVOLVES THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD. SINCE IT WAS MADE FROM SOME TYPE OF RUBBER, THE SUN HAS BEEN MELTING IT. AESTHETICALLY IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD, BUT WHILE DRIVING TOWARD THE DIRECTION OF THE SUN, THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN AFFECTING MY DRIVING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AT A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND ONE RIDICULOUS EMPLOYEE GAVE ME RECOMMENDATIONS SUCH AS TO PARK MY CAR IN A GARAGE, OR UNDER TREES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. APART FROM THOSE IDIOTIC REMARKS, I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM NOW PAST MY WARRANTY. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MITSUBISHI FOR 10 YEARS AND THAT NEVER HAD ISSUES ALONG THOSE LINES. I HAVE TAKEN VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHS OF HOW MY VISION IS BEING OBSTRUCTED AND WOULD HAPPILY SEND THEM TO ANYONE I NEED TO. THE CHEAP RUBBER MATERIAL USED FOR THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT SIMPLY MELT BECAUSE OF THE SUN. THE SUN WILL ALWAYS BE PRESENT, THEREFORE THESE THINGS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION DURING MANUFACTURING. I WOULD LOVE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE HAVING TO LOSE MONEY AND NEVER DEAL WITH MAZDA AGAIN. OVERALL I LIKE THE CAR, BUT I CANNOT STAND THE WAY THE INTERIOR HAS DIMINISHED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jul 19, 2012
HI, THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENTIRE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HIT MY CAR, NOR NOTHING THAT HIT MY SUNROOF. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON I-25 IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM. NEITHER THE SUNROOF NOR THE CAR HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN ANYWAY FROM THEIR STOCK FORM. THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUNROOF WAS VERY SCARY AND ALMOST CAUSE ME TO CRASH. *TR
Structure, Apr 9, 2012
THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH CABLE BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE NEW MAZDA 3. *TR
Structure, Feb 20, 2010
(2010 MAZDA3 5-DR WITH SUNROOF) WHEN SUNROOF IS FULLY OPENED AND DRIVING AROUND 35 MILES/HR, COMPLETE ROOF STARTS TO VIBRATE PRODUCING LOUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CAR DEALER AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE PROBLEM AS WELL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS NEW DESIGN AND THAT MAZDA ENGINEERING RECEIVED A COMPLAIN. NO ACTION TAKEN BUT ADVISED TO PURCHASE A WIND DEFLECTOR. THE VIBRATION HAPPENS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE SUNROOF. *TR