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: other or unspecified
133 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT IS WORSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CONTINUES ACROSS THE WHOLE DASHBOARD. IT IS CAUSING A NOXIOUS FUMES AND A GLARE THAT AT TIMES GOES ACROSS THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS WORSE IN THE MORNING AS THE SUN RISES AND ON SUNNY DAYS. THE GLARE CHANGES AS YOU DRIVE AND MAKES THE ROAD APPEAR AS IF SOMETHING IS IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE ROAD. THE GLARE CAN BE FROM 5 INCHES DIRECTLY IN YOUR LINE OF SIGHT TO GOING ACROSS AT LEAST 2/3 OF YOUR VIEWING LINE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD-CAUSING IT TO LOOK AS IF SOMEONE HAS THROWN SLICK OIL OR A SILVER SHEET OF METAL IN THE ROAD. HAVE SWERVED QUITE A FEW TIMES (DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION I AM DRIVING), CAN'T SEE WHEN PEOPLE STEP OFF OF A CURB, AS THE GLARE COMES IN THE SOON AND CAN BE THERE FROM THE START OF YOUR DRIVE OR APPEAR OUT OF THE BLUE AS YOU CHANGE DIRECTIONS OR PARK. YOU CAN'T HELP TO RESPOND TO THE GLARE WHEN IT APPEARS-ESPECIALLY WHEN ON UNFAMILIAR ROADS. THE SMELL IS OF BURNING PLASTIC. I LIVE IN FLORIDA ANY DAY OVER 80 DEGREES IN THE SHADE OR WHEN PARKED DIRECTLY IN THE SUN CAUSES THE DASHBOARD TO EMIT A NOXIOUS SMELL, GET SOFT AND GOOEY. BUGS, INSECT DROPPINGS, DUST, AND LINT GET STUCK IN THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSE GLARE. I DRIVE AT LEAST 3 HOUR/DAY MINIMUM. THE SMELL CAUSES A HEADACHE/SORE THROAT/NAUSEA. I CAN'T PUT A VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN-IT GETS STUCK IN THE MELTING DASH AND THE VISOR. WHEN YOU REMOVE THE VISOR IT SPLATTERS "GOO/PLASTIC" ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAN ONLY BE REMOVED WITH A RAZOR. RISKING GETTING THE HOT GOO ON YOUR HAND/ARM/FACE. YOU CANNOT WIPE AWAY ANY OF THE MELTING PART AS IT IS REALLY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD ONLY CONTINUES TO MELT. I SELL REAL ESTATE AND NO LONGER TAKE CUSTOMERS INTO MY CAR NOT ALLOWING ME TO DO BUSINESS THE WAY MOST SALES PEOPLE DO, BECAUSE CLIENTS COMPLAIN OF THE SMELL/FEELING SICK.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2016
TIRE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND PUNCTURES THE TIRE. I HAD ALREADY REPLACED TIRE SENSORS ON ALL THE WHEELS AND IT IS HAPPENING EVERY YEAR. I ONLY HAD 44,000 MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES AND TIRE SENSORS. I HAD THE CAR PARKED YESTERDAY NIGHT AND ALL THE TIRES HAD GOOD PRESSURE AND DROVE IN THE MORNING OUT THE DRIVEWAY. WITHIN LESS THAN 0.5 DRIVING MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL GOT FLAT. AFTER TOWING TO DEALER, I FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TIRE SENSOR.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTING. GLARE ON WINSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2015
DASHBOARD COVER IS MELTING CAUSING EXTREME GLARE AND INABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 2, 2015
THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO MELT. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A VERY SHINY STICKY MESS. THE SHEEN CAUSES SEVERE VISION PROBLEMS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST BLINDED AND UNABLE TO SEE THE TRAFFIC AT TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 30, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD. BLOCKING MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2015
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY DASHBOARD MELTING AND BEING EXTREMELY STICKY. THE GLARE FROM THE STICKY DASHBOARD MAKES IT VERY HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. WHEN DRIVING, I HAVE TO TRY AND LOOK OVER OR UNDER THE GLARE. THIS IS NOT SAFE!
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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2015
DASHBOARD IS STICKY/MELTED AND CASTING A REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THE SUN.
Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2015
MY 2010 MAZDA3 DASHBOARD IS MELTING/DISSOLVING INTO A STICKY GOO. THE MELTING AREA IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 8" SQUARE AND APPEARS TO BE SPREADING. IT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUN SHINES UPON IT. THE GLARE IS A DISTRACTION AND, AT TIMES, MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THINGS. I NOTICED THE GLARE AND THE MELTING DASHBOARD ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2015
MY 2010 MAZDA3'S DASH HAS MELTED! IT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IS CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE IF I CAN'T GET THIS FIXED SOON. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT A CAR MANUFACTURER CAN'T FIX THIS PROBLEM OR EVEN MAKE A CAR THAT DOESN'T MELT IN THE SUN. I WAS GOING TO GET ANOTHER MAZDA BUT NOW THAT THIS HAPPENED I DOUBT IT! THERE IS A HORRIBLE GLARE AND I CAN'T SEE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT! PLUS THERE IS LINT AND BUGS STUCK ALL IN IT LIKE A GLUE TRAP! AM I IN THE TWIGHTLIGHT ZONE? AND READING ALL OF THE MAZDA EXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS I AM DISCOURAGED.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS ALSO MELTING LIKE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT. IT STARTED ABOUT 36 MONTHS IN AND ONLY GETS WORSE. IT'S NOW A STICKY MESS THAT REFLECTS ON TO THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSES GLARE WHEN LOOKING OUT THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS TO BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON SUNNY DAYS IN FLORIDA. IT'S DISTRACTING AND IS UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER AS WELL FOR ANYTHING THAT IS IN THE AREA OF THE GLARE OUTSIDE THE CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF MY SERVICE GARAGE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SEEN IT ON ABOUT 1 OF EVERY 5 CARS SERVICED. WHEN I INQUIRED WHAT IT WOULD COST TO GET IT REPAIRED/REPLACED THE GUY SAID IT WOULD BE CLOSE TO $2000. THAT'S CRAZY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 22, 2015
THE DASHBOARD STARTED BECOMING STICKY IN EARLY 2015 AND BECAME WORSE AS THE WEATHER BECAME HOTTER. THE AFFECTED AREA IS NOW AROUND 36 INCHES BY 8 INCHES WITH THE WORST PART BEING AROUND 20 INCHES BY 4 INCHES. THE AFFECTED AREA IS STICKY AND VERY SHINY. THIS SHINE REFLECTS ONTO THE WIND SHIELD, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE ON SUNNY DAYS.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2015
MY DASHBOARD HAS STARTED MELTING. IT CAUSES A HUGE GLARE ACROSS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DID PUT MY CAR IN SERVICE AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN CLEAR LAKE, TEXAS AND IT SAT THERE FOR OVER A MONTH. THEY DID GIVE ME A LOANER CAR BUT THEY CALLED ME TO DROP OFF THE LOANER AND PICK UP MY CAR, I EXPRESSED HOW TERRIFIED I AM TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND ASKED IF I COULD STAY IN THE LOANER UNTIL THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED, AND THEY SAID, "IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM" AND GAVE ME THE MAZDA CORPORATE NUMBER "BECAUSE IT WAS MAZDA'S PROBLEM NOT THE DEALERSHIP". I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY TOLD ME TO RETURN THE LOANER AND TO PUT A TOWEL OVER THE MELTED DASHBOARD(WHICH I HAVE TRIED BUT CAUSE A REFLECTION). I AM FURIOUS THAT MY SAFETY IS NOT A PRIORITY TO THESE PEOPLE. I NEED HELP GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2015
THE DASH HAS BEEN MELTING FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. IN THE SUMMER IT GETS SQUISHY AND HAS STARTED TO FALL APART. USING SUN SHIELD IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY STICK TO THE DASH AND THE DASH MELTS TO THE COVER.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2015
FRONT DASH HAS MELTED CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. CONCERNED ABOUT TOXICITY INSIDE CAR DUE TO MELTING.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTED COMPLETELY, I AM NOT ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE FROM THE HOURS OF 10AM - 4:30PM BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE ROAD, THE WINDSHIELD LOOKS COMPLETELY WHITE FROM THE GLARE IN THE DASHBOARD, CONTACTED DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND MAZDA DOESN'T DO ANYTHING!!!!! IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE VEHICLE AT REGULAR HOURS!!
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2015
DASHBOARD AND VISOR'S MELTED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2015
MELTING DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD GLARE
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2015
WHEN I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 3,, IT SEEMED LIKE A GREAT BUY MONTHS LATER THE DASH STARTED MELTING AWAY, I HAVE CALLED MAZDA AND THEY HAVE NEVER RETURNED MY CALLS OR FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS AS ITS MELTING AND IS WELL OVER 100 DEGREES IN THE CAR, IF ONE OF MY NEPHEWS OR DAUGHTER WAS TO TOUCH IT, THEY COULD VERY WELL BE BURNED SERIOUSLY AS IT IS VERY STICKY AND GOOPY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2015
MY DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO MELT ALL THE WAY ACROSS. IT IS AWFUL. I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO TILT MY HEAD WHEN DRIVING AS IT CREATES A GLARE THAT IS DIFFICULT AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS REALLY HARD ON THE EYES AS WELL. I HAVE TRIED TO USE A SHIELD BUT THE SHIELD STICKS TO THE MELTING DASH AND THEN MAKES FOR AN ADDITIONAL MESS ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE BEFORE DRIVING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. THIS SHOULD BE PAID AT THE EXPENSE OF MAZDA. CARS HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT THIS ISSUE IN TEMPERATURES ALL OVER THE WORLD. THIS IS WRONG.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2015
THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND SHINY. THE MELTING DASH WHEN CLEANED FALLS APART. IT IS ALSO CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS CREATING AN ISSUE WHEN DRIVING ON A VERY SUNNY DAY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2015
DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND THE GLOSS COAT IT LEAVES IS THROWING A SERVE GLARE IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOYIFIED AND STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NUMERIOUS CASES POSTED ON-LINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. MAZDA HAS BUILT A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN SAFETY/MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THEIR ATTENTION? LOSS OF LIFE???
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2015
OVER TIME THE DASHBOARD HAS GONE FROM A MATT BLACK RUBBER MATERIAL TO A VERY SHINY, STICKY, MELTING SURFACE, WHICH IS QUITE VISIBLE WHEN LOOKING FORWARD THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. IT ADVERSELY EFFECTS THE VISIBILITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2015
DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT. THE PANEL IS ALL STICKY, INCLUDING A/C VENTS WHICH ALSO STARTED TO CRACK.WILL TAKE THE CAR TO DEALER TO FIX/SUGGEST A SOLUTION. TOUCHING THE SHINNY PARTS WITH FINGERS WILL TURN FINGERS BLACK, STICKY AND IS ALSO HARD TO CLEAN. TRYING TO CLEAN DASH MAKES THINGS WORST.