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, Aug 28, 2015
MELTING DASHBOARD!!!! MY MAZDA'S DASHBOARD HAS BEEN INSANELY STICKY AND MELTING OVER THE LAST 8 MONTHS. PIECES OF MY DASHBOARD HAVE BEEN RUINED SIMPLY BY TOUCHING THE STICKY RESIDUE OR BY MY SUN VISOR GETTING STUCK TO IT. WHEN I TAKE MY CAR TO THE CAR WASH, THEY CAN'T WIPE THE DASH BECAUSE THE TOWEL GETS STUCK TO THE STICKY RESIDUE. THE GLARE IS SO BAD WHEN THE SUN IS DIRECTLY HITTING MY CAR THAT I HAVE TO PUT MY HEAD TO THE COMPLETE LEFT OR RIGHT OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING IN ORDER TO SEE. I FEAR THAT I WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF HOW DANGEROUS THE GLARE IS! I FEEL LIKE I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR DURING THE DAY ANYMORE. I REFUSE TO GET A DASH BOARD COVER BECAUSE THAT WILL TOO ALSO COMPLETELY STICK TO MY REGULAR DASH AND I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO TAKE IT OFF BECAUSE IT'LL COMPLETELY RUIN THE CAR AND DEVALUE IT IF I EVER TRY TO SELL IT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SO DISAPPOINTED IN MAZDA, THIS IS MY SECOND MAZDA AND DEFINITELY MY LAST. CHEAP. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED, IT IS A DANGEROUS HAZARD.
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2015
I PURCHASED MY 2010 MAZDA 3 IN AUGUST OF 2009. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD FEELING STICKY. IT HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO ALMOST MELTING WHICH CAUSES A HORRIBLE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPACTS MY ABILITY TO SEE EFFECTIVELY WHEN DRIVING ON SUNNY DAYS.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2015
I PURCHASED A 2010 MAZDA 3 IN 2009. THIS YEAR (2015), AROUND APRIL/MAY, BEFORE THE SUMMER HEAT EVEN GOT BAD, I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY. SINCE THEN, IT HAS PRETTY MUCH COMPLETELY MELTED. THE DASHBOARD IS EXTREMELY STICKY AND SOFT WHEN YOU TOUCH IT, ALMOST HAS A PUTTY CONSISTENCY, BUT THAT IS NOT THE MAIN ISSUE. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS MY MAIN CONCERN. THERE IS A HORRIBLE GLARE THE SHINE FROM THE DASHBOARD CREATES ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUN IS OUT BECAUSE OF THIS GLARE. A DASHBOARD COVER IS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE OF HOW STICKY THE DASHBOARD IS; A COVER WILL DEFINITELY GET STUCK TO THE DASH AND DESTROY IT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CLAIMS FOR MELTING DASHBOARDS FOR MODELS BETWEEN 2009 AND 2011. THIS IS SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THESE FAULTY PARTS.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS BECOME STICKY, THERE IS A SLIGHT SHINE TO IT WHICH GLARES OFF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND AM TAKING IT IN TOMORROW TO SEE ABOUT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. I USE A SUNSHADE THOUGH I DO NOT HAVE A DASHBOARD COVER. THE AFFECTED AREA IS CLEARLY WHERE THE DASH GETS THE HOTTEST.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 STARTED MELTING ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO BECOMING MORE STICKY AND REFLECTIVE OVER TIME TO POINT WHERE IT HAS A PLASTIC, CHEMICAL SMELL EMITTING FROM IT. MOREOVER, IT HAS BECOME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DUE TO THE SEVERE REFLECTION. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED OVER THE PAST YEAR. I AM IN DISBELIEF THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD USE MATERIAL FOR A DASHBOARD THAT MELTS AND EMITS CHEMICALS. CLEARLY, MAZDA CHOSE TO USE INFERIOR MATERIALS FOR THE DASHBOARD. CONSIDERING THE PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS AND STATEMENTS REGARDING THE SAFETY ISSUE OF LIMITED VISIBILITY DUE TO REFLECTION, IT IS VASTLY IRRESPONSIBLE THAT MAZDA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT TO SEEKING CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS TO MAKE MAZDA CORRECT THEIR MISTAKE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. WHEN I RUB MY FINGER ON IT BLACK RESIDUE EASILY COMES OFF. IF YOU PRESS DOWN WITH YOUR FINGER IT IS VERY EASY TO TAKE CHUNKS OFF WITH YOUR NAIL. THE GOOEY DASHBOARD IS SHINY WHICH EMITS A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH THEN IN TURN IMPAIRS MY VISION. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS ONE DRIVES. WHEN ONE GOES INTO THE CAR IT EMITS AN ODOR SIMILAR TO A PLASTIC FORK THAT HAS BEEN LEFT IN A DISHWASHER. INHALING TOXINS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT AS PART OF MY DAILY LIFE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 27, 2015
THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD PANEL HAS MELTED AND NOW HAS A STICKY TEXTURE. IT IS ALSO HIGHLY REFLECTIVE, CAUSING DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2015
2010 MAZDA 3 DASHBOARD IS MELTING. CONDITION IS MORE PRONOUNCED DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS. AS A RESULT OF THE MELTING DASH, VISIBILITY CAN OCCASIONALLY BECOME OBSCURED BY SUNLIGHT GLARE CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS. MELTING DASH MATERIAL IS TRANSFERRED TO REMOVABLE SUN SCREEN PUT IN TO REFLECT SUNLIGHT OUT OF THE VEHICLE - THIS MELTED DASH MATERIAL CAN THEN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAN.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2015
THE DASH BOARD IS MELTING WHICH IS CAUSING A REFLECTION INTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2015
THE DASH ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS BECOME VERY "STICKY" AND SHINY FROM NORMAL EXPOSURE TO THE SUN. I AM LOCATED IN PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH HAS STARTED TO SPLIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAT COVERS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I BELIEVE THSE TWO ISSUES POSE A SAFETY HAZARD FROM REDUCED VISIBILITY THRU THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO GLARE AND FROM THE CHANCE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY/INCORRECTLY OR NOT AT ALL IN A CRASH.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2015
I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW AT THE END OF 2009 IN TEXAS. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, MY DASHBOARD HAS GOTTEN STICKY AND VERY SHINY. WITH DAYTIME DRIVING, THE SUN GLARES ON MY DASH AND PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS AN UNMANAGEABLE CONDITION; IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IMPAIRED ROAD VISION. IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND I NO LONGER DRIVE AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY TO AVOID BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR 2010 MAZDA 3 VEHICLES LIKE MINE. PLEASE RECTIFY THIS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS DEFECT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND PROVIDE ME WITH A CORRECTION. YOUR TIMELY RESPONSE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU......UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2015
DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND IS MELTING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT IT CAUSES AN EXTREME GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT OBSTRUCTS VISION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2015
DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND APPEARS TO BE SLOWLY MELTING TO THE POINT IT CANNOT BE CLEANED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT IT CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT OBSTRUCTS CLEAR VISION TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IS CAUSING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2015
THE DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND MAKES A HORRIABLE GLARE AND I CAN NOT SEE SOMETIME WHEN THE SUN HITS. GREKO MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE. WANTS ME TO PAY $250 NOT MY FALULT THAT MAZDA MAKE A INFIERER PRODUCT
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND MELTING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2015
THE DASHBOARD, PARTICULARLY THE PART OVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS MELTING. IT IS STICKY AND SHINY, AND IT CREATES A HORRIBLE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2015
DASH HAS GLARE FROM ON THE TOP THAT CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES. DASH HAS AREAS THAT ARE MELTING AND CAUSE GLARE FROM THE SUN THAT PREVENTS SAFE DRIVING. MAZDA NEEDS TO REPLACE DASH JUST LIKE TOYOTA IS DOING ON EVEN OLDER CARS. MAZDA CHOOSE INFERIORS PARTS AND NOT OWNERS HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE; MAZDA STEP-UP AND REPLACE THE DASH ON MAZDA 3.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AS IT GETS HOTTER HERE, I HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE ON LINE AND THERE ARE CLASS ACTION SUITS BUT I REALLY JUST WANT MINE REPLACED BY MAZDA BEFORE I EVER BUY OUT NEXT ONE, IF THEY DO NOT FIX IT WE WILL BUY ANOTHER MAKERS VEHICLE FOR OUR NEXT CAR. IT'S REALLY STICKY AND NASTY AND WILL GLARE IN THE SUNSHINE .
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2015
THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE SHEEN IS CREATING A DANGEROUS REFLECTING GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Equipment adaptive/mobility, May 29, 2015
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, STICKY, AND SMELLS, MAZDA WOULD NOT RELACE IT UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS JUST OUTSIDE WARRANTY WINDOW, MY LAST MAZDA PURCHASE!!!
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2015
I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2010 MAZDA 3. I HAVE NOTICED FOR ABOUT THE PAST 2 YEARS THAT I AM GETTING THIS STICKY RESIDUE ON MY DASHBOARD AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE!! IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL BECAUSE HAD I KNOW THE DASH WOULD START MELTING I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT OF COURSE A DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TELL ITS CUSTOMERS THESE THINGS BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE THERE SELL. SUCH A RIP OFF!
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2015
MY 2010 MAZDA3 HAS A BLACK TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT HAS COATED THE SOFT DASHBOARD. I FIRST NOTICED IT LAST SUMMER (2014). THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED A HUGE GLARE ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD THAT LIMITS MY VISIBILITY ANY TIME LIGHT IS REFLECTED OFF OF IT.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2015
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, STICKY, AND CAUSES SIGNIFICANT VISIBILITY ISSUES ESPECIALLY DURING DAYTIME HOURS. IN MY LINE OF VISION, THERE ARE REFLECTIVE ISSUES COMING OFF OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD IMPAIRING MY VISION DURING DRIVING. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN FOR JUST A FEW HOURS, THE MELTING DASHBOARD PUTS OFF VARIOUS ODORS THAT I AM SURE ARE PROBABLY NOT HEALTHY TO BREATHE IN. I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHER MAZDA OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT OF THEIR DASHBOARDS MELTING AND MAZDA NOT WANTING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLES ARE OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD.