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, May 18, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING, GETTING STICKY AND SMELLY IT REFLECTS ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IT MAKES REALLY HARD TO SEE
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 IS MELTING. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY STICKY AND REFLECTIVE. IT HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND IS SPREADING QUICKLY. I HAVE NOT SPILLED ANYTHING ON IT, I HAVE NOT USED ANY HARSH CHEMICALS TO CLEAN THE DASH, AND I KEEP THE CAR IN GENERAL AS CLEAN AS I CAN. WHEN I AM DRIVING INTO THE SUN THERE IS A GLARE/REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING THROUGH. I AM UNABLE TO CLEAN IT BECAUSE IT IS SO STICKY. IF THE AFFECTED AREA KEEPS SPREADING, THEN THE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WILL BECOME LARGER AND LARGER. I DO NOT WANT THE GLARE TO BECOME SO BIG I CAN'T SEE CARS SLOWING DOWN IN FRONT OF ME OR ANYTHING ELSE OF THAT NATURE. THE DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IN MY MIND THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2015
THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 2010 MAZDA 3 IS MELTING. *JS
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2014
MULTIPLE TIMES, STARTING IN THE SUMMER OF THE VEHICLE'S FOURTH YEAR, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD. LUCKILY IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY INJURIES OR DEATH DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MORE DILIGENT OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *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
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2013
I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA 3 WITH 38,000. THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2010, crash, fire
A LOW SPEED REAR-END COLLISION RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE EXPLOSION OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A LARGE EXTERNAL FIRE AND SMOKE TO ENTER THE CABIN UPON IMPACT. THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT-RIGHT; THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT 2/3 OF THE VEHICLE (TOTALING THE VEHICLE). THE CONCERN IS THAT SUCH A LOW SPEED IMPACT SHOULD NOT CAUSE AN EXPLOSION WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE INJURED OR KILLED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2010, crash, fire
MAZDA3 REAR ENDED A MOVING TRUCK. MAZDA3 WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH AND TRUCK WAS NOT MOVING. UPON IMPACT, THE MAZDA3 IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT FIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. FIRE DAMAGED CAR. CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.