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: visibility/wiper
100 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTING. GLARE ON WINSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2015
MELTING DASHBOARD. MINE IS NOT AS SEVERE AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. BUT THERE IS A STICKY/GOOEY FEEL TO PART OF MY DASHBOARD.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 23, 2015
MELTING DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD GLARE
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, 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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 26, 2015
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3I HAS BEEN MELTING. IT IS NOW A STICKY SHINY MESS ON TOP AND THE REFLECTION OF IT IN THE WINDSHIELD AT CERTAIN SUN ANGLES MAKES IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I ALMOST RAN OVER A PEDESTRIAN TODAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HIM THROUGH THE REFLECTION WHICH IS THE REASON I FINALLY DECIDED TO REPORT THIS CONDITION TO NHTSA. I WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AFTER MAKING A STOP FOR A STOP-SIGN AND STARTED STRAIGHT FORWARD TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. I BARELY WAS ABLE TO STOP SHORT OF HITTING A GUY CROSSING THE STREET.
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, Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2015
FRONT DASH HAS MELTED CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. CONCERNED ABOUT TOXICITY INSIDE CAR DUE TO MELTING.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2015
AS WITH MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ON HERE REGARDING THE 2010 MAZDA3, MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING IT TO BE HIGHLY REFLECTIVE AND EMIT A NOXIOUS ODOR. THIS PROBLEM REDUCES VISIBILITY AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT. FURTHER, THE NOXIOUS ODOR COULD BE HARMFUL AND COULD VERY WELL BE A SAFETY ISSUE OUTSIDE OF THE VISIBILITY ISSUE. MAZDA NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND ISSUE A RECALL LIKE TOYOTA HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. AS OF RIGHT NOW, IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCT AND MAZDA DOES NOT.
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!!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 11, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT CREATES A HORRIBLE TOXIC NAUTIOUS PLASTIC SMELL. THE MELTING OF THE DASH CREATES A VISUAL SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE INTENSE REFLECTIVE GLARE IT CREATES FROM ITS NOW SMOOTH SURFACE. THE GLARE BOUNCES OFF THE DASH THEN REFLECTS AN INTENSE GLARE OFF THE WINDSHIELD MAKING THE WINDSHIELD DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH.
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???
Visibility/wiper, Sep 8, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. IT STARTED JUST AS A SMALL AREA IT HAS NOW GROWN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS GETTING STICKY RESIDUE EVERYWHERE MAKING IT HARD TO CLEAN. WHY SHOULD ANYONE HAVE TO PAY TO GET A NEW DASHBOARD OR EVEN HAVE TO GET A DASH PAD?! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR FREE.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2015
STARTED TO NOTICE STICKY RESIDUE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. HARD TO CLEAN OFF MAKING FOR A VISIBILITY ISSUE. DAYS LATER AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS VERY STICKY AND APPEARS TO BE MELTING. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION ONLINE REALIZE THIS IS AN GOING ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND OTHERS. I.E. TOYOTA/LEXUS .
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, 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, 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, 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.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING HORRIBLE GLARE IN LINE OF VISION OCCLUDING ONCOMING CARS. I HAVE PICTURES OF HOW TERRIBLE THE GLARE OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTION IS CREATING WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL FAIL TO SEE AN ONCOMING CAR OR CHILD CROSSING THE STREET DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 15, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING HORRIBLE GLARE IN LINE OF VISION OCCLUDING ONCOMING CARS. SPOKE TO MAZDA HQ WITH NO HELP SIMPLY STATING THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR BUT SINCE IT ISN'T CAUSING A "SAFETY HAZARD" THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL IT. I HAVE PICTURES OF HOW TERRIBLE THE GLARE OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTION IS CREATING WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL FAIL TO SEE AN ONCOMING CAR OR CHILD CROSSING THE STREET DUE TO THIS DEFECT. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION! *TR
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.