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
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, 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.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 30, 2015
I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA3 I-SPORT MODEL. AFTER COMING BACK FROM A TWO WEEK VACATION, I FOUND MY DASHBOARD TO BECOME STICKY AND, WHILE UNDER DIRECT SUNLIGHT, WILL EMIT A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD THAT GREATLY REDUCES VISIBILITY. IT APPEARS AS IF IT IS MELTING. THE PROBLEM IS MOST APPARENT CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD, BUT HAS SPREAD A GREAT DEAL ACROSS THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT CANNOT BE CLEANED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2015
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 I-TOURING AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE AROUND THE SUMMER OF 2014 THAT THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE STARTED TO MELT. SINCE IT FIRST STARTED IT HAS GREATLY EXPANDED IN SIZE- IT'S BEGINNING TO CROSS OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S ALSO LEAVING A STICKY RESIDUE ON THE DASH THAT HINDERS MY ABILITY TO CLEAN IT NOR CAN I PUT UP ANY SUN VISORS TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE INTERIOR BECAUSE THE VISORS WILL STICK TO THE DASH. IF I'M DRIVING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT THE DASHBOARD EMITS A HORRIFY GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT HAS ME WORRIED THAT, AS TIME GOES ON, DRIVING WILL BECOME UNSAFE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 10, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTING CAUSING INTENSE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE DRIVERS IN FRONT OF ME AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS AS WELL. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2015
MY DASHBOARD MELTED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2015
I BOUGHT MY 2010 MAZDA 3 BRAND NEW. NOW THAT I HAVE PAID IT OFF, I'VE NOTICED THE DASHBOARD STARTING TO MELT RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS STARTED OVER THE SUMMER AND HAS BECOME WORSE SPREADING OVER A RATHER LARGE PORTION OF MY DASH. AND WHILE THIS MAY LOOK LIKE AN UNDESIRABLE BLACK TAR MESS, IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY LARGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT'S IMPEDING UPON MY VISIBILITY. THE GLARE ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY HAS BEEN SO BAD THAT I'VE HAD TO PUT MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO SEE. I COULD DRIVE PERHAPS ANOTHER WAY, OR WAIT UNTIL THERE IS NO SUN, BUT THAT IS NOT HOW MY LIFE WORKS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 15, 2015
THERE IS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 6" WIDE OF DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN DRIVING, THE SUN SHINES DIRECTLY ON THE MELTED PARTS AND CAUSES A GLARE WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING THE ROAD CLEARLY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2015
AS AN OWNER OF A 2010 MAZDA 3 OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A STICKY FILM ON MY DASHBOARD. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY WORSE AND I REALIZED MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING!! IT CAUSING A BLINDSPOT DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN. I HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY DAMAGE YET BUT CLEARLY THIS IS FAULTY ON BEHALF OF MAZDA AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2015
THE FRONT GLASS OF THE VEHICLE BROKEN IN A SMALL HOLES. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY CAR STARTED MELTING ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOW THE ENTIRE DASH IS MELTED AND SHINY. I CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. THE REFECTION OBSCURES MY VISION AND IS VERY UNSAFE. I TALKED TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 22, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS A STICKY SAFETY HAZARD. I CANNOT SEE IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING, SEEING OTHER CARS AND PREDESTINES IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE WINDOW. MAZDA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2015
AFTER 3 YEARS OF NORMAL COMMUTER USE, THE DASHBOARD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SEAT HAS BECOME EXCESSIVELY SHINY. IT IS THE TOP HUMP OF THE DASHBOARD CLOSEST TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE SHINE REFLECTS A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION. THE GLARE IS SOMETIMES SO BAD THAT IT HINDERS THE ABILITY TO SEE OTHER VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SHINE IS UNABLE TO BE WIPED CLEAN AND LEAVES A STICKY BLACK RESIDUE WHEN TOUCHED. IT APPEARS THAT THE DASHBOARD UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL AND/OR ADHESIVE IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY MAZDA 3 IS MELTED FROM THE SUN AND CAUSES GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT BLOCKS VISION OF A PORTION OF THE ROAD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 19, 2014, crash
VEHICLE WITH CONTINUED ISSUE WITH MELTING DASHBOARD. REQUIRES VERY FREQUENT CLEANING OF THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SUBSTANCE BUILD-UP FROM THE DAILY HEATING IN THE FLORIDA CLIMATE. DURING THE DAY THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTS BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING IT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. POLARIZED SUNGLASSES SEEMS TO MINIMIZE THE ISSUE. AT NIGHT, CERTAIN LIGHTING ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WHEN SUNGLASSES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE. ON DECEMBER 8TH JUST AFTER SUNDOWN A VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY RIGHT OF WAY AT AN INTERSECTION. THE STAR BURSTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THAT THEY WERE TURNING IN FROM OF ME LEADING TO AN IMPACT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DASHBOARD ISSUE PLAYED A VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS CRASH. THE FAULT WAS OBVIOUSLY THE OTHER DRIVER BUT DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS UNABLE TO REACT QUICKLY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 6, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING (AND STICKY) AND IS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD REDUCING MY VISIBILITY. I AM EXPERIENCING A LOT OF DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD SINCE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF IT AT TIMES DUE TO THE GLARE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 24, 2014
I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA 3I AND THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING INTO A BLACK RUBBER TAR ALIKE SUBSTANCE VERY STICKY AND IS REFLECTING ONTO MY WINDSHIELD BLOCKING MY VIEW OF TRAFFIC AFTER NOTICING IT EARLY ON I TRIED USING A WINDSHIELD VISOR BUT TO NO AFFECT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MELTING THE IMAGE OF THE SHINY MELTING RUBBER IS REFLECTING ONTO MY WINDSHIELD NOW TO THE POINT I'M SEEING IT I CAN NOT CLEAN IT DUE TO ITS STICKINESS AND THE REFLECTION IS GETTING WORSE IF I CAN NOT SEE WHAT'S IN FRONT OF ME IS THAT NOT A SAFELY CONCERN WHEN YOUR FIELD OF VIEW IS BLOCKED BY A DEFECTED PART MADE BY MAZDA ITS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 14, 2014
MY DASHBOARD (ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND MIDDLE) APPEARS TO BE MELTING (AND STICKY) AND IS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD REDUCING MY VISIBILITY. I AM EXPERIENCING A LOT OF DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT OF MY WINDSHEILD SINCE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF IT AT TIMES DUE TO THE GLARE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2014
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 AND THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IT PRODUCES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL. I TRIED TO HAVE MAZDA REPLACE IT BUT THEY SAID BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THEY WOULD NOT DO IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2010 ANY BY 2012 IT HAD STARTED MELTING. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AS SOMETIMES IT PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING OUT THE WINDSHIELD AT ALL. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 7, 2014
MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY STICKY FOR YEARS NOW, DESPITE ALL ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN IT. IT HAS INCREASED TO THE POINT OF REFLECTING OFF OF THE DASHBOARD AND DISTRACTING ME WHEN I DRIVE. I TOOK IT INTO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE CHEMICALS ARE GOOD TO BREATHE IN. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 4, 2014
UNABLE TO SEE OUT FRONT WINDSHIELD DUE TO GLARE FROM MELTING DASHBOARD WITH SUN HITTING AT CERTAIN ANGLES. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 4, 2014
THE GLUE IS MELTS ON MY DASHBOARD CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDOW. IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE WHEN I'M DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. THE DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON THIS VEHICLE IS MELTING. I PURCHASED IT USED IN APRIL AND NOTICED ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER THAT THE DASH WAS STICKY. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE POINT THAT THE GLARE CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES FOR THE DRIVER. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 26, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN THE CAR IS MELTING - TO THE POINT THAT THE GLARE IS AFFECTING THE VIEW. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 24, 2014
BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JUNE 2013, AND NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 IT STARTED TO BECOME STICKY ON THE DASHBOARD AS IF IT IS MELTING.. DIDNT REALLY BECOME AN ISSUE UNTIL IT BEGAN TO GLARE INTO MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO BE UNABLE TO SEE. I CANNOT CLEAN, OR TOUCH ANY PART OF THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE IT IS SO MELTED AND STICKY IT STICKS TO MY HANDS IF I DO. IT IS IN MY DIRECT VIEW OF WHERE I SHOULD BE LOOKING TOWARDS THE ROAD. HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR