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
686 reports, newest first.
Structure, Mar 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DASHBOARD BECAME STICKY AND MELTED INTO A SMOOTH SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2017
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT PRODUCES A TERRIBLE GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT AND MAKES IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Steering, Mar 8, 2017
MY DAUGHTER RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2010 MAZDA 3. IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS HER POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY AND HER POWER STEERING THEN DOES NOT WORK. THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND SHE HAS NOTICED IF SHE TURNS THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTS IT SEVERAL TIMES HER POWER STEERING STARTS TO WORK AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS BECAUSE SHE WEIGHTS 80 LBS. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE SHOP ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT WITH IT DOING IT INTERMITTENTLY THE SHOPS CANNOT IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC CAUSE. TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS BELIEVE IT IS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS ISSUE AND AM AWARE OF THE RECALLS BUT 2010'S ARE NOT INCLUDED.
Air bags, Structure, Mar 6, 2017
I ENTERED MY CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING (AFTER A FAIRLY COLD NIGHT). THE CAR WAS STATIONARY OVERNIGHT SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I LOOKED OVER TO MY LEFT AND ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE WAS AN CRACK ABOUT 6-7 INCHES LONG ON TOP OF WHERE THE AIRBAG SITS. IN THE LIGHT, IT APPEARS THAT THE CRACK WILL SPREAD TO THE LEFT AND GROW SUBSTANTIALLY IN LENGTH/WIDTH. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME AN INHIBITOR TO MAKING THE PASSENGER FUNCTION PROPERLY.
Seats, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 17V082000 (SEATS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Power train, Engine, Feb 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS STICKY AREA THAT CANNOT BE CLEANED. GLARE FROM THE SUN OR LIGHTS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO SEE. IT'S LIKE LIGHT SHINNING OFF OF GLASS.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2017
STEERING WHEEL, AT ANY SPEED, MOVES SLIGHTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING IT TO BE CROOKED. ALIGNMENTS AND BALANCING HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE WHEEL IS LOOSE IN STEERING AND INCREASINGLY SCARY SINCE IT IS SLIGHTLY CROOKED AND CAN BE VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM OVER STEERING EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A PERFECTLY PAVED ROAD. I'M AFRAID THE STEERING PUMP IS CORRODING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS NEWER MODELS AND MAZDA IN JAPAN HAD A MAJOR RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. PLEASE DO A US RECALL AS IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY UNPREDICTABLE ESPECIALLY ON CURVY OR BUMPY ROADS. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 5, 2017
ABS FAILURE, LIGHT CAME ON IN EARLY 2015. PROBLEMS W/GARDEN CITY MAZDA DEALER & SERVICE W/SHOTTY BUSINESS PRACTICES, SO NEVER WENT BACK TO ANY MAZDA DEALER FOR SERVICE. DID ALL THE REQUIRED SERVICE SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2010 UNTIL NOW. HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT W/MAZDA JAPAN, USA, & STEVENSON MAZDA IN JACKSONVILLE, NC WHERE MY DAUGHTER DRIVES SAID MAZDA EVERYDAY W/HER SONS, 4 MONTHS & 2.5 YEARS OLD. THE ABS SYSTEM LIGHT INDICATES A FAULTY SYSTEM & THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO HAVE THE FAULTY PART. MAZDA JAPAN/USA SAID THEY WOULD PAY 50% OF PART COST & STEVENSON MAZDA IN JACKSONVILLE, NC WOULD PAY 50% TOTAL COST=$600 OF $1200. FAMILY TIRE & AUTO SERVICE, WHO ALERTED US OF PROBLEM ON 12/28/2015 (OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY) WOULD REPAIR FOR $800. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD , DISABLES ABS SYSTEM, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL NOT A TBS & ALL CONSUMERS WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED!!! HAVE ALL PAPERWORK FROM ALL ON THIS HAZARD & KNOW THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ON OUR NATION'S ROADS W/SAME HAZARD. NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION & HELP TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER SO WE CONSUMERS ARE PROTECTED FROM THE AUTO INDUSTRY. YOURS, [XXX] PS: TOO MANY FILES TO UPLOAD BUT CAN SEND OR FAX? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Jan 4, 2017
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING LIFT GATE DAMPERS BACK IN OCTOBER 2016. I CALLED TO CHECK ON IT AND GUNTHER MAZDA SERVICE DEPT DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. WENT FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM IN DECEMBER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND I FIGURED SINCE I WAS GOING TO BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR A DAY OR TWO, I MIGHT AS WELL TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL. THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PART, THEY TOLD ME TO CALL BACK IN FEBRUARY. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG AFTER A RECALL IS A MANUFATURER SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE WITH A SOLUTION, BUT 4 MONTHS SEEMS LONG. I HAVE NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GATE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I HAVE IT OR IGNORE THE RECALL EITHER.
Power train, Jan 4, 2017
CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACEMENT AS PER MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 53000 APROX. I HAVE READ BLOGS ABOUT THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN MAZDAS BETWEEN 2009 -2012.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 31, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTED AND STICKY AND THAT MAKES IT BRIGHT WITH THE SUN AND REFLECTED IN THE GLASS INTERNALLY AND MAKES DAY DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT.
Seats, Dec 14, 2016
THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE FRAME IS BROKEN. SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH DURING DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FLAW IN MANUFACTURING AND IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT MY SEAT WILL END UP IN THE BACK SEAT MAKING MY SEAT BELT USELESS. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL FOR MAZDA. A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX OTHERWISE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2016
MY MAZDA 3 WILL NOT START. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE A ME A DESCRIPTION OF MY ISSUE AND RESOLUTION (MY ISSUE: BATTERY CABLE SHORTED AND SPLIT IN HALF DUE TO A DEFAULT WIRE HARNESS). I GOOGLED THE PART NUMBER AND I NOTICED A RECALL ON MY CAR RELATED TO THE SAME EXACT PART. RECALL # 09V12600 MAZDA IS NOW TELLING ME MY ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW IT HAS BEEN RECALLED. MY CONFUSION IS AS FOLLOWS; THE ISSUE IS THE SAME, THE RESOLUTION IS THE SAME, THE PART NUMBER IS THE SAME, THE VEHICLE IS THE SAME (MODEL AND YEAR). I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING MY ISSUE. MAZDA IS CHARGING $1400 FOR THE FIX, I AM LOOKING ANY HELP FROM NHTSA PLEASE, TO HELP RESOLVE MY ISSUE AND HAVE MY ISSUE BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE RECALL STATES POTENTIAL IMPACT OF 25,400 VEHICLES (LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN FOR MORE OR LESS VEHICLES). I AM LUCKY THE SHORT DID NOT CAUSE A FIRE, I NEED YOUR HELP TO ENSURE THE ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN. LOOKING FOR ANY GOOD FAITH THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOU HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Seats, Dec 6, 2016
WHILE DRIVING AT ROUGHLY 40 MPH, I HEARD A "POP" FROM THE DRIVER SEAT AREA. THE SEAT STARTED ROCKING SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN THE CAR CHANGED SPEED. THIS WAS DISTRACTING AND AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO STEER, A SAFETY CONCERN. THE PROBLEM WAS A "FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER UNIT" WHICH THE DEALER REPLACED AT A COST OF ROUGHLY $900.00. *TR
Steering, Nov 21, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A STREET SIGN AND FRACTURED THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,310.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2016
TIRE DEFLATED IN SECONDS WHILE DRIVING. REPLACING A CORRODED VALVE STEM AND TPMS. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON CARS THAT ARE ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!
Seats, Nov 5, 2016
THE SWING ARM THAT ATTACHES THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE LEFT-SIDE SEAT RUNNER UNEXPECTEDLY DETACHED. CLOSE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A WELD FAILURE / METAL FATIGUE AT THE POINT WHERE THE ARM WAS WELDED TO THE ROD THAT RUNS BELOW THE CUSHION. THE SEAT IS NOW UNSTABLE AND ROCKS IN AN ALARMING WAY, BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING OR STATIONARY.
Power train, Oct 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL ---STICKY DASHBOARD WHICH IS MELTING AND WHEN DRIVING THE REFLECTION FROM THE GLARE OF THE STICKY DASHBOARD ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING, A LOT OF TIMES I CANT SEE DEPENDING ON HOW THE SUN IS SHINING I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN OR HIT MY BRAKES..VERY SCARY... JUST WANT THIS DOCUMENTED IN CASE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2016
I HAVE TWO REMOTES FOR THE CAR. THEY BOTH WORK JUST FINE UNTIL LAST WEEK. ONE KEY WOULDN'T START THE CAR THE SECURITY LOCK SYMBOL SHOW UP. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP THE RADIO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AS WELL. BUT IT WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE INSERT THE OTHER KEY TO TURN ON THE CAR. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE OTHER KEY WOULDN'T WORK. IT'S DOES THE AS THE OTHER KEY. I HAVE TO CARRY BOTH SETS JUST IN CASE ONE WOULD WORK.
Steering, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE SAFELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 98,000 MILES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Steering, Sep 19, 2016
MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. IT IS NO LONGER WORKING. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS REPLACED BUT THE POWER STEERING IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING. IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME. THERE WAS AND IS NO LIGHT LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING A POWER STEERING FAILURE; YET THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THE CAR MUST BE STEERED WITH MANUAL FORCE/MUSCLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY OR WHEN STOPPED.
Seats, Sep 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TILTED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN DETACHED FROM THE TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Sep 12, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE DURING DAY TIME DRIVING. 60% OF THE TOP DASH IS MELTING AND DOES NOT DRY OR GO BACK TO NORMAL. ALWAYS STICKY AND DANGEROUS DURING SUNNY DAYS DUE TO GLARE REFLECTING OFF MELTED SURFACE.