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.
Seats, Sep 8, 2016
THE WELDS ON THE FRONT SEAT ATTACHMENTS HAVE SNAPPED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2016
DASHBOARD MELTING. THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. IT CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT TIME. HAVE HAD TO COVER UP WHEN THIS OCCURS.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2016
MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BRACKET HAS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK SLIGHTLY. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING WITH A SHINY STICKY SPOT.
Seats, Aug 30, 2016
COPIED FROM AN EXISTING COMPLAINT BECAUSE I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM: 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 AND DECELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH A POPPING NOISE AS I PREPARED TO PULL AWAY FROM A PARKING SPOT.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RADIO ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Wheels, Aug 21, 2016
TWICE NOW, WHEN I WAS ALERTED VIA MY TPMS THAT I HAD LOW TIRE PRESSURE IN ONE OF MY TIRES, I STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION TO ADD AIR TO MY LOW PRESSURE TIRE. AS I APPLIED THE AIR HOSE TO THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM (AND THE ATTACHED TPMS SENSOR, DISAPPEARED INTO THE WHEEL AND TIRE AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLAT. . I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE RESULT OF FAULTY DESIGN OF THE TPMS ASSEMBLY. THE MATERIALS USED IN THE COLLAR AND NUT THAT SECURE THE TPMS ASSEMBLY TO THE WHEEL IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT, DIRT, GRIME, BRAKE DUST, ETC.) IN WHICH THE TPMS ASSEMBLY MUST FUNCTION. THE COLLAR AND NUT CORRODE AND EVENTUALLY FAIL DUE TO THAT EXPOSURE. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME OF THOSE FAILURES; HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE COMPLETE FAILURE (NO AIR PRESSURE REMAINING IN TIRE) COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE FIRST ASSEMBLY FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 36,500 MILES AND THIS MOST RECENT ONE FAILED AT 61,800 MILES. BOTH TPMS ASSEMBLIES WERE OEM PARTS AND WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM MAZDA. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS ONLINE DESCRIBING SIMILAR FAILURES. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, MAZDA HAS NOT YET RECOGNIZED OR ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN AND FAILURE OF THEIR TPMS ASSEMBLIES. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS THEIR FAULTY DESIGN, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES FROM AN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM ANOTHER TPMS ASSEMBLY FAILURE.
Seats, Aug 7, 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 AND DECELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH A POPPING NOISE AS I PREPARED TO PULL AWAY FROM A PARKING SPOT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND HAVE TREATED IT GENTLY. I AM A SKINNY GUY AND HAVE AT NO TIME BEEN ROUGH ON THE SEAT. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS FAILURE AS IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Seats, Aug 6, 2016
FRAME BRACKET BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT CAUSING THE SEAT TO ROCK COMPLETELY BACK
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2016
DASHBOARD SEPARATING DIRECTLY OVER THE MILEAGE/STEREO/GPS INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SEPARATING/COMING UNGLUED FROM THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AREA SEPARATED/UNGLUED IS APPROX. 5-6" LONG. IT IS PUFFY IN THE CENTER DIRECTLY ABOVE.
Steering, Jul 27, 2016
THE CAR HAS 43000 POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS DRIVING CAUSING A PROBLEM VEHICLE
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2016
TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO NOT SHIFT BEYOND 3 GEAR. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW SOLENOID WAS NEEDED. AFTER THAT, IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS NEEDED. THE FIRST ONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS DEFECTIVE AND A SECOND WAS NEEDED.
Seats, Jul 7, 2016
PART OF THE METAL MOUNTING THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRONT LEFT SIDE IN PLACE BROKE, AND NOW THE SEAT ROCKS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE SEAT IS NOW SECURED AT THREE POINTS RATHER THAN 4, AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE OTHER FRONT MOUNTING POINT. SEEMS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY COMPLAINT, AND A QUICK CHECK ONLINE INDICATES THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD, KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2010 MAZDA 3.
Wheels, Jul 7, 2016
AT 78,000 MILES ONE OF MY VALVE STEMS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. WHEN I INSPECTED THE OTHER THREE WHEELS, BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM SHOP, I FOUND ANOTHER STEM WITH ABOUT 2/3 OF THE NUT MISSING ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE STEM SHAFT. SEE PICTURES. IF THE FRONT WHEEL STEM HAD FAILED RATHER THAN THE BACK WHEEL STEM I COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONTROL ISSUES.
Tires, Jun 28, 2016
WHILE SERVICING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE WE INFLATED THEIR TIRES. WHEN THE AIR CHUCK CLAMPED ON THE VALVE STEM, IT BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE.
Tires, Jun 28, 2016
WHILE SERVICING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE WE INFLATED THEIR TIRES. WHEN THE AIR CHUCK CLAMPED ON THE VALVE STEM, IT BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE, IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE.
Wheels, Jun 25, 2016
VALVE STEMS ON TIRES BLOW OUT WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON MY VEHICLE, TWICE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH MY SMALL CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. THE SENSOR FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE GOES ON AND WITHIN A MINUTE THE TIRE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. AND THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS WITH A TIRE ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD AND LESS THAN 10000 MILES. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO EVEN PULL OVER. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY.
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN FUSE HAD SHORT CIRCUITED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2016
THE RADIO VOLUME CONTROL CAN NOT TURN OFF. IF CLICK THE VOLUME KNOB TO TURN OFF, THE VOLUME BECOME 10 TIMES LOUDER. WHEN THE RADIO VOLUME IS AT "ON" STATE, ONLY LEFT DOOR BOSE HAS SOUND. WHEN THE RADIO VOLUME IS AT "OFF" STATE, THE SOUND LEVEL IS 10 TIMES LOUDER IN LEFT REAR BOSE SPEAKER. SOME TIMES, WHEN RADIO IS ON, IT COULD AUTOMATICALLY JUMP TO 10 TIMES LOUDER BY ITSELF.
Seats, Jun 2, 2016
DRIVER SEAT FLIPS BACKWARDS - CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, May 23, 2016
DASHBOARD MELTS IN HOT SUN CAUSING GLARE WHILE DRIVING AND LEAVES STICKY BLACK RESIDUE WHEN TOUCHED. OVER HALF OF MY DASH IS MELTED.
Exterior lighting, May 18, 2016
MY 2010 MAZDA HAS HAD A BUILD UP OF CONDENSATION IN THE DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT FOR SOME TIME AND RECENTLY THE DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP WHICH REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE BUMPER. I WOULD BE LOOKING AT CLOSE TO $1000+ TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. I DECLINED THE REPAIR AS I WANTED TO DO MORE RESEARCH ON THE SAFETY BULLETINS THAT ARE POSTED FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BASED ON THE PUBLISHED SAFETY BULLETINS. RECENTLY, CONDENSATION HAS STARTED IN MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP AND THAT HEADLIGHT IS NOW OUT AS WELL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED I LIVE IN THE DRY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENT SO MY CAR IS HARDLY EVER EXPOSED TO WATER FOR CONDENSATION TO EVEN BE BUILDING UP. THIS POSES A REAL DANGER TO DRIVERS AS THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT (POSSIBLY BOTH) WHILE DRIVING CAUSING VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS BOTH FOR THOSE IN THE VEHICLE BUT FOR OTHER VEHICLES SHARING THE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2016
MY DASH IS MELTING. TOUCH IT AND IMPRINTS ARE MADE. IT BE LIKE THIS FOR 3 YEARS BUT GETTING WORSE
Seat belts, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 6, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BREAKS RESULTING IN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE TO ROCK BACKWARDS WITH THE SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FORWARD MOTION. THE CAR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE SEAT ROCKS BACK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HOLD THEMSELVES UPRIGHT TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT EXHIBITS CHARACTERISTICS THAT CAN ONLY BE CALLED UNSAFE. THIS DEFECT WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH INJURY OR DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. THE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT FRAME ALSO RENDERS THE SEAT BELT USELESS AND IS SAFETY HAZARD COMPOUNDED BY THE SEAT FRAME BREAKING LOOSE. THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO HAPPEN ONLY ON THE 2010 MAZDA 3 MODEL AND THERE ARE MANY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS, BOTH HERE AND IN PUBLIC FORUMS. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF A SEAT FRAME THAT IS BUILT SO AS NOT TO BREAK IN NORMAL USE. WHY THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IS NEGLIGENT. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $980.00 TO REPAIR THE SEAT FRAME. THE MANAGER WAS NOT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE THE COST OF THE REPAIR NOR WILLING TO DISCUSS FURTHER.
Wheels, May 2, 2016
2010 MADZA3 LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. WENT TO HAVE SNOW TIRES REMOVED AFTER WINTER SEASON. ALL FOUR TPMS VALVES CORRODED AND BROKEN INTO PIECES. TIRE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE CAR WITH VALVES IN THIS CONDITION. HAVE TEMPORARILY REPLACED WITH REGULAR, NON-MONITORING VALVES. SIX YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH THIS FEW MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS ISSUE. NO RECALL ISSUED, BUT OBVIOUSLY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. WHY HASN'T RECALL BEEN ISSUED. COULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2016
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS FALLEN OFF TRACK AND DOES NOT CLOSE AS IT SHOULD. FURTHER, WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FINGER FROM THE AUTOMATIC "UP" BUTTON, THE WINDOW WILL AUTOMATICALLY ROLL DOWN AFTER RELEASING THE BUTTON (AS IF IT HAS A LIFE OF IT'S OWN). THIS IS A WINDOW MOTOR OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ... CITY OR HIGHWAY.