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, Apr 19, 2016
THE DRIVER SEAT OF MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY DETACHED FROM SEAT MOUNT DURING NORMAL USE, THE DRIVER SEAT FELL BACKWARD ON TO THE BACK SEAT, LEAVING MY CAR NON-FUNCTIONAL. FOR SAFETY REASONS, I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES. I WAS PLEASED THAT THE SERVICE REP MADE AN EFFORT TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE OTHER SIMILAR REPAIRS REPORTED. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NONE FOUND. HOWEVER, LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE FORTY-NINE OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS MADE TO YOUR OFFICE, NHTSA, REGARDING THE DRIVER SEAT IN THIS SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR MAZDA. I HOPE THAT THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) CONSIDERS OPENING AN INVESTIGATION TO REMEDY THE DEFECT IN THIS GROUP OF VEHICLE, AND, THE UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK IT HAS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
Engine, Mar 22, 2016
MY CAR HAS HAD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL TO HAVE A MOTOR MOUNT ISSUE.. BUT NOT TO FIX IT YET BECAUSE IT IS JUST NOW STARTING AND IT WILL BE FINE FOR A 6 MONTHS OR SO?!?!? SERIOUSLY ...
Seats, Mar 21, 2016
DRIVERS SEAT BROKE LOOSE. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN I STARTED MY LEFT TURN THE SEAT SUDDENLY ROCKED BACK AND THEN SLAMMED FORWARD. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AS MY FOOT HAD COME OFF THE GAS PEDAL DURING THE ROCK BACK AND THEN STEPPED BACK ON IT AS I WAS THROWN FORWARD FORWARD. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT.
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, IT FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AND WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF FAILED TO CLOSE, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE INTERNAL SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 15, 2016
MY DRIVER SIDEHEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. I WENT TO THE DEALER LAST MONTH WITH NO HEADLIGHT AND CONDENSATION INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. PAID $750 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE UNIT. ITS BARELY A MONTH LATER AND THE SAME LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN AFTER IT RAINED TWO DAYS BEFORE. ITS AGAIN FULL OF CONDENSATION. THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS FAULTY AS IT ALLOWS WATER TO COME INSIDE AND SHORT OUT HID BULBS AND UNIT.
Steering, Mar 9, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. CANNOT MANEUVER. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY.
Steering, Wheels, Seats, Mar 5, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR
Wheels, Feb 26, 2016
[I BOUGHT MY CAR USED, AND IT CAME WITH THE TPMS LIGHT ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER REAR SENSOR WASN'T TRANSMITTING. I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE OFTEN, AND IGNORE THE TPMS LIGHT BECAUSE THOSE SENSORS ARE EXPENSIVE! MORE ON THIS LATER.] AS I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT A FEW WEEKS AGO, I REALIZED I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE ON THE DRIVER FRONT. I PULLED OVER AND, AS I WAS TAKING THE LUG NUTS OFF, NOTICED THE VALVE STEM HAD DISAPPEARED. AFTER I GOT TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY WERE INSPECTING THE TIRE, THE TECH INFORMED ME THE FLAT WAS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE VALVE HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE TIRE! THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE DID NOT HAVE A FAULTY SENSOR; THE VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED (BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER) WITH A NON-SENSOR VALVE. I FOUND IT STRANGE THAT NOW TWO TIRE VALVES HAD BEEN REPLACED ON MY CAR. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE, I DISCOVERED MY MODEL YEAR HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE VALVES BREAKING OR FALLING OUT! AND NOW MY DRIVER REAR TIRE IS LOSING AIR, SO I SUSPECT THAT VALVE NEEDS REPLACED, AS WELL. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THEIR EMAIL RESPONSE INCLUDED NO MENTION AT ALL OF THE TIRE VALVES - THE ENTIRE POINT OF MY CONTACTING THEM. I FOUND OTHER OWNERS ONLINE STATING MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE ONE REPLACED VALVE WITHOUT A SENSOR (COURTESY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNER), THE $80 VALVE I JUST REPLACED (WITH A SENSOR), ONE VALVE I SUSPECT IS LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACEDN, AND ONE VALVE THAT MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME LIKE THE ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS AND RECTIFY IT. THEY'RE LUCKY THAT VALVE FAILED BEFORE MY ROAD TRIP ON THE 9TH, WHEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY! AND I DON'T APPRECIATE HAVING TO SPEND $320 TO CORRECT MAZDA'S MISTAKES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2016
THE DASH BOARD IS MELTING FROM HEAT.
Seats, Feb 19, 2016
I WAS DRIVING WITH FRIENDS IN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY TO GET SOME DINNER. 70 IS OUR SPEED LIMIT. ALL OF SUDDEN I HEARD A SNAP UNDER ME AND MY BODY SHIFTED. I SIT PRETTY UP RIGHT SO I FELT MOVING BACK AT LEAST TWO INCHES AND MY HAND SHIFT POSITION AS WELL WHICH ALMOST CAUSE A ACCIDENT. I CALL THE DEALER TODAY, "YOU'RE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SORRY" REALLY? I ALMOST DIE IN A CAR YOU GUYS SELL ME AND I GET A SORRY? IT WAS EITHER GET IT FIX OR PLAY WHEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEAT BRACKET IS GOING TO SNAP.
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2016
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE EALRY 2010. AROUND 2013 MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO SHINE A BIT IN A SMALL SECTION BY THE DRIVER SIDE. I TOUCHED IT AND THE MATERIAL OF THE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY. NOW, 2016, THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND SHINEY DUE TO WHAT I FOUND OUT WAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS IS CAUSING A HORRIBLE REFLECTION ON MY WINDOW WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN HITS. EVEN AT NIGHT I HAVE TROUBLE SEEING PROPERLY. MY VISIBILITY DRIVING IS BEING AFFECTED AND IT IS NOT SAFE. ON TOP OF THAT, EVERYTHING STICKS TO MY DASHBOARD AND ENDS UP WITH BLACK GUNK ON IT. THE PICTURES I'VE ATTACHED DO NOT DO IT JUSTICE, IT'S WORSE THAN WHAT IT LOOKS IN THE PICTURES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2016
THE INSIDE PANEL OF THE DRIVER, WITH HEAT GETS STICKY AND PREVENT THE DISPLAY BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN
Structure, Feb 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Traction control system, Service brakes, Feb 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE BUT THE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT IS WORSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND CONTINUES ACROSS THE WHOLE DASHBOARD. IT IS CAUSING A NOXIOUS FUMES AND A GLARE THAT AT TIMES GOES ACROSS THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS WORSE IN THE MORNING AS THE SUN RISES AND ON SUNNY DAYS. THE GLARE CHANGES AS YOU DRIVE AND MAKES THE ROAD APPEAR AS IF SOMETHING IS IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE ROAD. THE GLARE CAN BE FROM 5 INCHES DIRECTLY IN YOUR LINE OF SIGHT TO GOING ACROSS AT LEAST 2/3 OF YOUR VIEWING LINE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD-CAUSING IT TO LOOK AS IF SOMEONE HAS THROWN SLICK OIL OR A SILVER SHEET OF METAL IN THE ROAD. HAVE SWERVED QUITE A FEW TIMES (DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION I AM DRIVING), CAN'T SEE WHEN PEOPLE STEP OFF OF A CURB, AS THE GLARE COMES IN THE SOON AND CAN BE THERE FROM THE START OF YOUR DRIVE OR APPEAR OUT OF THE BLUE AS YOU CHANGE DIRECTIONS OR PARK. YOU CAN'T HELP TO RESPOND TO THE GLARE WHEN IT APPEARS-ESPECIALLY WHEN ON UNFAMILIAR ROADS. THE SMELL IS OF BURNING PLASTIC. I LIVE IN FLORIDA ANY DAY OVER 80 DEGREES IN THE SHADE OR WHEN PARKED DIRECTLY IN THE SUN CAUSES THE DASHBOARD TO EMIT A NOXIOUS SMELL, GET SOFT AND GOOEY. BUGS, INSECT DROPPINGS, DUST, AND LINT GET STUCK IN THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSE GLARE. I DRIVE AT LEAST 3 HOUR/DAY MINIMUM. THE SMELL CAUSES A HEADACHE/SORE THROAT/NAUSEA. I CAN'T PUT A VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN-IT GETS STUCK IN THE MELTING DASH AND THE VISOR. WHEN YOU REMOVE THE VISOR IT SPLATTERS "GOO/PLASTIC" ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CAN ONLY BE REMOVED WITH A RAZOR. RISKING GETTING THE HOT GOO ON YOUR HAND/ARM/FACE. YOU CANNOT WIPE AWAY ANY OF THE MELTING PART AS IT IS REALLY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD ONLY CONTINUES TO MELT. I SELL REAL ESTATE AND NO LONGER TAKE CUSTOMERS INTO MY CAR NOT ALLOWING ME TO DO BUSINESS THE WAY MOST SALES PEOPLE DO, BECAUSE CLIENTS COMPLAIN OF THE SMELL/FEELING SICK.
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Wheels, Feb 3, 2016
TIRE VALVE STEM ON 2010 MAZDA 3 CORRODING AND BRAKING APART. THE FIRST VALVE STEM BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS PUTTING AIR IN MY TIRES. NOW TWO MORE ARE VISIBLY CORRODED AND THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM TO THE WHEEL ARE BREAKING APART (ONE OF THEM HALF THE NUT FELL OFF).
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2016
TIRE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND PUNCTURES THE TIRE. I HAD ALREADY REPLACED TIRE SENSORS ON ALL THE WHEELS AND IT IS HAPPENING EVERY YEAR. I ONLY HAD 44,000 MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES AND TIRE SENSORS. I HAD THE CAR PARKED YESTERDAY NIGHT AND ALL THE TIRES HAD GOOD PRESSURE AND DROVE IN THE MORNING OUT THE DRIVEWAY. WITHIN LESS THAN 0.5 DRIVING MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL GOT FLAT. AFTER TOWING TO DEALER, I FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TIRE SENSOR.
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2016
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL FOR EITHER LOW OR HIGH BEAMS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY DURING RAIN OR AT NIGHT. THERE IS NOT ONLY MOISTURE BUT QUITE A BIT OF WATER ACCUMULATED INSIDE BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 2015 AS A CERTIFIED PRE OWN WHICH COMES WITH FULL LIMITED WARRANTY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO SERVICE THE ISSUE BUT THEY INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THEIR ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IT IS $1,900.00 I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IS MORE A MANUFACTURER SAFETY ISSUE THAN A WARRANTY CLAIM. I DID RESEARCH AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE HEADLIGHTS FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINS CALLING IT A CONDENSATION ISSUE ON 2010 MAZDA 3S. IT WAS ALSO STRANGE THAT THE DEALER REP COMMENTED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN IN A CRASH WHEN THE CARFAX REPORT INDICATED THE OPPOSITE AND WE HAVE THANKFULLY BEEN ACCIDENT FREE SINCE ITS PURCHASE. PLEASE REVIEW AND ADVISE.
Seats, Jan 13, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BREAKS AWAY FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SITTING IN THE SEAT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO LEAN FORWARD OR ELSE THE SEAT ROCKS WAY BACK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HOLD THEMSELVES UPRIGHT. DURING A FAST ACCELERATION OR QUICK STOP THE CHAIR EXHIBITS CHARACTERISTICS THAT CAN ONLY BE CALLED UNSAFE AND UNSETTLING TO THE DRIVER. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW THE SEAT WILL HOLD UP IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 1, 2016
DASHBOARD IS MELTED, CAUSING EXTREME GLARE DURING THE DAYTIME. THE GLARE FROM THE MELTED DASHBOARD IS DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH AND CAUSES SAFETY AND VISIBILITY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING.
Seats, Dec 29, 2015
I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WAS ROCKING ON THE LEFT SIDE AND WOULD LIFT UP. WHEN I GOT DOWN ON THE FLOOR BOARD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FRONT WELDS WAS COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND LAYING ON THE FLOOR BOARD. WHILE TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE THIS MORNING, I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE OTHER SIDE OF MY SEAT BROKE AND MY ENTIRE SEAT WENT BACK, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET INTO AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. NOT ONLY WAS MY AND MY 3 YR OLD DAUGHTERS SAFETY AT RISK, BUT I NOW HAVE LOST A DAY OF WORK UNTIL THIS CAN BE FIXED. AS IF THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH, I SPOKE WITH MAZDA CORP. (1-800-222-5500) ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO B/C MY DASHBOARD IS TOTALLY MELTED. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY NICE AND MAZDA IS GOING TO REPLACE MY DASHBOARD AFTER YEARS OF THE RUN AROUND AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE BIGGER ISSUE: HOW IS IT THAT MAZDA IS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THEIR DASH BOARDS MELTING, AND THEY HAVE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS FILED IN THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR FAULTY SEAT WELDS, AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON EITHER OF THESE THINGS???????????????? WHY??????????? DO LIVES HAVE TO BE LOST FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO A RECALL????
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTING. GLARE ON WINSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2015
DASHBOARD COVER IS MELTING CAUSING EXTREME GLARE AND INABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.
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.