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.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2015
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3 AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, STICKY, AND CAUSES SIGNIFICANT VISIBILITY ISSUES ESPECIALLY DURING DAYTIME HOURS. IN MY LINE OF VISION, THERE ARE REFLECTIVE ISSUES COMING OFF OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD IMPAIRING MY VISION DURING DRIVING. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN FOR JUST A FEW HOURS, THE MELTING DASHBOARD PUTS OFF VARIOUS ODORS THAT I AM SURE ARE PROBABLY NOT HEALTHY TO BREATHE IN. I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHER MAZDA OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT OF THEIR DASHBOARDS MELTING AND MAZDA NOT WANTING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLES ARE OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING, GETTING STICKY AND SMELLY IT REFLECTS ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IT MAKES REALLY HARD TO SEE
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 IS MELTING. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY STICKY AND REFLECTIVE. IT HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND IS SPREADING QUICKLY. I HAVE NOT SPILLED ANYTHING ON IT, I HAVE NOT USED ANY HARSH CHEMICALS TO CLEAN THE DASH, AND I KEEP THE CAR IN GENERAL AS CLEAN AS I CAN. WHEN I AM DRIVING INTO THE SUN THERE IS A GLARE/REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING THROUGH. I AM UNABLE TO CLEAN IT BECAUSE IT IS SO STICKY. IF THE AFFECTED AREA KEEPS SPREADING, THEN THE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WILL BECOME LARGER AND LARGER. I DO NOT WANT THE GLARE TO BECOME SO BIG I CAN'T SEE CARS SLOWING DOWN IN FRONT OF ME OR ANYTHING ELSE OF THAT NATURE. THE DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IN MY MIND THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE REPLACED.
Exterior lighting, May 9, 2015
THE HOUSING UNIT OF ONE HEADLIGHT BEGAIN RETAINING MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION AND SUBSEQUENTLY BEGAN SHORTING OUT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE COMPLETE HOUSING UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND IT IS AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST. NOW, THE SECOND HEADLIGHT IS DOING THE SAME.
Structure, May 2, 2015
DASHBOARD ON MY MAZDA 3 2010 HAS BECOME STICKY AND REFLECTIVE CAUSING SUNLIGHT TO REFLECT OFF DASH AND COULD MAKE DRIVING HAZARDOUS. *TR
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
Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Apr 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD A STICKY RESIDUE OR FILM THAT WAS BUILDING UP. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO UNBUCKLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE BUCKLE. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S CHARGER TO BECOME STUCK AND UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION NEAR THE CONSOLE OF THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR MALFUNCTION IN WHICH THE GAUGES, SENSORS, AND WARNING LAMPS FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE RADIO WAS SHORTING INTERMITTENTLY. LATER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Apr 25, 2015
I'VE CALLED MAZDA SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY DASHBOARD MELTING AND THE DON'T WANNA DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND AS TIME GOES BY IT GETS WORSE UR FINGER PRINTS STAY IN DASHBOARD WHEN TOUCH. *TR
Structure, Apr 22, 2015
STICKY SUBSTANCE ON THE DASHBOARD HAS AFFECTED MY VISION WHILE I DRIVE DUE TO A HEATED CAR AND EXCESSIVE SUN GLARE. I PURCHASED A SUN VISOR WHICH IS NOW MELTING ONTO MY DASHBOARD. AT THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH A STICKY, GOOEY, TAR SUBSTANCE THAT BECOMES HOT RUBS OFF ONTO MY HAND.WHEN DRIVING, THE MELTING SUBSTANCE REFLECTS OFF THE GLASS AND MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. IN SUMMARY, MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. . *TR
Tires, Apr 21, 2015
WHILE ADJUSTING THE AIR PRESSURE IN A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE THE TIRE AIR VALVE/TPMS SENSOR BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *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
Seats, Apr 13, 2015
THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT SHOULD BE FASTENED TO THE SLIDE ADJUSTER WITH FOUR PUSH NUTS (TWO PER SIDE), BUT EARLIER VIN NUMBERS ARE MISSING PUSH NUTS EITHER FROM WEAR OR BECAUSE MAZDA DID NOT INCLUDE THEM IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. BECAUSE THE PUSH NUTS ARE MISSING, THE SEAT FREELY ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. THE ROCKING CAN BE SO EXTREME THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT ROTATES BACKWARDS ONTO THE REAR BENCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR AT LEAST TWO REASONS: 1) IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, THE FORCE WOULD KNOCK THE DRIVER AND SEAT BACKWARD RATHER THAN ABSORB THE IMPACT OF THE DRIVER'S BODY; AND 2) IF THE SEAT SUDDENLY ROCKED BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MAZDA DESCRIBES THE ISSUE IN TSB 09-049/10, BUT PURPORTS THAT THE ISSUE MERELY PRODUCES A "RATTLE NOISE." BUT THE SEAT DOESN'T JUST RATTLE, IT ALSO HINGES ALL THE WAY INTO THE BACK SEAT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. *TR
Structure, Apr 1, 2015
MY MELTING DASHBOARD IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I PURCHASED MY MAZDA USED IN APRIL 2014 AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE DASHBOARD ISSUE (AT THE TIME I TEST DROVE IT WAS DUSK). OVER THE PAST YEAR, IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD IT CANNOT BE CLEANED OR EVEN TOUCHED. I PARK MY MAZDA IN THE GARAGE OR IN THE SHADE/USE SUNSHADES AT WORK. IN THE MORNINGS OR AFTERNOONS WHEN DRIVING ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY, THE GLARE IS SO BAD I SOMETIMES HAVE TO LIFT MYSELF OUT OF THE SEAT IN ORDER TO SEE THROUGH A PATCH OF WINDOW THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE GLARE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND THE FACT THAT MAZDA IS ALLOWING THIS TO GO ON IN LIGHT OF THE HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IS ABHORRENT, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. GET WITH THE PROGRAM MAZDA BEFORE SOME GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 30, 2015
DURING THE SUMMER THERE WAS A TOXIC SMELL THAT WAS MAKING MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO RODE IN THE VEHICLE ILL. DEALERSHIP SAID THE SMELL WAS PROBABLY THE PURGE VALVE WHICH WAS NORMAL AND THAT BASED ON THE SMELL MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE PURGING MORE THAN OTHERS BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. SUMMER OF 2014 THE SMELL BECAME EXTREMELY UNBEARABLE WHILE IN THE VEHICLE I WAS SUFFERING SEVERE NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS, AND BURNING SENSATIONS IN MY EYES AND AIRWAYS. PEOPLE COULD SMELL THE TOXINS JUST BY OPENING THE DOOR. I NOTICED THE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DASHBOARD AND CAME ACROSS ANOTHER MAZDA OWNER WHO BECAME ILL BECAUSE OF THE OFF-GASSING FROM THE PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE SO I RAN THE SAME TEST BEFORE TRADING IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A TOXIC LEVEL OF CHEMICALS INCLUDING FORMALDEHYDE. MY APOLOGIES TO THE OWNER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RESOLD TO BY THE DEALERSHIP, I HOPE YOU DON'T BECOME AS SICK AS I DID. *TR
Steering, Mar 30, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME IN A CITY STREET, AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30MPH. SUDDENLY, WHILE ON A CURVE, I LOST POWER STEERING! THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY RIGID AND THE CAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION BY SHEER ARM STRENGTH. I NEVER REGAINED POWER STEERING. *TR
Structure, Mar 18, 2015
MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT. THE TOXIC FUMES STARTED AFFECTING MY ALLERGIES AND NOW I'M SUFFERING FROM SEVERE SINUSITIS. *TR
Structure, Mar 15, 2015
DASHBOARD BEGAN GETTING STICKY, AND NOW IT IS A GOOEY SHINY MESS. THERE IS A REFLECTION IN MY WINDSHIELD, AND IT CAUSES A GLARE THAT DECREASES THE VISIBILITY. THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO SOFT WHERE IT HAS NOT GOTTEN SO BAD. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR SOME OTHER FORM OF REMEDY. *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, Mar 2, 2015
DURING THE SUMMER MY DASHBOARD BECAME STICKY AND SHINY DUE TO THE HEAT IN FLORIDA. IF TOUCHED THE PLASTIC FROM THE DASHBOARD WILL STICK TO SKIN, FABRIC, AND EVEN THE WINDOW COVER. EVEN DURING THE COOLER MONTHS THE DASHBOARD NEVER RETURNS TO ITS ORIGINAL TEXTURE. AGAIN USING A WINDOW COVER DOESN'T KEEP THE DASHBOARD FROM MELTING SINCE THE CAR CONTINUE TO HEAT UP. THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS GLARE DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND MAKES THE DASHBOARD MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE OR STAINING OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 1, 2015
DROVE 80 MILES TO DESTINATION ON FREEWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL. CAR ACCELERATED ABOVE CRUISE SETTING ON DOWNHILL - DID NOT ENGINE BRAKE TO HOLD SPEED. WHEN PULLING INTO DESTINATION HOTEL PARKING SPOT AND WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE REVVED DRAMATICALLY. APPLIED BOTH FEET TO BREAK. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CHANGED GEARS TO N, R & P, BUT ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. TURNED ENGINE OFF. SMOKE GENERATED FROM ENGINE ENTERED CABIN. DID NOT USE CAR UNTIL NEXT DAY. RETURNING HOME NEXT DAY USED CRUISE CONTROL AND EXITED FREEWAY FOR BREAK. SLOWING DOWN FOR STOP LIGHT WITH CAR AHEAD AND FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN ENGINE REVVED AGAIN AS BEFORE. SHIFTED CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF CAR THEN BACK ON. DROVE CAR TO DEALER ON WAY HOME WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. THIS DEALER IS WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CARE AND ALL WORK EXCEPT TIRES/ALIGNMENT AND BATTERY OCCURRED. THEY EXAMINED AND INSPECTED THE CAR AND KEPT IT FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS LOGGING 200 MILES WITHOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR
Structure, Feb 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE DASH BOARD WAS MELTING WHICH CREATED A GLARE THAT BLOCKED THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER WHEN LIGHT REFLECTED OFF OF THE DASH BOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Structure, Feb 19, 2015
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING FOR SOMETIME. CAUSES BAD GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2015
MY DASHBOARD MELTED. *TR