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, 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
Seats, Dec 16, 2014
SAT IN DRIVERS SEAT HEARD AND FELT A SNAP UNDER DRIVERS SEAT. BROKEN WELD ON SEAT BRACE. *TR
Seats, Dec 9, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BECOMING LOOSE AND "CLUNKING" UPON CORNERING AND ACCELERATION. A POST TO A MAZDA GROUP, AS WELL AS GOOGLE SEARCHES RESULTS IN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS OF THE SEAT TRACKS BREAKING AND THIS BEING A "COMMON FIX". THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR CAUSE FURTHER INJURY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *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
Seats, Dec 4, 2014
I OPENED MY CAR AND SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AS PER USUAL ONLY TO FIND THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT FELT LOOSE. AS I LEANED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS I COULD FEEL THE SEAT MOVING WITH ME. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER MY SEAT TO SEE WHAT MAY BE LOOSE. WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT THE PART OF THE SEAT ASSEMBLY THAT ATTACHES TO THE RAIL SYSTEM HAD COME OUT. I LOOKS LIKE A SMALL METAL BOLT THAT GOES THROUGH A METAL RAIL AND IS EITHER BOLTED DOWN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OR WELDED TOGETHER. *TR
Structure, Dec 3, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTING AND TACKY TO TOUCH, CAUSES GLARE WHEN DRIVING, ATTRACTS LINT AND DEBRIS DUE TO STICKINESS. *JS
Engine, Dec 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,537.
Seats, Nov 30, 2014
DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, VERY LOOSE AFTER. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT A METAL BRACKET ON LEFT RAIL BROKE (SPLIT IN HALF). *TR
Structure, Nov 28, 2014
I LEFT MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK, AND WHEN I CAME BACK THE DASHBOARD HAD MELTED. I LIVE IN SAN ANTONIO TX, AND IT WASN'T A PARTICULARLY HOT DAY BUT IT MELTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IT CREATES A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IN MY OPINION, AND MANY OTHER CASES THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Structure, Nov 28, 2014
THE DASH HAS A GOO / HAS MELTED FROM HEAT SMELLS AND HAS CAUSED A SHINE THAT CAUSES DIFFICULTY TO SEE AS DRIVING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
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, Nov 22, 2014
DASH BOARD MELTING. *TR
Air bags, Nov 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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
Structure, Nov 12, 2014
OVER TIME, MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO MELT AS I CLEANED IT WITH SOAP AND WATER IT ONLY GOT WORSE! THEY GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD IS SO BAD THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF DAY I CANNOT SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS NOT SAFE! *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, Nov 9, 2014
THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS MELTING. IT PRODUCES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD ON SUNNY DAYS CREATING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. *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, Nov 5, 2014
THE FRONT DASH IN MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MELTING AND KEEPS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. WHEN I RUB A CLOTH ACROSS IT, THE FABRIC STICKS TO THE DASH. I'M VERY GOOD ABOUT USING A SUNSHIELD WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE, BUT THIS HAS NOT PREVENTED THE MELTING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2014
MULTIPLE TIMES, STARTING IN THE SUMMER OF THE VEHICLE'S FOURTH YEAR, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD. LUCKILY IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY INJURIES OR DEATH DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MORE DILIGENT OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *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, Nov 3, 2014
MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND DURING THE DAY IT IS HARD TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE GLARE THE MELTING DASH BOARD. THE FRONT HOOD PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF ONLY ON SELECT SECTIONS OVER THE ENGINE. *TR
Structure, Oct 30, 2014
THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. IT HAS A STICKY, SHINY TEXTURE NOW. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, SO I GUESS IT MELTED FROM THE HEAT. IT'S SO BAD I CAN'T PUT ANYTHING NEAR OR ON IT FOR FEAR IT MIGHT GET RUINED BY THE DASHBOARD (EX: PARKING PASSES). THE GLARE SOMETIMES GETS BAD ENOUGH WHERE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR IS JUST ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD NOW, BUT THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTED FOR A LONG TIME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF HEALTH RISK FROM DRIVING AROUND WITH MELTING PLASTIC IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE. *TR