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, Sep 16, 2014
MY DAUGHTER'S 2010 MAZDA3 HAS A DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING. SHE SAYS THE GLARE FROM IT WHEN DRIVING IS VERY BAD. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM WHAT I AM SEEING REGARDING COMPLAINTS, THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AS A RECALL? IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 13, 2014
MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO MELT, AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO SINCE. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND COLLECTIONS DUST AND GRIM. THE MELTED MATERIAL HAS A GLOSSY SHINE WHICH REFLECTS A BRIGHT GLARE INTO THE DRIVERS EYES AND ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS COSMETICALLY UNATTRACTIVE AND CAUSES A DRIVING HAZARD WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 11, 2014
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FILL UP WITH WATER AND CONDENSATION AFTER RAIN SHOWERS OR CAR WASHES. NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN DONE TO THESE ASSEMBLIES. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 11, 2014
I NOTICED THAT MY DASH BOARD HAS STARTED TO MELT CREATING A VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. IT IS VERY STICKY. *TR
Structure, Sep 10, 2014
MY MAZDA3 DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I HAVE NEVER USED ANY CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND I'VE RECENTLY BEEN USING A SUNSHADE PROTECTOR BUT THAT DOESN'T NOT SEEM TO BE HELPING. THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD AFFECTS MY VISION OF THE ROAD. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CLEAN MY WINDSHIELD WITH MILD DISH SOAP BECAUSE THE RESIDUE TRANSFER FROM MY SUNSHADE ONTO MY WINDSHIELD. THE COST OF REPLACING MY DASHBOARD IS NOT INCLUDED IN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PACKAGE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY MAZDA DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,200.00 TO REPLACE THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON THE MOUND ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, IN DIRECT LINE OF VIEW OF ROAD AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD. STICKY GLUE TYPE TEXTURE THAT NEVER DRIES. UNABLE TO PUT A SUN BLOCKER IN THE VEHICLE TO CONTAIN THE SPREADING ISSUE AND WHILE DRIVING IT CREATES GLARE. *TR
Structure, Sep 7, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE GLARE THIS CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKES IT HARD TO SEE. *TR
Structure, Sep 6, 2014
MY MAZDA 2010 DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. *TR
Structure, Sep 5, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AWAY, VERY STICKY AND VERY SHINY CAUSING THE SUN TO IMPAIR VISION AS I'M DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Sep 5, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY MAZDA3 SEEMS TO BE MELTING. THE BRIGHT SHINY PLASTIC IS CREATING A GLARE THAT HINDERS MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE PLASTIC IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. ALSO, WHEN MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AWHILE DURING THE DAY IT SMELLS OF MELTED PLASTIC WHEN YOU GET BACK INTO IT. *TR
Structure, Sep 4, 2014
I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA 3, BOUGHT BRAND NEW, OFF THE LOT IN 2010 AND THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, CAUSING A SEVERE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS CAUSING ME A DRIVING HAZARD AS THE GLARE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE! THE DASH MATERIAL IS ALSO CRACKING AND MELTING AROUND THE AC VENTS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 3, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING!! IT APPEARS THAT IT IS DETERIORATING CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES. IT IS BECOMING STICKY AND APPARENTLY IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AS THE SUN GLARES DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD, THE SUNS' RAYS BOUNCE OFF THE SHINY DASHBOARD CAUSING ME TO LOSE VISION IN TRAFFIC. THE MAZDA DEALER IS NOT WANTING TO REPLACE IT STATING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME TO PAY OVER $400 FOR THE LABOR AND 50% OF THE PART. I EVEN CALLED THE MAZDA HQ AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGE, STATING THEY COULD DO NOTHING BETTER THAN THE OFFER THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO HIGHER UP MANAGEMENT AT CORPORATE BUT WAS TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT NOBODY COULD ASSIST ME FURTHER. THIS IS SO ABSURD!!! PLEASE HELP BEFORE I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Sep 3, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A REFLECTION ON THE FRONT WINDOW WHICH IS A DRIVING HAZARD AS THE REFLECTION ON THE WINDOW CAUSES LIMITED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. DASHBOARD IS MELTED AND STICKY TO THE TOUCH, MOSTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE BUT ALSO TO A LESSER DEGREE ON PASSENGER SIDE. NO CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN USED ON THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Sep 2, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY CHEMICALS THAT WOULD CAUSE IT. *TR
Structure, Sep 2, 2014
VEHICLE HAS THE MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE REPORTED ON NISSAN, MAZDA, LEXUS AND TOYOTA HTTP://WWW.ABCACTIONNEWS.COM/MONEY/CONSUMER/TAKING-ACTION-FOR-YOU/HUNDREDS-OF-DRIVERS-SAY-THEIR-DASHBOARD-IS-MELTING-AND-CAR-MAKERS-ARE-NOT-ISSUING-A-RECALL HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=458121. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 1, 2014
CAR'S DASHBOARD IS MELTING CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS SHINY AND STICKY, AND THE REFLECTION OF THE SHINING DASH CAN SOMETIMES BE SEEN IN THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 1, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, WHICH HAS MADE THE SURFACE HIGHLY REFLECTIVE. THIS RESULTS IN POOR VISIBILITY WHEN IT REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD. COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT IF IT REMAINS AS-IS. *TR
Structure, Aug 27, 2014
THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS MELTING. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND HAS A VERY GLOSSY LOOK TO IT. WHEN DRIVING DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY, THE DASHBOARD CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2014
BLACK 2010 MAZDA 3, PURCHASED USED IN DECEMBER 2011; ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE DASH STARTED GETTING STICKY AND NOW IT IS LITERALLY MELTING. I HAVE NEVER USED ANY CLEANING PRODUCTS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND WHEN I DO CLEAN THE INSIDE OF MY CAR, I USE A SOFT TOWEL. NOW I CANT EVEN CLEAN MY DASHBOARD, DUE TO THE STICKINESS AND POSSIBILITY OF RUINING IT EVEN MORE. THE DASH CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE WHILE DRIVING AND I FEEL THIS LACK OF VISIBILITY IS A HAZARD TO THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE, PASSENGERS, OTHER DRIVERS, AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Structure, Aug 27, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON MY DAUGHTERS CAR. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. CONTINUES TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH THE HEAT. VISIBILITY GETTING WORSE AS WELL. *TR
Structure, Aug 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN THE VEHICLE WAS MELTING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE MELTED DASHBOARD REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED A GLARE THAT WOULD AFFECT THE CONTACTS VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 10/09/14*LJ
Structure, Aug 25, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTED FROM HEAT, MADE THE DASHBOARD STICKY AND SHINY TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY CAN BE AFFECTED IF THE SUN HITS IT THE RIGHT WAY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE SPOTS IN THE ROAD. POTENTIAL HAZARD TO HIT, PROPERTY, PETS, OR EVEN SMALL CHILDREN. IF THEY CAN RECALL MAZDA FOR SPIDERS IN THEIR ENGINES THEN WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECALL TO FIX THIS VISIBILITY HAZARD. *TR
Structure, Aug 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,250.