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, Aug 21, 2014
FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING. IT HAS GOTTEN SUCCESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT NOW THAT THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS REFLECTING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE REFLECTION HAS GOTTEN SO BAD DURING THE DAY WHEN THE SUN IS OUT THAT THE VISIBILITY IS GREATLY IMPAIRED. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE OTHER DAY AND HE TOLD ME HE COULD NOT SEE OUT BECAUSE OF THE GLARE. THAT IS THE POINT WHERE I DECIDED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. IT SEEMS THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THE PART BUT THEY ARE ASKING ME TO PAY $170.00 FOR THE LABOR. THIS IS HAPPENING THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. IT IS A SAFETY RISK FOR WHOEVER IS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE COVERED COMPLETELY BY THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE THERE IS LIVES LOST THROUGH THIS. *TR
Wheels, Aug 20, 2014
REPLACED 1ST OF 16 TIRES TO DATE. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR, WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES 1X/YEAR. THIS IS DUE TO THE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE CAMBER ON THE CAR. DURING THIS TIME, WE'VE TAKEN IT TO 2 SEPARATE MAZDA DEALERS WHO DENY ANY DEFECT IN THE CAR. AS A LAST RESORT WE'VE CONTACTED MAZDA, NA, WHO REFERRED US BACK TO ONE OF THE DEALERS WE'VE DEALT WITH IN THE PAST. THEIR SOLUTION WAS ADDITIONAL ROTATIONS AND ALIGNMENTS. YOU CAN'T ALIGN CAMBER WHEN IT MEETS THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS THAT CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR ON THE INNER SIDE PREMATURELY. WE HAVE 80,500 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE PUT ON 4 SETS OF TIRES. MAZDA DENIES ANY DEFECT, JUST AS THEY DID 20 YEARS AGO WITH A SEAT BELT PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL AFTER GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION. THE TIRE ISSUE IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE WEAR IS OUT OF SIGHT. THIS LAST PAIR OF TIRES WERE PURCHASED DUE TO A BLOWOUT ON A MAJOR ROAD AND HAVING TO CHANGE TO THE DONUT WHILE ON THE SHOULDER. MAZDA WILL NOT BACK THEIR VEHICLES, SO DON'T BUY THEM! *TR
Structure, Aug 19, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN THE FLORIDA HEAT. NOT MUCH ELSE TO EXPLAIN BUT THAT WHEN IT'S LEFT IN THE SUN IT MELTS.. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE REFLECTION FROM THE MELTING, SHINY, DASHBOARD CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT AT TIMES BECAUSE THE REFLECTIONS FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Aug 16, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, STICKY AND CRACKING. WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY WHEN THE SUN IS OUT, IT CREATES A GLARE RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL CAUSING UNSAFE VISIBILITY ISSUES. IT IS ALSO A STICKY MESS, WHICH CAUSES DUST, DEAD BUGS AND HAIR TO STICK TO MY DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2014
I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT TO OFFICIALLY DETAIL, IN WRITING, THAT MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA3 HAS MELTED! I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THEIR ATTENTION THIS PAST APRIL, 2014, WHEN I HAD MY CAR AT MY LOCAL SHOP FOR OTHER REPAIR ISSUES. MY ADVISOR CALLED LATER THAT AFTERNOON TO SAY THAT HIS MANAGER STATED THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS "OUT OF WARRANTY", IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1000 OUT OF POCKET! THEY WERE NOT ACCOMMODATING AT ALL. THIS IS COMPLETELY LUDICROUS! CARS SHOULD NOT MELT! MY DASHBOARD IS TOTALLY RUINED! I CAN NEVER AGAIN EVEN WIPE IT OFF AS IT HAS LITERALLY TURNED INTO THE CONSISTENCY OF FLYPAPER! THE MELTED, STICKY, MESS GETS ON/RUINS EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES! AND, THIS ISN'T EVEN THE WORST PART! THE GLARE THAT RADIATES OFF OF MY WINDSHIELD AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY IS HORRIFIC! DRIVING IS A TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD!! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR! IT'S SO DANGEROUS! I HAVE PICTURES I CAN SEND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM! I FIND THIS TO BE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE! WARRANTY OR NOT, THIS IS A BLATANT DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS CAR! MY LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL HAS DONE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE AND THE LAST I HEARD, LAWYERS ARE GETTING INVOLVED AND THEY HAD MENTIONED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MAZDA, LEXUS, AND NISSAN. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS IS NOT A RARE INCIDENT! THIS IS A HUGE, PREVALENT PROBLEM! NOT TO MENTION, THE VALUE OF MY CAR IS NOW IN THE TOILET! IF I WENT TO TRADE IT IN OR SELL IT, EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 59,000 MILES, I WOULD TAKE A HUGE HIT ON WHAT I WOULD GET FOR IT! THIS IS A DEFECT! MAZDA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND THEY NEED TO BE FORCED TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE DEFECTS (USING NEW, UPDATED DASHBOARD MATERIAL SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN), AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THE GLARE ISSUE CAUSED BY THIS! *TR
Structure, Aug 13, 2014
DASH BOARD IS MELTING. WHEN DRIVING IT CAUSES A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING! *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2014
DASHBOARD GETTING VERY SOFT IN THE SUN. ALWAYS REMAINS STICKY AND CONTINUES TO LEAVE RESIDUE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING GLARE. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Aug 12, 2014
THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS BECAME CORRODED. ONE BROKE OFF DURING GETTING NEW TIRES INSTALLED, THE SECOND HAPPENED WHILE I WAS FILLING THE TIRE WITH AIR. IT JUST FELL APART IN MY HAND. *TR
Structure, Aug 12, 2014
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND SHINY. THE SHINY AREAS REFLECT SUNLIGHT AND CAUSE DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIAL DEFECT! *TR
Wheels, Aug 8, 2014
ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE RUSTING. RUST IS SO BAD THAT A FLAT TIRE CANNOT BE CHANGED, THE WHEELS ARE RUSTED COMPLETELY TO THE AXLES. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT WATER AND WAS PURCHASED NEW. *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTED DUE TO SUN EXPOSURE - DASHBOARD HAD TO REPLACED DUE TO GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 4, 2014
2010 MAZDA 3 DASH PANEL/DASHBOARD (P/N: BBM460400H02) IS MELTING. THE DASH PANEL SOFT-TOUCH COATING MATERIAL FIRST TURNED STICKY AND EVENTUALLY DISINTEGRATED INTO A VISCOUS SUBSTANCE. SURFACE FINISH TURNED FROM MATTE TO HIGH GLOSS. THE NOW REFLECTIVE DASH SURFACE CAUSES A LARGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 31, 2014
THIS CAR MAZDA 3 I PURCHASED IN 2011 AS A 2010 LEFTOVER NEW, AND THE DASH BOARD IS MELTING CREATING EVERYTHING TO STICK TO IT, AND ALSO OBSTRUCTING MY VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD ON SUNNY DAYS DUE TO THE NATURE OF HOW SHINY IT IS. IT LOOKS LIKE A WET DOWN DASH BUT THE REFLECTION IS CREATING VERY DIFFICULT VIEWING PROBLEMS ON SUNNY DAYS, DUE TO THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM IT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I WOULD APPRECIATE THIS BEING LOOKED INTO. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 30, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA3 HATCHBACK IS MELTING AND STICKY. WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN, THE GLARE FROM THE SHINY STICKY AREA REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT. IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE THE STICKY MELTING DASH AT FIRST, WHAT I NOTICED FIRST WAS THE FACT THAT I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR. I HAVE NOT USED A BUNCH OF CLEANERS ON THE DASH IN THE PAST. I DO USE A SUN SHADE IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN PARKED. *TR
Structure, Jul 29, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY MAZDA 3 IS "MELTING". THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY, TACKY TO THE TOUCH AND DEFORMING. THE CAR IS 4.5 YEARS OLD AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT COVER THE ISSUE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, MY FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST YEAR. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME SHINY IN THE AFFECTED AREA DUE TO THE "MELTING" AND IS REFLECTING THE SUNLIGHT INTO MY EYES DURING DRIVING IN SUNNY WEATHER AND IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. *JS
Visibility, Structure, Jul 29, 2014
TOP FRONT DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE MATERIAL IS NOW STICKY AND CAN'T BE CLEANED BECAUSE THE RAG/TOWEL STICKS. WHEN TOUCHED BLACK RESIDUE STICKS TO YOUR HANDS AND WHEN DRIVING THE SUN REFLECTS OFF THE SHINY STICKINESS AND CAUSES A DRIVING HAZARD ON THE WINDSHIELD. *JS
Structure, Jul 25, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2010 MAZDA3 IS MELTING. I NOTICED THIS ABOUT A MONTH AGO, BUT WHETHER IT STARTED BEFORE THAT I'M NOT SURE. NOW THERE IS A GLOSSY SHEEN TO THE DASHBOARD THAT IMPAIRS MY VISION WHEN DRIVING IN THE MORNING OR THE EVENING, WHEN THE SUN IS RISING OR SETTING. IT CREATES A GLARE ON THE GLASS. *TR
Structure, Jul 24, 2014
I OWN A 2010 MAZDA 3. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, THE DASH HAS STARTED TO MELT. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA AND BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP IN ANYWAY. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD! *TR
Structure, Jul 23, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY CAR HAS BEGUN TO MELT, CREATING A VERY SHINY SLICK WHICH (WHEN DRIVING AT THE PROPER ANGLE) CAUSES THE SUN TO REFLECT INTO MY EYES. WHILE I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS, IT HAS ONLY BEGUN TO MELT THIS SUMMER. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2014
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 4 YRS.THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT IN 2013. IT CREATES A SHINY REFLECTION ON THE FRONT GLASS WHICH BECOMES VERY IRRITATING UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY. *TR
Structure, Jul 21, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY MAZDA 3, 2010 IS MELTING. IT IS SOFT AND STICKY. *TR
Structure, Jul 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THIS IS PRODUCING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS SEEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Seats, Jul 18, 2014
THE DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A SHEET METAL PIECE (APPROXIMATELY 1/8 INCH THICK) THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT SLIDE ADJUSTMENT. THE SPRING RETAINER HAD POPPED OFF THE LOCATING PIN ALLOWING THE SHEET METAL TO BEND AND THE PIN TO COME OUT OF ITS RETAINING HOLE. I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE SPRING RETAINER, BUT THE SHEET METAL SNAPPED DUE TO WORK HARDENING. THE FAILURE MECHANISM APPEARS TO OCCUR BECAUSE THE SHEET METAL IS STAMPED DURING MANUFACTURE AND A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 THE WIDTH OF THE SHEET METAL IS PUNCHED THROUGH THE SHEET METAL DRASTICALLY REDUCING ITS STRENGTH. I PURCHASED A NEW SLIDE MECHANISM BECAUSE MAZDA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL OR SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THIS FAILURE. HOWEVER, WHEN I EXAMINED THE NEW SLIDE MECHANISM, I DISCOVERED THAT MAZDA HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDESIGNED THIS PART TO PREVENT THE TYPE OF FAILURE THAT I EXPERIENCED. THE NEW PIECE DOES NOT HAVE THE PUNCHED HOLE, BUT INSTEAD HAS A REINFORCED BOSS AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF WELDING TO ENSURE THE PIECE CANNOT BEND OR BREAK. MY GUESS IS THAT THE NEW DESIGN IS AT LEAST 100 TIMES MORE DURABLE THAN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. OBVIOUSLY, MAZDA CONSIDERED THE OLD DESIGN TO BE SUBSTANDARD. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL TO VERIFY THAT THE SEAT RETENTION HAS NOT FAILED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILURE RESULTS IN ONLY 3 POINTS OF RETENTION FOR THE SEAT AND THE DRIVER CAN POSSIBLY LOSE CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPER RESTRAINT IN THE SEAT. I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES OF THE NEW DESIGN AND DEFECTIVE DESIGN IF YOU NEED THEM. THERE ARE TWO SUCH PIECES PER SEAT SO THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR BOTH TO FAIL IN SEQUENCE CREATING A MORE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Jul 15, 2014
THE DASH COVER IN THE CAR IS MELTING AND THE GLARE FROM THE MELTED DASH IS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY. *TR