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.
Visibility, Jul 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THE CONTACTED INDICATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS IN THE CLOSED POSITION DURING THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000...UPDATED 08-26-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER IT FOUND THAT SUNROOF EXPLOSIONS ARE A DOCUMENTED OCCURRENCE DUE TO LOW TEMPERED GLASS, PRIMARILY FROM MEXICO. UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS UPDATED 8/20/14*CN
Structure, Jul 9, 2014
DASHBOARD OF MY MAZDA 3 2010 IS STICKY AND MELTING CAUSING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS I DRIVE DURING HIGH TRAFFIC TIMES. *TR
Wheels, Jul 6, 2014
LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. PULLED IN TO THE GAS STATION TO CHECK TIRES AND NOTICED A FLAT REAR TIRE. WENT TO PUT AIR IN AND SAW THE VALVE STEM WAS GONE. HAD IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM. THEY ARE ALL CRACKED. JUST GOT BACK FROM A VACATION. GLAD THIS DIDNT HAPPEN ON THE TUNPIKE. SEEMS VERY SOON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. BEEN DRIVING 40 YEARS. THIS IS A FIRST.VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS.40 ,000 MILES SEEMS PRETTY SOON FOR THIS. *JS
Structure, Jul 2, 2014
DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING, TO MY SURPRISE WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT WAS PROBABLY BY A CLEANING PRODUCT WITCH WASN'T THE CASE. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT BY THE GLARE, MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT. IT SEEMS IT IS THE CASE TO MANY OTHERS MAZDA 3 OWNERS I KNOW. I NEVER SAW THIS HAPPENING TO ANY CAR DASHBOARD BEFORE. IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF MY SAFETY WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jun 28, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2010 MAZDA 3 IS MELTING MAKING IT LOOK AS IF A STICKY SUBSTANCE IS COVERING IT. ON TOUCH, FINGERS STICK TO THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR REMAINS IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE AT ALL TIMES, SO IT IS NOT BEING EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS. THE ONLY EXPOSURE TO THE SUN IS WHILE DRIVING AND DURING THAT TIME, THE CAR'S AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THE STICKY SUBSTANCE CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH IN FLORIDA IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. IT SEEMS A VERY CHEAP AND DEFECTIVE MATERIAL HAS BEEN USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Visibility, Jun 27, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, I HEARD LIKE A GUNSHOT AND AT FIRST THOUGHT THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT BEHIND ME. HOWEVER, I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A GAPING HOLE IN MY SUNROOF. AT THE TIME, THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92 DEGREES AND THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED. THE INSIDE COVER, HOWEVER, WAS OPEN, SO THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE INSIDE MY CAR. I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY DEBRIS OR ROCKS. MY FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE BODY OF MY CAR WAS FINE. IT WAS JUST THE SUNROOF THAT SEEMED TO EXPLODE ON ITS OWN. MAZDA WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT. AN INSURANCE CLAIM HAS BEEN FILED. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Jun 24, 2014
IN LAST 6 MONTHS MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING! I HAVE NOTICED IT WAS GETTING SHINY AND STICKY AS IF SOMEONE HAD POURED GLUE ON IT. I HAVE TRIED TO USE NUMEROUS DIFFERENT CLEANERS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE SURFACE IS SO SHINY IT IS CAUSING GLARE WHEN I DRIVE OR MT TEENAGERS DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS UNSAFE. NOW I AM RESEARCHING AND FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE. IS THIS ALSO AFFECTING MY AIRBAG? *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTING WHICH CAUSES GLARE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jun 17, 2014
WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, THE HEAT FROM THE SUN HAS MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IT BECOMES STICKY AND FLAKING OFF. THE MAJOR ISSUE IS THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2014
MELTING DASHBOARD - CAUSES AWFUL GLARE IN WINDOW AT TIMES OF DAY. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2014
APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO I NOTICED MY DASH BOARD WAS WET LOOKING AND STICKY. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFTEY HAZZARD AS THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASH AFFECTS MY VISION WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAYLIGHT. *JS
Seats, Jun 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING HERD A POPPING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, THE SEAT THEN STARTED ROCKING BACK IN FORTH. SEAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WELD POINTS ON THIS MODEL. MY 3RD MAZDA NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 1ST 2 BUT THE 2010 MAZDA 3 QUALITY DOES NOT HOLD UP TO THE PREVIOUS YEARS. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 6, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Tires, Wheels, Jun 5, 2014
ON 4/19/14, I HAD A BROKEN TPMS SENSOR WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SENSOR WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT TIRE. THEN AGAIN ON 6/2/14, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON A DIFFERENT TIRE - THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE. *TR
Tires, Wheels, May 28, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE A LOW TIRE. I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION NEAR MY HOUSE RIGHT AFTER AND CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURES. WHEN CHECKING THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE PRESSURE WITH A TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE THE TPMS SENSOR AND STEM PUSHED IN AND AIR BLASTED OUT, BLOWING SEVERAL PIECES OF THE SLEEVE THAT KEEPS THE STEM IN PLACE OFF OF THE WHEEL/STEM. I PICKED UP THE 2 REMAINING PIECES (ONE THIRD OF THE SLEEVE WAS MISSING AND PRESUMED TO HAVE FALLEN OFF WHILE DRIVING) AND THEY HAD CRACKED LENGTH-WISE AND HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE CORROSION IN THE THREADS. THE REMAINING STEM WAS ALSO COVERED IN WHITE CORROSION ON THE THREADS AND THE TIRE HAD LOST MOST OF ITS PRESSURE. I STILL HAVE THOSE PIECES OF THE CRACKED TPMS SENSOR SLEEVE IF NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND WHEEL TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INSPECTED THAT WHEEL AS WELL AS THE OTHERS. THEY STATED THAT 2 OF MY OTHER TPMS SENSORS HAD CRACKED SLEEVES THAT COULD COME OFF AT ANY TIME IN ADDITION THE ONE THAT HAD FAILED. IF ONE OF THOSE HAD FAILED ON ONE OF MY FRONT WHEELS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, May 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DR
Tires, Wheels, Equipment adaptive/mobility, May 20, 2014
IN THE MAZDA 3, THE TPMS SENSOR IS CONNECTED TO THE AIR VALVE. THE TPMS SENSORS BREAK EASILY, CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. IF THE OUTSIDE PART OF THE TPMS SENSOR BREAKS FROM CORROSION OR BEING HIT AGAINST A CURB, THE TIRE WILL DEFLATE. I HAVE HAD 3 TPMS SENSORS BREAK SINCE I HAD THE CAR, WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN 4 YEARS (APPROX 39,000 MILES), AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. MY TIRES ARE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. THE PART OF THE TPMS EXPOSED ON THE OUTSIDE WILL CORRODE, AND IF THE OUTSIDE PART BREAKS OFF, YOUR TIRES DEFLATE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MAZDA OWNERS. THESE THINGS BREAK AND THEN CAUSE A FLAT, LEAVING THE DRIVER IN A POSSIBLE EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE REASON FOR THE TPMS SENSOR IS SO DRIVERS DON'T HAVE BLOW OUTS, BUT THE EMERGENCY LIGHT IS VERY NONSPECIFIC, SO THE ONLY WAY YOU KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE FLAT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED, WHICH IS UNNECESSARILY CAUSED BY THE TPMS SENSOR. THIS LATEST INCIDENT INVOLVED ME STRANDED IN THE COUNTRY, YET ANOTHER TPMS SENSOR REPLACEMENT ($200 APPROX), A NEW TIRE, AND AN ALIGNMENT - ALMOST $500 TOTAL. IF THE TPMS SENSOR HADN'T BROKEN, THE FLAT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AT ALL. *TR
Structure, May 19, 2014
DASHBOARD IS VERY SHINY. STARTED TO REFLECT OF WINDSHIELD AND CAUSE A GLARE. VERY STICKY AND IS LITERALLY MELTING. HAS A CONSTANT SHINE CAN NO LONGER CLEAN IT AND GLARE IS GETTING WORSE AND DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT. *JS
Power train, May 13, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. APPARENTLY MY CLUTCH JUST RANDOMLY WENT OUT. I HAVE TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING $1000. MAZDA SAID ITS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AT 67000 MILES WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. IT SHOULD NOT JUST RANDOMLY GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 9, 2014
CLUTCH GAVE OUT AT 33,000 MILES. THAT IS ABSURD. MAZDA CLAIMS ITS UNDER THEIR "WEAR AND TEAR" BUT THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON MAZDA 3'S BACK IN 2011. *TR
Structure, May 1, 2014
CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2009 AND UP UNTIL LAST YEAR I HAD VERY FEW PROBLEMS AND WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER, LAST YEAR I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD APPEARED TO BE VERY SHINY AND EXTREMELY STICKY. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH SOME TYPE OF GLUE HAD BEEN POURED ON IT. WHEN I TOUCHED THE DASHBOARD THE MELTED MATERIAL WOULD COME OFF ON MY FINGERS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THEY ARRANGED TO HAVE THE MAZDA AREA REPRESENTATIVE COME AND LOOK AT IT. HE EXAMINED THE DASHBOARD AND TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE, MOSTLY IN STATES LIKE FLORIDA, THAT ARE BASICALLY HOT ALL YEAR. HE STATED IT WAS THE GLUE USED TO SECURE THE DASHBOARD WHICH WAS LEACHING UP. HE APPROVED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE PART AT NO CHARGE, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST $300.00 TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. IF THE PART WAS FAULTY WHY DO I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THE NEW PART INSTALLED. I HAVE DONE NOTHING AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD, MY CONCERN IS WILL THE AIRBAG WORK CORRECTLY INSIDE THIS DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD? I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON MY LOCAL NEWS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. *TR
Wheels, Apr 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,850.
Seats, Apr 18, 2014
DRIVER SEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS. A PIECE OF METAL DETACHED AND IT LOOKS LIKE VERY CHEAP METAL AND POOR WELDING. *TR
Structure, Apr 10, 2014
THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. *TR
Seats, Apr 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BRACKET HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT THE VEHICLE WAS 86,000.