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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 686

Of the 2010 reports, 18 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.

Primary concernStructure169 reports · 25% of complaints
Owner complaints686Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Structure169
  2. Other or unspecified133
  3. Seats106
  4. Visibility/wiper100
  5. Wheels54
  6. Electrical system50
  7. Tires48
  8. Power train40

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  1. Tires, Feb 11, 2013

    MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE MAZDA 3 HEADED EAST ON I-94 IN BROOKFIELD, WI NEAR THE MOORLAND ROAD EXIT ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 65MPH. THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. THEN A FEW SECONDS AFTER THAT THE STEERING BECAME WOBBLY AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE CAR, DECELERATE AND PULL TO THE SHOULDER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. WITH THE HELP OF STATE TROOPER DAVID W. HANSON SHE GOT THE TIRE CHANGED. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013 I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC. WE FOUND THE TIRE VALVE AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INSIDE THE SHREDDED TIRE. THE VALVE STEM HAD BLOWN INTO THE TIRE. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THAT. I HAD THE MECHANIC, ROB OF ERV'S SERVICE IN HARTLAND, WI EXAMINE THE OTHER TIRES AND VALVE STEMS ON THE REMAINING WHEELS OF THE CAR. HE FOUND ANOTHER VALVE STEM WITH A CRACKED HOUSING THAT WAS READY TO FAIL. I HAD THE MECHANIC REMOVE IT AND SECURE THE VALVE STEM. I RETAINED THE FAULTY PARTS. I BELIEVE THE VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, THE SHREDDING OF THE TIRE SIDEWALL AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. INJURIES AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

  2. Power train, Feb 7, 2013, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

  3. Wheels, Jan 11, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER CHECKING HIS VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,861.

  4. Tires, Wheels, Dec 30, 2012

    SPONTANEOUS FAILURE OF TIRE VALVE STEM RESULTING IN THE NEAR INSTANTANEOUS DECOMPRESSION OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. AT THE TIME I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE OF THAT WHEEL. THE STEM SEPARATED INTO TWO PIECES WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF WEAR. *TR

  5. Tires, Dec 7, 2012

    NEW CAR, MAZDA M3, PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. YOKOHAMA TIRES WERE ON THE CAR. CAR CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES AND TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED. LAST NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE TO FIX THE FLAT, THE SIDEWALL HAD SPLIT FROM THE TREAD. THIS HAPPENED ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE MEANING THE SIDE OF THE TIRE AGAINST THE CAR SO IT WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM JUST LOOKING AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE SPLIT IS 15 INCHES IN LENGTH AND I CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ABOUT TO SPLIT AS WELL. I FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12T025000 TALKING ABOUT RECALL OF A YOKOHAMA TIRE THAT SEEMS TO MATCH WHAT I HAVE HAD. I HAVE CONTACTED MY CAR DEALER AS THE RECALL SAYS THE DEALER WILL REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY AREN'T AWARE OF ANY RECALL. I'VE BEEN ON HOLD FOR YOKOHAMA FOR 30+ MINUTES WITH NO LUCK IN SPEAKING TO A LIVE PERSON. I CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO HAVE A CAR AND BASED ON ALL I'VE READ ABOUT THESE TIRES, I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE MY CHILDREN RIDE ON TIRES THAT PERFORM LIKE THIS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT ON A PROCESS TO DETERMINE IF YOKOHAMA WILL MAKE GOOD ON THEIR WARRANTY CLAIMS. I HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND WILL BE PURCHASING 4 NEW TIRES AND NOT YOKOHAMA. *TR

  6. Power train, Nov 19, 2012

    AT AROUND 24,000 MILES I EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL CLUTCH FAILURE (COULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF GEAR) THAT WENT AWAY AFTER PUMPING THE CLUTCH PETAL. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO CLUTCH FREEZING UP IN THE COLD. AT AROUND 30,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHENEVER I ENGAGED/DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH. IN ORDER TO GET THE CLUTCH TO ENGAGE AT ALL I HAD TO LET OFF THE CLUTCH PETAL MUCH SLOWER THAN USUAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED AT AND WAS TOLD THE FRICTION DISC WAS WORN OUT, AND THAT THIS WAS A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND THEREFORE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THEY SAID THAT THE PILOT BEARING HAD FAILED. AFTER GETTING THESE ITEMS REPLACED A LOUD CREAKING NOISE OCCURS WHENEVER ENGAGING/DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE ISSUE IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. *TR

  7. Seats, Nov 14, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE PLASTIC HEIGHT ADJUSTER FOR THE SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE WHENEVER THE CONTACT COMPLETED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

  8. Power train, Nov 11, 2012

    I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO AN AUTHORIZED MAZDA DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND MENTIONED THAT I NOTICED A SLIGHT SLIPPING IN THE CLUTCH. I WAS LATER INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAD JUST 33,000 HIGHWAY MILES, THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. I COMPLAINED TO MAZDA CUSTOMER CARE AND GOT NO WHERE. THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART IS THAT AFTER THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIR, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CLUTCH SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABUSE AND THAT IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, THIS WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. EVEN WITH THIS INFORMATION, MAZDA ITSELF STILL WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. *TR

  9. Power train, Nov 7, 2012

    CLUTCHES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BULLET PROOF. BEING ONE OF THE MAIN PARTS OF THE CAR AND NECESSARY TO IT'S BASIC FUNCTION, CLUTCHES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE 5 YEAR/60,000 MILES WARRANTY. BUT THEY'RE NOT. THE CLUTCH ON THE 2010 MAZDA3 IS ONLY COVERED FOR 7500 MILES. THAT'S SUSPICIOUS IN AND OF ITSELF. SO HERE'S MY STORY, MY CLUTCH GAVE OUT AFTER 50,000 MILES. NO WARNING OR ANYTHING. THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO SAID IN THE 32 YEARS HE'S BEEN FIXING CLUTCHES, HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO HORRIFIC. HE HAD TO HAVE METAL FABRICATORS COME IN AND MAKE PARTS BECAUSE SOME OF THE SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT WAS SO WARPED. MAZDA CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. I'VE READ STORIES ONLINE WHERE PEOPLE REPORT THEIR CLUTCH BLOWING OUT AT 14,000 MILES. EDMUNDS.COM, A LEADER IN CAR RESOURCES RATES THE CLUTCH PROBLEM ON THIS SPECIFIC CAR AT A 9.7/10. IT'S A FAULTY PART IN A CAR AND MAZDA WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER IT TO BE AN ACTUAL THING. IT'S NOT RIGHT AT ALL. *TR

  10. Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2012

    THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3S SHINE 25' DISTANT 7' OFF THE GROUND MAZDA SAYS ITS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MAZDA SAYS THE LIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *TR

  11. Steering, Sep 27, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE ADN PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000.

  12. Power train, Sep 25, 2012

    THE CLUTCH ON MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION 2010 MAZDA3 SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING PROPERLY. IT GRINDS GEARS AND DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN I SHIFT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE IN TO A MAZDA DEALER ON SATURDAY, WITH A WEEK LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. ON MONDAY, THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEIR TECHNICIAN COULD NOT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR AS THERE WAS NO CLUTCH PAD! I WONDERED HOW I COULD DRIVE THE CAR TO THEM, BUT ONCE IT WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION, IT WAS SUDDENLY UNDRIVEABLE. I AM NOW BEING FORCED TO PAY $1100 TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH, BECAUSE THEY SAY MY WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I ASKED HOW A COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED CLUTCH PAD IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" ON A VEHICLE WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 16K MILES! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD IT FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING! I FILED A CLAIM WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I ALSO CALLED THE MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE, WHERE I WAS TOLD I COULD SIMPLY VOICE A COMPLAINT. "TOM" REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR OR ANYONE HIGHER THAN HIMSELF (HE WAS JUST A CALL-CENTER EMPLOYEE). HE OFFERED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND ASK THEM TO PROVIDE ME WITH A DISCOUNT. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE DEALER TODAY, THEY SAID TOM DID CALL THEM, BUT NEVER ASKED FOR ANY DISCOUNTS! ALL HE DID WAS EXPLAIN THAT MAZDA HAS NOT RECALLED THE CLUTCH, SO MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT. MAZDA SOLD ME A SUB-PAR VEHICLE, AND NOW THEY LIED ABOUT THEIR WAY OF HANDLING THE ERROR. I LOOKED ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE CLAIMING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS ON A LOW-MILEAGE CLUTCH. THIS CLEARLY IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, NOT DRIVER ERROR. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON IN THIS EXACT MAKE AND MODEL WITH SUCH LOW MILES. $1100 LATER AND I GET A NEW SHODDY CLUTCH WHICH I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IN ANOTHER 16K MILES. DISAPPOINTED AND WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED. *TR

  13. Steering, Electrical system, Sep 8, 2012

    ON AUGUST 29TH WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2010 MAZDA 3, GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND ALL THE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I TRIED TO RE-START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON STEADY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT, WHICH WAS FLASHING RED. IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE BECAUSE THE RADIO AND LIGHTS WORKED FINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALER. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ACCESS THE PCM TO READ THE ERROR CODE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED, AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE PCM. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND COMPLAINED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PCM FAILURE DOES NOT RELATE TO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. THIS IS SIMILAR TO COMPLAIN #10461029. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AGAIN, AND I WOULD LIKE MAZDA TO TAKE IT BACK. IT ONLY HAS 23000 MILES, AND I HAVE ANOTHER 6 MONTH TO GO ON MY LEASE. *TR

  14. Steering, Aug 23, 2012

    HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING LOSS WITH INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATION FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. AFTER ENGINE GETS UP TO TEMP POWER STEERING CUTS OUT. IT WILL SOMETIMES RESUME AFTER STOPPING TO LET THE ENGINE COOL. CURRENT RECALL EXTENDS TO 2007-2009 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UNTIL THE MONTH BEFORE MY VEHICLE WAS MADE. MAZDA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS COULD BE RELATED AND SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY WON'T REPAIR. *TR

  15. Tires, Aug 22, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VALVE STEM CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,750.

  16. Visibility, Structure, Jul 19, 2012

    HI, THIS MORNING I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENTIRE SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HIT MY CAR, NOR NOTHING THAT HIT MY SUNROOF. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON I-25 IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM. NEITHER THE SUNROOF NOR THE CAR HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN ANYWAY FROM THEIR STOCK FORM. THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUNROOF WAS VERY SCARY AND ALMOST CAUSE ME TO CRASH. *TR

  17. Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 24, 2012

    THE SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF STARTING STAYING ON, NOTHING WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. NOW THE SENSOR THINKS SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT ( WHEN NO ONE IS IN SEAT) AND KEEPS FLASHING THE BUCKLE SEAT BELT WARNING. *TR

  18. Steering, Jun 8, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE TURNED LEFT AND THE STEERNG WHEEL SEIZED. THE WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NOT ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,700.

  19. Seats, May 23, 2012, crash

    FROM THE START MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND EACH TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, THE REPLACED THE TRACK ASSEMBLY, TIGHTENED THINGS UP AND AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *TT ON THE DAY OF MY ACCIDENT, I WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT AND WAS THE CAR BEHIND ME. A DIFFERENT CAR SMASHED THROUGH THE CAR BEHIND ME CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND AND FORCING ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND THE SEAT ROCKED AS IF IT WAS A ROCKING CHAIR. DRIVING THE CAR HOME, THE SEAT ROCKED TO EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE IF I WAS IMPACTED WITH HIGHER FORCE THE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAME LOOSE FROM THE BASE.

  20. Seats, May 21, 2012

    I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND FELT THE DRIVERS SEAT SHIFT BACKWARDS. FROM THAT POINT ON THE SEAT WAS UNSTEADY AND MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHICH I WAS DOING, ACCELERATING OR BREAKING. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WELD ON THE SEAT BRACKET HAD BROKEN. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL BREAK AND COULD BE VERY HAZARDOUS IF IT HAPPENS UPON BRAKING. *TT

  21. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 27, 2012

    MANY TIMES BUT SPORADICALLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS MY MAZDA 3, WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WILL HAVE A SUDDEN SURGE IN RPM BETWEEN 1200-2500 RPM AND TRY TO ACCELERATE. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN FIRST THING IN THE MORNING MORE OFTEN. BECAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY READY THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH, THOUGH THE TIME RPMS REACHED 2500 I HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE CAR, ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP WHERE SUDDEN DECELERATION WAS NEEDED. I HAVE FOUND THAT ONE PUMP OF THE BREAK ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM IF THERE IS ROOM TO DO SO. *TR

  22. Structure, Apr 9, 2012

    THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH CABLE BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE NEW MAZDA 3. *TR

  23. Seats, Apr 5, 2012

    DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BROKE AT WELDED ATTACHMENT POINT TO ADJUSTER RAIL

  24. Tires, Mar 19, 2012

    WHILE CHECKING AND INFLATING A CUSTOMER'S TIRES THE VALVE STEM BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO COMPLETELY DEFLATE. *JS

  25. Electrical system, Visibility, Mar 12, 2012

    I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, PURCHASED BRAND NEW. IN JANUARY 2010. THE HEATER WHEN TURNING ON, MADE A LOUD CLICKING SOUND FOR APPROX. 20- 30 SECONDS, EACH TIME. UPON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, LOCAL MECHANICS, I FOUND OUT THE HEATER BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR IS THE PROBLEM. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE IT, BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS HEATER ASSEMBLY IS NOT ONLY USED BY MAZDA, NISSAN, TOYOTA, CHEVY, FORD, AND LEXUS. THIS IS HEATER IS KNOWN TO HAVE THIS DESIGN ERROR. ALSO THE DEALER HAD UNPLUGGED THE HEATER BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR BECAUSE THIS UNIT IS KNOWN TO START A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS MADE ME EXTREMELY NERVOUS. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.