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 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that overtime the dashboard had become glossy and sticky due to excessive heat. The contact also stated that on sunny days, the sun would reflect off the glossy surface and would obstruct her vision while driving. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and they informed her that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was informed that unless she had received a notification that her vehicle was under recall or warranty, no assistance could be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Traction control system, Jul 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the brake failed with the ABS warning light, traction control, and emergency brake light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was engaged and failed to bring the vehicle to a stop. The brake pedal was depressed twice before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the traction control module and ABS module needed to be replaced. Additionally, the brake fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2021
The dashboard is actually melting. It’s sticky and shiny and causes a reflection on the windshield that Makes it very difficult to see.
Service brakes, Jul 19, 2021
Component: ABS Hydraulic Unit; How was safety at risk: The failure of the ABS system clearly poses a risk; Reproduced: The original ABS Hydraulic Unit has a known design flaw that causes it to fail under mild environmental conditions (see, e.g. SB-10053757-3542); Inspected: The problem has been diagnosed by an independent mechanic; Warning lights: The ABS light (and occasionally DSC and BRAKE lights as well) sometimes became illuminated.
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2021
I have been experiencing unintended acceleration while in D (drive) but stopped with my foot on the brake. For instance, when fully stopped at a light, the car will suddenly experience a small burst of acceleration and propel forward. I see the engine rpm go up when this occurs even though I am stopped. This is very scary and uncomfortable as I feel like I lose control of the car during those times and can potentially hit another car or person in front of me.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 9, 2021
The dashboard is melting and its causing a poor visibility due to the shiny reflection on the windshield
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2021
MELTING DASHBOARD BLINES ME WHEN I'M DRIVING MY MAZDA 3 AT ALL TIMES WOULD LOVE TO FIX IT WHEN EVER POSSIBLE
Power train, Apr 22, 2021
I HAD MY MAZDA 3 FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKED SO BAD I THOUGHT I HAD HIT THE BRAKES OR HOT SOMETHING I COULDN'T SEE. BUT I HADN'T HIT THE BRAKES NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING. I TOOK IT TO MAZDA IN PANAMA CITY AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. IT FORGETS TO SHIFT. IT'S LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY AND I'M AWARE THAT THIS PART OF CAR ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO BREATH TO WORK RIGHT. I JUST KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK RIGHT AND EVERY TIME I DROVE MY CAR IT'S STEADY JERKING AND SNATCHING MY WHEEL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I KNOW THIS IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM SO WHAT CAN BE DONE
Structure, Feb 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR PLASTIC ON THE DASHBOARD WAS DEGRADING, CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO BECOME REFLECTIVE AND PRODUCING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPAIRED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 4, 2021
HORN WORKS ON AND OFF, CAR IS UNABLE TO REVERSE (PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD,TURNED THE CAR OFF WENT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT WORK,TRANSMISSION CLUTCH GETS STUCK AND TAKES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY AT A FAST SPEED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 16, 2021
HAS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK. DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH I STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN THE AT, ENGINE, TCS/DSC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. WHEN I MADE IT HOME I LET IT SIT. WHILE I LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE ON GOOGLE LATER THAT EVENING I WENT BACK TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND MY CAR JUMPED/ JERKED REAL HARD. AS I LET GO OF THE BREAK I NOTICED MY CAR DIDN'T SLOWLY MOVE ON ITS OWN LIKE PRIOR. I ACTUALLY HAD TO PRESS THE GAS DOWN QUITE A BIT. MY CAR REVVED UP TO 3 MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE CAR HAD NO POWER WOULD HARDLY MOVE. AS I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEMS AND LIGHT ISSUES IT WAS KINDA A SURPRISE HOW EASY IT WAS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. SINCE THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON ISSUE FOUND WITH THE MAZDA CARS. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE THAT WHEN YOU ORDER THE PART AT OVER $600.00 IN THE DIRECTIONS THAT IS SENT THEY ACTUALLY RECOMMEND RELOCATING THE TCM TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION USING ZIPTIES. WENT TO HAVE CAR CODES READ ON MY CAR INFORMED THE GUY WHAT I BELIEVED IT TO BE AND THE MOST LIKELY WILL BE U0101 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TCM, AND I WAS CORRECT.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2020
I BELIEVE THAT (RECALL CAMPAIGN 0917B) SAFETY RECALL APPLIES TO MY 2010 MAZDA3 GT, ALTHOUGH IT TOOK OVER 2.5 YEARS TO OCCUR (AUGUST 2017) THE COMPLETE FALLOUTS DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL NOW...(DECEMBER 2020) INITIALLY, FELT A POP IN MY BACK (FROM THE FRAME?) WHILE I WAS DRIVING, PULLED OVER AND THE SEATS MOVED FINE SO DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF. MEANWHILE, A DISTINCT RATTLING OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BEHIND ME. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (PAID THEIR SPECIAL SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF ($165+) WITH 'MASTER TECHNICIANS' WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS SEAT RECALL, YET, FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT OR EVEN LOOKED IF YOU ASK ME, YET WANTED ME TO CORRECT THE NOISE BY BY INSTALLING BOTH FRONT AND REAR NEW SUSPENSION (~$1000). TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SUSPENSION SPECIALIST AND FOUND ONLY ONE (1) PART OF THE SUSPENSION THAT MAY HAVE REQUIRED CORRECTING BUT WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. I ASKED IF THE REMAINING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE SAFE AND IF THEY WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. AND THEY SAID'NO' ONLY ONE (1), AND IT WAS BARELY DAMAGED, BUT I REPLACED IT ANYWAY. TOOK IT BACK FOR AN OIL CHANGE SINCE THEY WERE TREATING ME HONESTLY. TWO DAYS LATER, AS I WAS LEAVING MY WORK, THE SEAT FELL OFF THE RIGHT RAIL AS I WAS DRIVING. IN RETROSPECT, THE PUSH NUTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE POPPED OFF AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRAME HAS LOST ITS INTEGRITY, SO I SAT ASKEW. UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY UNLESS A PIECE OF WOOD IS HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE RAIL. IS IT POSSIBLE TO STILL REPAIR MY CAR'S DRIVER'S SEAT UNDER THE AFOREMENTIONED SAFETY RECALL? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING AND AM WITHOUT OPTIONS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE HELP!!
Seats, Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2020
THERE WAS A POP I FELT IN MY BACK AS I WAS DRIVING (JULY 2017) I NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. DUE TO MY WORK, I HAD MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANY DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE HAD MY DASH REPLACED (WESCOTT, NATIONAL CITY, CA) BUT NO ONE MENTIONED THE SEAT PROBLEM THAT I CAN RECALL. NOW IT IS DECEMBER 2020 AND THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT HAS BROKEN? WHILE DRIVING I SIT ASKEW THE RIGHT HALF OF MY BODY IS LOWER THAN THE OTHER. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER SEAT WHEN THIS WAS AN ACTIVE RECALL NO MATTER THE DELAY.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING A DOG. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS BRAKING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE BRAKE PADS, BRAKE BOOSTER, AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE BRAKES PEDAL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. CARMAX (507 SIMONS RUN, LYNCHBURG, VA 24502) (434) 239-0163) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2020
OUR 2010 MAZDA3 HAS A STICKY DASHBOARD THAT APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT SMEARS AND COLLECTS DIRT AND DOG HAIR, ETC. OTHER THAN BEING UNSANITARY AND UNSIGHTLY, I WORRY THAT THERE IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE GLARE. I'M ALSO CONCERNED WHETHER THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING TOXIC COMING FROM THIS MELTED MATERIAL.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2020
STICKY DASH ISSUE, THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2010 MAZDA3 HAS BEEN MELTING FOR AGES. IT CAUSES GLARE WHEN DRIVING OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2020
I'VE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP SO IT'S BEEN HAVING THIS. I'VE ALSO SEEN THAT THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE AS WELL. THE DASH BOARD ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER IS EXTREMELY STICKY. A LARGE PORTION OF IT. AND MORE TO THE RIGHT, ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX, IT'S CRACKED. I'M ASSUMING IT HAS DO SOMETHING WITH THE SUN.
Service brakes, Nov 14, 2020
ABS COMPONENT IS RUSTED AND BROKEN LEAVING ABS NOT A FUNCTIONING SAFETY MEASURE.
Service brakes, Nov 9, 2020
HAD MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON SO I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED THESE UP IN MY MAZDA HANDBOOK. IT SAID TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON MY CAR FOR YEARS AND I TRUST HIM. HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE DSC MODULE AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WILL NOW BE CHARGED $150 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE SAME THING MY MECHANIC DID. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT. I THINK THIS IS UNFAIR TO US THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE OR THAT THIS REPAIR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CAR OF MY VEHICLE AND NOW I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR.
Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2020
OVER TIME, THE DASHBOARD UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHEILD OF MY CAR HAS MELTED. NOW IT'S STICKY AND VERY SHINY. WHEN THE DIRECT SUN HITS IT, IT CAUSES A DANGEROUS GLARE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE IN FRONT. WHILE MAZDA HAS EXTENDED A WARRANTY ON THIS REPAIR, I WAS NOT INFORMED AS I WAS ABOUT OTHER RECALLS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECAL NOTICE - WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION DATE AS IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 5, 2020
THE FUEL SENDER UNIT, LOCATED IN TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK AND IS CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK. THE NIPPLE THAT PROTRUDES FROM THE FUEL PUMP HAS CRACKED FROM WHAT LOOKS TO BE PRESSURE FROM THE CONNECTING FUEL HOSE. BECAUSE OF THIS PRESSURE, THE NIPPLE LEAKS AND SPRAYS A MIST OF FUEL OFF TO THE SIDE. THE PRESSURE LOOKS TO BE TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE AS THE CRACK THAT DEVELOPED WAS DIRECTLY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE(DRIVERS). THIS TYPE OF FUEL LEAK CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FUEL TANK IS LOCATED NEAR EXHAUST COMPONENTS. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, THIS LOOKS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON IN MANY MAZDA 3 VARIANT FROM 2006 AND ON.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2020
STICKY DASH LEAVES A MAJOR GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN THE SUN
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2020
PARTS OF DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY AND CAUSES A GLARE WHILE DRIVING
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2020
I AM HAVING A STARTER PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON ALTERNATOR AND STARTER. BOTH PASSED EXCEPT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2010 MAZDA'S THAT ISN'T SHOWING UNDER MY VIN NUMBER. RECALL NUMBER 09V126000. I'VE TAKEN IT TO GET LOOKED AT AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MAZDA. I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE REJECTED FOR THIS RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2020
STICKY DASHBOARD PANELS CAUSING EXCESSIVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD; MAZDA ONLY COVERED THIS UNDER A 10 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION THAT ALREADY EXPIRED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT. THE PROBLEM APPEARED AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN A MORE HUMID CLIMATE IN LOUISIANA FOR 2 YEARS.