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 9, 2020
DASHBOARD ABOVE INDICATION PANEL IS STICKY/TACKY AND LIGHT REFLECTING OFF OF THIS SECTION IS VISIBLE ON THE WINDSHIELD JUST BELOW EYE LEVEL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2020
NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH FEELING STICKY THIS WEEKEND (LIKE THE DASH IS MELTING). THE STICKY AREA CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. WITH THE HIGH TEMPS, IT WILL LIKELY ONLY GET WORSE. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. FOUND OUT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION THAT LITERALLY EXPIRED FOR ME A WEEK AGO. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ISSUE OR WARRANTY EXTENSION. WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET THIS COVERED SINCE I JUST BARELY MISSED THE WINDOW.
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2020
THE DASHBOARD OF MY VEHICLE HAS RECENTLY STARTED MELTING AND PRODUCING A STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT GIVES OFF A MAJOR GLARE IN MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. I CONTACTED MAZDA TO REPLACE BUT THEY ADVISED THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. BEING THAT IT IS A HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, I BELIEVE THAT MAZDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING ALL DASHBOARDS WITH THIS ISSUE AND IT BE CATEGORIZED AS A RECALL AND NOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2020
AT APPROXIMATELY 49,000 MILES THE LEFT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LATCH STARTED TO FAIL. THIS CAUSES THE LOCKS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY AT ALL SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS SOMETIMES MADE WORSE DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURE OR HOW BUMPY THE ROAD IS. I HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE CONNECTOR ON THE ACTUATOR BEING LOOSE AND NOT ALWAYS MAKING A GOOD CONNECTION. THE ISSUE CAUSES ALL DOORS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK OR JUST STAY UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE TO KEEP THE DOME LIGHTS TURNED OFF BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY WOULD STAY ON. THE COMPUTER WAS THINKING THAT THE DOOR WAS OPEN. I'M SETTING THE DATE OF IT HAPPENING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH BUT IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2020
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN STALLING AS I DROVE ON THE FREEWAY. IT STALLS AND FEELS LIKE IT WON'T CHANGE GEARS. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THE COMPUTER CODE WAS NOT GIVING THEM ANY INFORMATION AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS THE STICKY DASHBOARD THAT MAZDA IS AWARE OF AND EXTENDED THE FACTORY WARRANTY ON. HAVING SAID THAT MY STICKY DASHBOARD JUST DEVELOPED WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER SHIP ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS A FEW MONTHS OVER THE WARRANTY EXPERATION. THIS STICKY DASHBOARD IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS BECAUSE I GET A GLARE OFF OF IT ONTO MY WINDSHIELD THAT CAN MAKE IT HARD TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY. THIS DASHBOARD ISSUE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND NOT A WARRANTY EXTENSION BEFORE PEOPLE START TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2020
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS YOU CAN DO IT SO IT CAN BE FIX AND DRIVE RIGHT AND I YOU CAN COME AND GET IT AND I NEED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL MY IS FIX
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2020
EVERYTHING NEED'S TO BE REPAIR ON IT ASAP AS YOU CAN DO IT SO THE CAR CAN BE FIX
Visibility/wiper, Aug 5, 2020
MY CAR'S DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING AN AWFUL SMELLY CHEMICAL FUME OF WHATEVER IS DETERIORATING. TOUCHING IT RESULTS IN GETTING MOLTEN DASHBOARD ON MY FINGERS AND THERE IS AN AWFUL GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. IT'S BEEN HOT THIS SUMMER AND WHATEVER THE DASHBOARD IS MADE OF WAS NOT BUILT TO HANDLE HEAT.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 27, 2020
STICKY DASHBOARD INTERFERES WITH WINDSHIELD GLARE HE WINDSHIELD TEND TO GET A VERY BAD GLARE AND MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE DUE TO THE DASH BOARD. THE DASH BOARD IS ALL STICKY AND GETS WORSE WITH THE HEAT
Seats, Jul 20, 2020
THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE FRAME OR SOMETHING, ROCKS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR.
Service brakes, Jul 19, 2020
I JUST BOUGHT MY DTR A 2010 THAT HAS THE SAME SPONGY BRAKE PROBLEM I'VE READ A LOT ABOUT ONLINE. THE PEDAL GIVES VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE (AND THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING) FOR THE FIRST 1-2" OF TRAVEL, THEN IT WORKS AND BRAKES NORMALLY. I TRIED TRYING TO ACTIVATE THE ABS MANY TIMES AS SOME MENTIONED HAD "FIXED" THE PROBLEM FOR THEM BUT THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. NOT ONLY DID IT NOT FIX IT, BUT IT MADE ME REALIZE THAT THE ABS DOESN'T WORK SINCE AT LEAST 1 TIRE LOCKED UP AND WAS SKIDDING. SO SPONGY BRAKES, NO ABS, AND NO ABS WARNING LIGHT. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS (SOME SAY A NEW ABS AND BRAKE BOOSTER FOR $2K TOOK CARE OF IT, BUT OTHERS SAID IT DIDN'T), AND SOMEONE SAYS THERE'S EVEN A TSB FOR IT. SO OBVIOUSLY IT'S A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, BUT MAZDA APPARENTLY WON'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GETTING $$.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 15, 2020
THERE IS A RECALL APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE WHICH REQUIRES THAT ENGINE MOUNTS BE STABLILZED. IT MAKES MY CAR VIBRATE AND THE ENGINE SOUNDS LOUD WHILE SEATED IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A COUPLE OF DEALERS AND THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE REQUIRED PART. I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.BECAUSE IT WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LET IT SIT IN MY GARAGE SINCE 2008. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD CAUSED A HOLE IN THE COOLANT TANK AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THAT'S WHY IT OVERHEATED. THE CAR RUNS FINE NOW, BUT NEEDS TO HAVE THE ENGINE MOUNT PUT IN. WHAT DO I DO NOW? IN ADDITION, MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FUSE ISSUE, BUT ANOTHER MAZDA 3 OWNER TOLD ME THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE
Structure, Jul 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD MELTED, CAUSING A GLARE WHILE DRIVING IN SUN LIGHT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR WHICH THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2020
MY DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO CLEAN AND HAS A CONSTANT VERY BAD GLARE THAT WONT GO AWAY, AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT TIMES. IT'S ALMOST AS IF ITS MELTING. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT AROUND 2 YEARS AGO. MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED SHIFT WHEN I TURN CORNERS, LAST WEEK 6/24/2020 AND I'M SCARED FOR MINE AND MY BABIES SAFETY AS I AM A NEW MOM, ALSO THE WELLBEING OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I DONT DRIVE IT MUCH UNLESS NEEDED, AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WORK FROM HOME.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 30, 2020
DASH IS MELTING AND I HAVE VERY POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO A LOT OF GLARE REFLECTION. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 22, 2020
SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. ABS BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING. STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED. BRAKING PROPORTIONING NOT FUNCTIONING. ALL RELATED TO ABS MODULE ISSUE THAT MAZDA IS AWARE OF BUT WON?T RECALL. SEVERELY AFFECTS THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STOPPING POWER AND STABILITY ARE DECREASED WHEN ABS UNIT FAULT OCCURS. PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, EVEN ON LOW-MILEAGE CARS. SERVICE BULLETIN HAS EXISTED FOR YEARS AND NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED TO RECALL. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
THE DASH ON MY VEHICLE HAS MELTED AND BECOME SHINY AND HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND MAZDA HAS "EXTENDED" THE WARRANTY ON THE DASH, HOWEVER SINCE MY CAR HAS A "BRANDED TITLE" FROM HAIL DAMAGE THIS EXCLUDES MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE ISSUE IS OUTSIDE THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES AND IS LISTED ON THE MAZDA WEBSITE. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DASH. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SAFETY HAZARD I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL VS THEM EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO SAVE COSTS ON NOT HAVING TO REPLACE CERTAIN VEHICLES. HTTPS://INSIDEMAZDA.MAZDAUSA.COM/PRESS-RELEASE/MAZDA3-AND-MAZDA6-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-STATEMENT/ *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2020
STICKY SURFACE DASHBOARD, DASHBOARD GLARE, *TR
Structure, May 14, 2020
DASHBOARD MATERIAL BEGAN TO MELT CAUSING SHINY REFLECTION IN WINDOW. UNSAFE AND NOT ABLE TO 'CLEAN ' I HAD TO INSTALL A DASHBOARD COVER TO STOP THE REFLECTION ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER OWNERS OF SAME CAR REPORT SAME ISSUE SO IT MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW BY MANUFACTURERS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL YET. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT IT COULD HAVE OCCURRED HAD I NOT RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND PROACTIVELY PREVENTED IT. *TR
Structure, May 3, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND LIGHT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD IMPAIRING MY DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SAFELY DRIVE AT TIMES NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. MAZDA SAID THEY WON'T REPLACE IT.
Seats, May 1, 2020
MY DRIVER SEAT HAS SUBSTANTIAL UNWANTED MOVEMENT. I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE SEAT NOW MOVES 2" BACK AND FORTH WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THIS IS IMPAIRING MY ABILITY TO PROPERLY USE THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND MAINTAINING SPEED WITH THE GAS PEDAL.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2020
I AM CURRENTLY THE OWNER OF A 2010 MAZDA 3. MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED BY ME 7 MONTHS AGO HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. I HAVE GONE TO A MAZDA DEALER REGARDING A RECALL FOR THE DASHBOARD AND WAS DECLINED, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AS I EXPERIENCE A GLARE BOUNCING OFF THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING AND ONLY GETS WORSE UNDER THE FLORIDA SUN.UPON FURTHER INQUIRIES ON THE INTERNET THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RECALL HOWEVER MAZDA DEALERS ARE NOT ABIDING BY THE RECALL AND REFUSE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 10, 2020
MELTING OF DASHBOARD PROJECTS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD BLINDING THE DRIVER LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON SUNNY DAY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2020
MELTING DASHBOARD PROJECTS A SHINY REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD ON SUNNY DAYS AND BLINDS THE DRIVER LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD.