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.
Air bags, Feb 19, 2020
THE AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST 600.00 TO GET IT FIXED. IT ONLY CAME ON AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED PART OF THE SEAT ARM ON ANOTHER RECALL
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2020
DASHBOARD MELTED
Seats, Feb 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Service brakes, Jan 25, 2020
ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME AND HAVE STAYED ON. TOLD THE ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACING.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2020
THE CAR A RECALL FOR DASHBOARD IT'S MELTED THEIR GLARE WHEN THE SUN HIT YOU CANT SEE. TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUTER MY POCKET. WHEN DRIVING.
Engine, Dec 22, 2019
WITHIN A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING MY 2010 MAZDA 3 S SPORT SEDAN IN OCTOBER, 2018 FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN MIDVALE, UT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. USING A CODE READER, I CONSISTENTLY GET A CODE OF P0421, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE CATALYST EFFICIENCY IS BELOW THRESHOLD. I HAVE HAD 3 AUTO REPAIR SHOPS LOOK AT MY CAR, AND THEY ALL SAY THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DESPITE THE FACT THAT MAZDA WARRANTS CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS/PZEV VEHICLES (WHICH MINE IS) FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES ON ALL EMISSIONS RELATED COMPONENTS, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I CURRENTLY DO NOT LIVE IN A STATE THAT USES CA EMISSIONS STANDARDS WHEN TESTING VEHICLE EMISSIONS. I FEEL THAT SINCE MY CAR IS NOT PERFORMING AS IT WAS DESIGNED AND MAY BE RELEASING MY POLLUTANTS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE THAT IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO CHARGE TO ME, REGARDLESS OF WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE. IN ADDITION, WHEN I START THE CAR ON A COLD ENGINE, I CAN SMELL EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE A LEAK AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS TO ANYONE DRIVING THE CAR IF THEY INHALE THE EXHAUST GASES THAT MAY ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON DAILY (UNLESS I RESET IT, AND THEN IT GOES BACK ON AGAIN LATER AFTER DRIVING) AND MY CAR WILL NOT PASS ITS NEXT EMISSIONS INSPECTION WITHOUT THIS ISSUE BEING FIXED.
Service brakes, Dec 3, 2019
THE ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ONE DAY SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE IS A MAZDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM FOR AREAS WITH HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AND WAS CONSTANT IN THE HOT WASHINGTON DC SUMMER, BUT HAS BECOME INTERMITTENT NOW THAT WINTER HAS COME. THE TSB IS QUOTED BELOW. THIS REALLY SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL VERSUS A TSB. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BULLETIN 357659 ACTION NUMBER: 10053757 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 357659 REPORT DATE: JUL 17, 2013 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SUMMARY: MAZDA: THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND ABS MOTOR MONITOR SIGNAL FAILS TO CORRESPOND TO ABS HU/CM ON/OFF SIGNAL AND HAPPENS IN AREA WHERE THERE IS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY. MODEL 2010-2011 MAZDA3. *PE
Air bags, Nov 19, 2019
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON MY WAY HOME. THERE WAS NO CRASH. I PULLED OVER LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE THERE WAS ZERO DAMAGE. DROVE VEHICLE HOME CONTACTED MAZDA THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A INSURANCE CLAIM EVEN THOUGH I SENT THEM A VIDEO OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS AND DRIVERS SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RANDOMLY.
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2019
ENGINE STALLS DUE TO VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT MAZDA ISNT HONORING WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR REPAIS FIRST. AS I WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND I TEMPORARILY LOST POWER. SHUT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN
Seats, Nov 16, 2019
THE BRACE THAT CONNECTS THE BOTTOM OF THE SET TO THE MECHANISM THAT PIVOTS AS THE HEIGHT OF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED HAD A WELD THAT FAILED / CRACKED. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE 17V082000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN THAT EFFECTED THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR, EXCEPT THIS IS A POWER SEAT INSTEAD OF A MANUAL SEAT. THE PART THAT FAILED IS IN THE SAME LOCATION OF THE SEAT FRAME AND APPEARS TO SERVE THE SAME PURPOSE THAT WAS RECALLED UNDER 17V082000. THE RESULT IS THE SAME, THE SEAT IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND INCLINES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DRIVING POSITION.
Engine, Nov 6, 2019
THE MAZDA DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO MAKE THE HARNESS FIX. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY CAR AND ONE DAY, MY CAR HAD LOUD ROARING SOUND. WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS LATER, IT BEGAN TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AND BLACK SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND BEGIN TO LOSE POWER ON FREEWAY OFF-RAMP. I COASTED TO BOTTOM OF OFF RAMP. THEN I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT TO MOVE IT TO A NEARBY KAISER LOT ADJACENT TO EXIT RAMP. FROM THERE, I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE.
Air bags, Oct 25, 2019
I START THE CAR AND REMAIN PARKED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES ONCE, PAUSES, AND THEN FLASHES SIX TIMES. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTINUES TO FLASH ONCE FOLLOWED BY SIX MORE FLASHES. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NO AIRBAG HAS BEEN DEPLOYED AND CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
Suspension, Oct 24, 2019
PER TECH CROSS MEMBER BUSHING. IT MAKES A CLERKING NOICE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 6, 2019
APPROX 4"X12" SECTION DASHBOARD MELTING ABOVE GAUGE CLUSTER AND CREATING GLARE BOTH OFF OF THE DASH AND ON THE WINDSHIELD. CANNOT CLEAN OFF GOOEY MESS
Seats, Oct 1, 2019
2010 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PAYING FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *LD *JS
Steering, Sep 30, 2019
WE PURCHASED A 2010 MAZDA3 IN 2017. RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES. THE CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING INTERMINETLY SO THE REPAIR SHOPS WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER HAD MOVED TO WASHINTON STATE AND AFTER LIVING THERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS REPAIR WAS VERY EXPENSIVE WITH THE PUMP ALONE BEING AROUND $1000 TOTALING $1500 AFTER BEING INSTALLED. NOW WE ARE A YEAR AND A HALF LATER AND GUESS WHAT LIGHT HAS CAME ON AGAIN....THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE REPAIR SHOP AND MAZDA WHICH HAVE BOTH TOLD ME THE WARRANTY IS 12 MONTHS/12,000 MILES. REALLY? FOR A $1000 PUMP AND RISKING MY LIFE? NOT ONLY ONCE BUT TWICE? ONCE THIS VEHICLES POWER STEERING IS DISABLED IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER. I REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR SO IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL SOMEONE CAN MAKE MAZDA REIMBURSE AND PAY FOR THEIR JUNK.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 29, 2019
THE DASHBOARD APPEARS MELTED AND STICKY AND IS EFFECTING VISIBILITY MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE
Engine, Sep 19, 2019
THE TCM WENT OUT AND ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND ALMOST CAUSED MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO WRECK'. DID THIS NOT HAVE A RECALL?
Structure, Sep 3, 2019
THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MELTED INTO THE CONSISTENCY OF LIQUID TAR.IT IS STICKY AND VERY SHINNING CAUSING BLINDING GLARE. I TOOK IT TO THE LODI MAZDA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED 1 MONTH AGO AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THIS FOR FREE. I CALLED THE COOPERATE OFFICE WHO SAID THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT HEAT RESISTANT. HOW IRONIC THAT THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR 1 MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ME 1200 DOLLARS TO REPAIR.SINCE THIS WAS THERE FAULT FOR INSTALLING A NOT HEAT RESISTANT DASH THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT AT ANYTIME FOR FREE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW WITH THE GLARE THE MELTED DASH CAUSES.
Electrical system, Seats, Aug 21, 2019
I'VE SCHEDULED THE RECALL REPAIRS THREE TIMES ,WITH THREE DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS, SINCE JUNE 2018, WHEN MY HATCHBACK SMASHED AGAINST MY HEAD (PICTURES ATTACHED). EACH TIME A DAY OR TWO BEFORE THE SCHEDULED RECALL REPAIRS EACH DEALERSHIP HAD CALLED AND CANCELED THE RECALL REPAIRS WITH NO AVAILABILITY ON A RESCHEDULE DATE AVAILABLE. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS TODAY AUGUST 21,2019 , THERE IS NO DATES AVAILABLE AT ANY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 100 MILES OF MY LOCATION FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR FROM NOW. SO IN MY OPINION THIS IS MAZDA COMPLETELY FAILING TO COMPLETE A TIMELY REPAIR ON MAZDA RECALLS. *TT *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 17, 2019
FOR THESE INCIDENTS THERE WAS FRIENDS WHO WAS IN MY VEHICLE DURING AND EVEN WITNESS THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. ON THE WAY TO WORK I TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT ON THE SPORT MODE LIKE I USUALLY DO. BUT IT CONTINUED TO STAY IN 5, THEN ALL OF SUDDEN IT JUMPED TO 3 AS I SLOW DOWN A BIT THEN ALL OF SUDDEN TO 1 WHICH MADE THE CAR JERK A BIT BOTH TIMES DUE TO GEAR DROP AND CAUSE THE CAR TO REV AT A HIGHER RPM. WHICH ALMOST COST AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN SO I HAD TO SWITCH TO NORMAL DRIVE MODE( D) ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AFTER MAKING A QUICK LEFT OR RIGHT TURN BUT THIS HAPPEN ONLY A FEW TIME, THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF WAS TO PARK SOMEWHERE SAFE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO REMOVE THE LIGHTS. NOW IT'S SUMMER TIME AN THIRD PROBLEM HAS APPEAR, FOR SOME RANDOM REASON AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS GOING CRAZY AND BLOWING HOT AIR INSTEAD OF COLD AIR IN THE CRAZY TEXAS SUMMER HEAT, WHAT'S EVEN MORE CRAZY IS DRIVER SIDE BLOW EXTREMELY HOT AIR AND PASSENGER SIDE BLOW HOT AIR BUT AT A LOWER DEGREES. SOMETIME EVEN SMELLING A SMOKY BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. I FIND IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR A CAR TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE SHIFTING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO LAG IN SHIFTING GEAR PROPERLY WHICH CAUSE TO JERK IN MOVING TRAFFIC WHICH CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT. TO ADD EVEN ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL MIGHT HAVE ISSUES WHICH SCARES ME EVEN MORE. NOW EVEN HOT AIR WITH MAYBE A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN CHECK PROPERLY BUT THESE DRIVING WITH THESE UNSAFE ISSUES CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND EVEN WORST DEATH IF NOT CHECK PROPERLY. MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE IN A CAR IS IT'S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND STOP PROPERLY, WITHOUT THOSE, IT BECOMES A DANGEROUS OBJECT ON THE ROAD.
Seats, Aug 15, 2019
MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS A BROKEN DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN 2017, BUT THE MAZDA SHOP CLAIMS MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR.
Structure, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
MY MAZDA 3 2010 HAS ABOUT 3 RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DO THE RECALLS SINCE LAST YEAR, BUT DUE TO MY SCHEDULE, I CANNOT MAKE IT DURING THE WEEKDAYS. NOW THIS MONTH, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RECALL LETTERS, I FOUND OUT I SHOULD DO THE RECALLS VERY SOON, BUT I HAD HARD TIME TO GET DAY OFF DURING THE WEEKDAYS, SO I WAS ASKING THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE ME FOR WEEKENDS. BUT THEY REFUSED. I KNOW THIS IS A FREE SERVICE, BUT HOW CAN THEY ONLY GIVE US SCHEDULE FOR WEEKDAYS AND REFUSE TO DO THE WORK FOR WEEKENDS. THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY. I DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR OFTEN, BUT I STILL WANT THIS TO BE DONE. I THINK IT IS WRONG THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE RECALLS SERVICE. I DON'T THINK THEY WILL REFUSE THE SERVICE THAT PAY THEM MONEY. VERY BAD EXPERIENCE! I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MONITOR THIS. BECAUSE THEY REFUSING THE WEEKENDS SERVICE, A LOT PEOPLE MAY HOLD OFF THEIR RECALLS JUST LIKE ME, WHICH MAY CAUSE PROBLEM FOR THE ROAD SAFETY. THE NAME OF THE DEALERSHIP IS: MARTIN MAZDA ADDRESS: 289 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711 PHONE:(302) 738-5200
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 2, 2019
ABS AND DSC HAS BEEN DISABLED DUE TO A FAULTY ABS MODULE AND THE DEALER DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR COST IS RIDICULOUSLY HIGH AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED PER THE AMOUNT OF INTERNET TRAFFIC ALONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS NOT A NICE TO HAVE FEATURE THIS IS A MUST HAVE AS IT COULD SAFE A LIFE. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS WHEN THE WHOLE SYSTEM FAILS. I WAS TOLD I COULD DRIVE WITHOUT IT EVEN THOU TOTAL BREAK FAILURE COULD OCCUR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 20, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS START BLINKING AND CAR STOPS ACCELERATING, TURNS ON BY WON'T MOVE. MECHANIC SAYS ENGINE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH TRANSMISSION. ELECTRICAL ISSUE SEEMS LIKE. WHEN IT RESTS IT WILL WORK BUT THEN AFTER DRIVING IT HAPPENS AGAIN. IT JUST STOPS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, DANGEROUS.