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.
Steering, Jul 6, 2018
WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AROUND 35MPH THEN VERY SUDDENLY IN A TURN POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THEN SHORTLY AFTER STEERING CAME BACK ON. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 1, 2018
ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ARE ON. IT IS ON SINCE MARCH.2018 THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOTICE THIS PROBLEM, I WAS GOING TO WORK AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN DISAPEARED AND AFTER A FEW DAYS LIKE THAT JUST STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE FL, AND THEY FOUND THREE DIFFERENT FAULTY CODES ; ONE FOR THE ABS CONTROL MOTOR C0020 ONE FOR THE DCS SWITCH C110964-64-60 AND ONE FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE U0415 92-48. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1100 INCLUDING LABOR. I THINK THIS IS RIDICULOUSLY HIGH! I HAVE PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2016 JANUARY FOR $7900! WHY DONT THEY COVER THE FAULTY ABS PUMP OR PARTS IF THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY MAZDA IN THIS MODELS ACCORDING TO THIS WEBSITE : HTTP://WWW.TIREBUSINESS.COM/ARTICLE/20161220/SERVICEZONE/161229997/NEW-HYDRAULIC-UNIT-SOLVES-MAZDA-3-ABS-TRROUBLE-CODES
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2018
PUSH BUTTON START MALFUNCTION, CAUSING INSTRUMENT PANEL TO LIGHT UP AND BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. CAR OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT POINT. SHIFTING INTO REVERSE LOUDER THAN NORMAL AND VERY NOTICEABLE JERK. SAME RESULT WHEN SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE. DID NOT ATTEMPT ANY MOVEMENT. SHUT OFF ENGINE. WAITED SEVERAL SECONDS, ATTEMPTED RESTART, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS LIT UP WITH A RED KEY INDICATOR LIGHT. TOWED TO DEALER. COULD NOT DIAGNOSE FAILURE. RESET SYSTEM, RAN FULL DIAGNOSTIC, NO FAILURE CODES REPORTED. DROVE FINE FOR 2 DAYS, ON 3RD DAY, PROBLEM REPEATED ITSELF, CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE DEALER WAITING ON REPAIR/DIAGNOSIS. CAR WAS PARKED IN HOME GARAGE SOUTHERN AZ ON BOTH OCCASIONS.
Structure, Apr 25, 2018
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY, A LOUD NOISE SOUNDING LIKE A GUNSHOT CAME FROM INSIDE OF MY CAR AND CAUGHT ME OF GUARDING CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS I REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, I SAW PIECES OF UNKNOWN DEBRIS SLIDE DOWN THE BACK OF MY REAR WINDOW. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME. I CONTINUED HOME SINCE IT WAS ABOUT ANOTHER 2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I INSPECTED THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED OUTWARD AND HAD SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. THE PIECES OF DEBRIS I SAW WAS IN FACT PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS. AT FIRST I THOUGH THAT SOMETHING WENT THROUGH THE GLASS BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF AN OBJECT SUCH AS A ROCK THAT PENETRATED THE GLASS. ALSO THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED OUTWARDS INDICATING THAT IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS HAPPEN ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY WITH TEMPS AROUND 84 DEGREE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH ALONG A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF RURAL ROAD. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THERE WERE NO CARS WITHIN 200+ YARDS OF MINE.
Structure, Apr 18, 2018
OVER TIME, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO DEVELOP DEEP CRACKS. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THESE CRACKS ARE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. IT IS VERY CONCERNING, AS IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARD. THESE CRACKS HAVE BECOME WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND CONSISTENTLY SPREAD.
Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 15, 2018, crash
TAKATA INFLATORS. HIGHWAY TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A STOP AND WHILE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP MY BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED WITH THE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE CAR BARELY SLOWED DOWN AND REAR ENDED THE STILL CAR IN FRONT AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. EVEN WITH SUCH A FORCEFUL IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUT.
Service brakes, Apr 13, 2018
THE ABS MODULE FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE ABS, TRACTION AND MAIN RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THESE INDICATIONS. THERE IS A MAZDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM FOR HOT HUMID CLIMATES (I LIVE IN MERRITT ISLAND, FL). THE TSB IS QUOTED BELOW. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL VERSUS A TSB. PLEASE HELP! 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
Wheels, Apr 9, 2018
WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THE BYPASS WHEN THE VALVE STEM AND TPMS SENSOR BROKE OFF AND IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED THE TIRE SHAKING THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY AND ALMOST CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. HAVE BROUGHT THIS COMPLAINT TO MAZDA IN THE PAST AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW THAT IT IS CAUSED BY USING DISSIMILAR METALS ON THE TPMS SENSOR CAUSING EROSION TO THE STEM AND ULTIMATELY THE STEM BREAKING OFF. THIS TPMS SENSOR WAS ALREADY REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIRE CHANGE INTERVAL AND STILL FAILED LONG BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DUE FOR ANOTHER SET OF TIRES. MAZDA KNOWS THESE ARE DEFECTIVE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'D RATHER NOT HAVE TPMS AND NOT KNOW WHAT MY TIRE PRESSURES ARE THAN TO HAVE THAT SYSTEM ENDANGER MYSELF OR MY FAMILY ANY MORE. IT IS CURRENTLY MORE DANGEROUS TO USE THESE DEFECTIVE FAULTY TPMS SENSORS THAN IT IS TO NOT HAVE THEM. THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING...
Seats, Mar 27, 2018
MAZDA RECALL I KEEP RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FROM BROOKDALE MAZDA ABOUT THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LIFTER LINK. I HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST 4-6 OF THEM IN THE MAIL. WHEN I CALL OR USE A CHAT LINE I AM TOLD THAT THE SERVICE DEPT. WILL CALL ME BACK. YEA, RIGHT. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL, E-MAIL OR MAILER (OTHER THAN THE ONES TELLING ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL) WHERE DO I TURN TO NOW? MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE!
Seats, Mar 27, 2018
THE SEAT ADJUSTER ON MY 2010 SGT MAZDA3 BROKE ONE DAY AS I WAS GETTING IN, AND NOW THE SEAT MOVES EVERY TIME I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY SPECIFIC VIN ISN'T CAPTURED, THEY WANTED $1000 (AFTER DISCOUNT FROM CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE) TO FIX IT. I FEEL THAT GIVEN THE DEALER TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VIN AND THOSE SIMILAR.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2018, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND HIT HEAD ON BY A CAR THAT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS HIT BY THE OTHER CAR MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE FRONT END OF MY CAR, FLIPPING IT INTO THE DITCH NOSE FIRST. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE HERE WRITING THIS BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS IN THE CAR DID NOT DEPLOY AND THEY MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE. OWNERS RELY ON THEIR CAR'S AIR BAG TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND A HIP ISSUE THAT HAS YET TO BE DIAGNOSED. PLEASE FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE PAYS DEARLY FOR THIS WITH THEIR LIFE. I WAS FORTUNATE.
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2018, fire
THE 12V POWER CHARGING PORT STARTED ON FIRE. IT WAS SPEAKING FLAMES WHEN CHARGER WAS PLUGGED IN TO CHARGING PORT. IT STARTED DOING THIS WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 24, 2018
MAZDA 3 ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR 2 YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND IN 1-2 DAYS LIGHT IS BACK ON. RECENTLY CAR SEEMS TO HIC CUP ON SHIFTING AND ON BRAKING THE BACK END OF CAR SEEMS TO RUN INTO THE FRONT END. IN LAST 2 WKS AN AT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR ALMOST WOULDN'T SHIFT IN GEAR. I HAVE A VERIZON HOM AND GOT S MESSAGE INDICATING 'SOLENOID STUCK ON E'. WHEN I CALLED FIRESTONE THEY STATED THOSE MAZDA 3 HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND THAT I NEED TO TAKE CAR TO MAZDA. IN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND MY ISSUE I GOOGLED PROBLEM THAT SHOWED THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL RECALL THAT MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO STOP OR PROBLEMS SHIFTING.
Tires, Feb 21, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH NEARLY LOSING CONTROL MY MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND EXAMINE MY TIRE, AND SAW THAT MY VALVE STEM WAS COMPLETELY MISSING FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, IT APPEARS THAT THE WHEEL THREADS SHOWS SIGNS OF CORROSION WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE TPMS MONITOR AND VALVE STEM BREAKING OFF.
Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2018
EXPLODING SUNROOF. THE GLASS IN MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. A LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY GLASS SHOWERING OCCUPANTS, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. UPON REVIEW, THE GLASS APPEARED TO BLOWN UP AND OUTWARD FROM THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 30, 2018
AFTER TURNING ON THE CAR AND SHIFTING IT INTO DRIVE, THE CAR ACCELERATED AT ABOUT 20 MPH WITHOUT A FOOT ON THE GAS.
Seats, Jan 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PORTION OF THE POWER SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE TRACKS. COCHRAN MAZDA OF NORTH HILLS (10855 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE POWER SEAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,300.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 27, 2017
BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WENT SOFT(HAD TO PUMP)BRAKE PEDAL FOR TEMPORARY(NORMAL) PEDAL TRAVEL(FEEL). MAZDA GARAGE STATED HYDRAULIC ABS UNIT BAD. ALSO NO WANING LIGHTS LIT ON DASHBOARD. MECHANIC STATED YAW CODE WAS THROWN IN CODE READER. STATED OLD CODE. I REPLACED THE ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. NOW THERE IS A DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ABS WAS WORKING THE NIGHT BEFORE (SNOW ON THE GROUND) AND NO STEADY LIGHT LIT. JUST FLASH WHEN IT ACTIVATED. ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACED 12-27-2017
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 19, 2017
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IS NOT WORKING RIGHT THE LIGHTS ON THE IN SIDE OF THE CAR COME ON WHEN YOU GET UP TO 75 TO 80 MPH THEY START FLASHING.THE AIR BAG LIGHT LIGHT COME ON THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK UP A LOT OF TIME WERE I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 13, 2017
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASION THAT WERE SEVERAL MONTHS APART FROM ONE ANOTHER, MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I DID NOT TOUCH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN ANY WAY. THERE WERE NO BUMPS OR DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND I HAD TO HURRY TO GET IT START AGAIN. BOTH INCIDENTS I WAS ACTIVELY DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I WAS ON A 45 MPH ROAD THE FIRST TIME AND A 35 MPH ROAD THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE ISSUE BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. THE LAST TIME THAT IT OCCURRED, I WAS JUST COMPLETING A TURN.
Service brakes, Dec 4, 2017
MY CAR HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN I WOULD BRAKE, SO I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED. WHEN THEY REMOVED THE ROTORS, THE ROTOR HUBS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE ROTORS.
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2017
2010 MAZDA3S GRAND TOURING, CONDENSATION ACCUMULATED IN HEAD LAMP RESULTING IN HEAD LAMP BULB FAILURE. THE COST TO REPLACE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY IS $2500.00 $250.00 JUST FOR THE BULB. THOUSANDS OF NOTED ON LINE COMPLAINTS WITH PHOTOS WITH NO DAMAGE TO ASSEMBLY BUT THE SEALANT HAS FAILED. MAZDA DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA3.
Seats, Oct 26, 2017
DRIVER'S SEAT LIFTER ADJUSTMENTS BROKEN (RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN SENT BUT WHEN I WENT TO DEALER IN MID-FEBRUARY 2017 WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART, AND WOULD CALL ME BACK WHEN IT ARRIVED). AS OF TODAY, 10/26/17, I HAVE NOT BEEN CALLED TO TELL ME THE PART IS IN.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 21, 2017
I WAS DRIVING AND FELT THE CAR DOWN SHIFT ON THE HIGHWAY, AT LIGHT CAME ON AND SOME SORT OF TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. RPM WOULD GO CRAZY SOMETIMES WHILE THIS HAPPENED. WHEN I GOT HOME AND PUT IT ON PARK IT SHIFTED REALLY HARD TRIED TO PUT IT ON DRIVE AND SHIFTED HARD. AS WELL SO I LET IT BE. I HEARD ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER MAZDAS AS WELL PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SUPPOSEDLY ITS A ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE.
Seats, Oct 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MUNDAY MAZDA, 555 FM 1960 W, HOUSTON, TX 77090) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.