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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 3, 2017
THE DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING PROBLEM SEEING. I RECEIVED A LETTER A WHILE BACK STATING THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE DASH BOARDS BECOMING STICKY OR MELTING MINE HAS JUST STARTED DOING THIS AND ITS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ON REALLY SUNNY DAYS FROM THE GLARE THAT IT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I CALLED MAZDA ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WAS GONNA DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN NOT FIX IT WHEN ITS CAUSE OF THE DASHBOARD THEY PUT IN THE CARS. THIS IS NOT ONLY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT ALSO COULD RISK PEOPLE LIVES. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPEN AND ONLY GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON I DONT HAVE A CERTAIN DATE SO I JUST PICKED ONE BELOW
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2017
THE CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY AT ~45K MILES. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY EARLY FOR IT TO HAVE FAILED.
Seats, Sep 18, 2017
MY DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AS IF A LINK OR SCREW IS MISSING. I TOOK IT TO KEFFER MAZDA IN HUNTERSVILLE, NC FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT ALONG WITH MY STICKY DASH BOARD OVER TWO MONTHS AGO. THEY REPLACED MY DASH BUT STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART FOR MY SEAT. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH ME ABOUT THE SEAT. I HAVE CALLED THREE TIMES SINCE AND THEY APPEAR TO BE IGNORING ME. THIS ROCKING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OF LESS. SOMETHING JUST POPPED ONE DAY AND THE ROCKING HAPPENED.
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2017
BACK IN OCT OF 2015 MY ABS AND DSC LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AN GO OFF FOR NO REASON. AS OF DECEMBER 2016 THE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED ON. I REPLACED THE SPEED SENSORS IN EACH WHEEL, CHECKED THE TONE RINGS, TESTED THE WIRING FOR BREAKS, TESTED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO CHECK OTHER THAN THE ABS SYSTEMS. I RECENTLY HAD MY CLUTCH REPLACED ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 S BY MAZDA, WHILE PERFORMING THE WORK I ASKED IF THE TECHNICIAN COULD TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS PUMP WAS BAD, WAS NOT TOLD IF IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE OR THE HYD PUMP MOTOR OR VALVE BODY. BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS, I AM ASSUMING THAT THE CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. I FOUND THAT THERE ARE TSB'S ON THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY COMPLAINTS BY OTHER 2010 MAZDA 3 OWNERS. NHTSA ID: 10053757 TSB ID: SB-04-002-13 NHTSA ID: 10097406 TSB ID: 04-002-13-2812 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET MAZDA TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE?
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2017
LOUD NOISE IN BACK SUSPENSION. NOISE OCCURS RUNNING HIGHWAY BUT GETS LOUDER ON A CITY STREET UNKNOWN CAUSE. WHEN TURNING VEHICLE STARTED CLICKS BUT NEED TO KEEP TRYING TO TURN ON. PROBABLY COMPUTER PROBLEM
Air bags, Sep 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, I GOT A POSTCARD IN THE MAIL STATING THAT MY CAR MAY HAVE HAD AN AIRBAG SETTLEMENT. NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED, I AM LETTING YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. THANKS
Seats, Sep 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (ANTELOPE VALLEY MAZDA, 1015 SUTO MALL DRIVE, LANCASTER, CA 93534) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seats, Sep 5, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RATTLING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A LOCAL UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT NEAR THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN BLINKING FOR TWO MONTHS NOW. THE MAZDA DEALER MECHANICS CHECKED THE WIRING AND SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO DO THAT. ITS STARTS BLINKING AS SOON AS I TURN MY CAR ON. THE OTHER AIRBAG LIGHT NEAR THE DASHBOARD WITH THE CLOCK DISPLAY IS STILL ON AS USUAL, NOT BLINKING.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017
I HAVE A CRACK LIKE A Y LONG PASSENGER-SIDE DASHBOARD ANDMY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHTS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF ON DIFFERENT TIMES
Seats, Aug 22, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, I HEAR SOME NOISES FROM THE SEAT.
Air bags, Structure, Aug 22, 2017, crash
GOT INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER AT 50 MPH AND AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. THE BODY OF THE CAR ALSO CAME APART SO QUICKLY I ENDED UP TOTALING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE.
Seats, Aug 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PARETTI MAZDA LOCATED AT 4000 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD METAIRIE, LA 70002) WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Aug 17, 2017
AIRBAG NOTICE FLASHES ON CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY DIVICE THAT SHOULD BE MAZDA COMPANY TO MAKE SURE THE DRIVING MEETS SAFETY GUIDELINES. THE HANDBOOK TEARS THAT IF LIGHT COMES ON IT IS AN INDICATION THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT. I SPOKE WITH MAZDA CORPORATION THAT INFORMED ME THAT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE DEATH OR INJURY FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN. I INFORMED THEM IF THIS HAPPENS THERE WILL BE A LAW SUIT. CAN YOU HELP.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2017
AT LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. CAR HAS SHIFT ISSUE. IT CAN'T GO HIGHER SPEED EVEN I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL. IT HAS CLUTCH SOUND EVERY TIME I SHIFT THE GEAR STICK. MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAPPENS RIGHT AFTER I START THE CAR. AND THE ISSUE CONTINES ALL THE TIME.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2017
THE CAR WOULDNT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF WATER IN HEADLIGHT. DRIED IT OUT. PASSED. GOT WET AGAIN. REPLACED THE LIGHT TWICE AND STILL DOING IT. OTHER LIGHT IS NOW DOING IT.
Structure, Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA OF KNOXVILLE LOCATED AT 8814 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE TN 37923) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Seat belts, Aug 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE INSPECTED AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OK, SOMETIMES THE BELT GETS STUCK
Seats, Aug 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT 951-643-5151 AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2017
TAKATA RECALL; I HAVE REQUESTED THIS RECALL BE HONORED AND WAS JUST TOLD BY THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE RECALL CONCERN. WHAT CAN I DO IF ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?
Wheels, Aug 7, 2017
TPMS/VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY FAILED SUDDENLY CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOST OF AIR IN THE TIRE ON 2-LANE MARKED HIGHWAY(POSTED SPEED LIMIT 55MPH)
Service brakes, Aug 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. PEARSON MAZDA OF HENRICO, VA 23294 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY AND COULD CAUSE A FUTURE LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
I TOOK MY 2010 MAZDA3 IN FOR RECALL OF SEAT LINK ADJUSTERS AND TO SERVICE MY MELTING DASHBOARD THAT CAUSES AN UNSAFE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING IN SUNNY CONDITIONS. THE DEALERSHIP VERIFIED THE RECALL AND SERVICE IN MAY 2017 AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WILL NEED TO BE ORDERED. WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK IN A WEEK OR TWO. AFTER SEVERAL REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT CALLING AND EMAILING THE DEALERSHIP, I CANNOT REACH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF ORDERED PARTS. THE TIME FRAME FOR THE REPAIR FROM THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT MOVES WHILE I SHIFT, AND THE HORRENDOUS GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD, IS TO SLOW FOR RESOLUTION. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS SINCE HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED AT ROSENTHAL MAZDA/GAITHERSBURG MAZDA AT 625 NORTH FREDERICK AVENUE IN GAITHERSBURG, MD 20879. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE OF COMMUNICATIONS INFORMING ME OF THE STATUS OF GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED OR MY RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER.
Seats, Jul 31, 2017
RECALL PART FOR SEAT LIFTER LINK HAS FAILED. THE DRIVER SEAT SLANTS IN THE FORWARD LEFT DIRECTION AND ROCKS/SHIFTS EXCESSIVELY DURING SHIFTING. OVER 75 DAYS HAVE PASSED SINCE MY VEHICLE RECALL PART WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE STATED THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS, I CONTACTED THE CORPORATE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT FOR MAZDA. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE FAILED PART.
Seats, Jul 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. 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 (FAIRWAY MAZDA OF SAVANNAH (LOCATED AT 10101 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406; (855) 227-8634) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THERE WAS NO ANSWER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 949-727-1990 AND PLACED THE CONTACT ON HOLD FOR 20 MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.