Safety ratings
2004 Mazda3 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (3)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVECampaign 04V468000 · 24/09/2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
Risk: IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
- EQUIPMENTCampaign 09E011000 · 02/04/2009
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 21V494000 · 01/07/2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Risk: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING29
- AIR BAGS28
- POWER TRAIN27
- SERVICE BRAKES26
- HYDRAULIC25
- STEERING20
- TIRES10
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/29/2008· POWER TRAIN
THERE WERE NO MAJOR EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, JUST NORMAL COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. THE FAILURE WAS MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, WHICH FAILED COMPLETELY, 1 OCCURRENCE WHICH HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY WINDOW. NO IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECT BUT LONG TERM RAMIFICATIONS DUE TO STRESSES PLACED ON OTHER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS STILL UNKNOWN. MOTOR MOUNT PURCHASED AND REPLACED BY MYSELF. OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
- 12/28/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE REAR BRAKES ON OUR 2004 MAZDA3 ARE WORN TO THE ROTORS FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 77,000 MILES. WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE REAR BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING, SO WE INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE ASSURED THAT THIS IS NORMAL, IT SHOULD GO AWAY IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. IT NEVER WENT AWAY. I NOW NEED A THIRD SET OF REAR BRAKES, AND THE FRONTS ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE. IN ALL MY YEARS OF WORKING AROUND VEHICLES, I'VE NEVER SEEN A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CAR THAT THE REAR BRAKES WORE FASTER THAN THE FRONT. IT'S NOW OBVIOUS TO ME AFTER DOING IN DEPTH INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE MAZDA3 AND MAZDA6. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL YET? IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOME GETTING INJURED OR EVEN KILLED DUE TO BRAKE MALFUNCTION BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED? IF ONE REAR BRAKE WEARS FASTER THAN THE OTHER, AND A DRIVER HAS TO MAKE A PANIC STOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ONE BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THE OTHER......YOU GET THE POINT. *TR
- 12/26/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAZDA RX8, I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE AND THEY ADVISED THEY DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICE DID A BATTERY INSPECTION, CHARGING AND TESTING; A DIAGNOSIS ON THE SPARK PLUG SET AND DRIVE CYCLE; AND CLEANED THE PLUG THREADS. JUST THIS MONTH, I PULLED TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING THEN DIED. HAD IT TOWED TO SERVICE. SERVICE SAID VEHICLE NEEDED NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM INSTALLED FROM MAZDA. HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR.*AK
- 12/23/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. SINCE 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,036. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,200.
- 12/22/2004· TIRES
MAZDA 3SP P205/50 ALL SEASON GOOD YEAR EAGLE RSA TIRES VERY POOR TIRE TRACTION ON WET & SNOW CONDITIONS TIRE TREADS SEEM TO WEAR OUT QUICKLY. *JB
- 12/21/2023· TIRESCrash
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda 3 equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Ventus S1 Noble2, Tire Size: 205/50/R17, DOT Number: N/A. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a loud explosion was heard. The contact's wife alerted him that the rear driver's side tire had blown out. The contact's vehicle was then rear-ended by another vehicle, causing his vehicle to turn 360 degrees. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured, but his wife suffered from neck pain. Medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace and was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. A body shop repaired the vehicle. The tire manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to send in the faulty tire. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was 150,000.
- 12/19/2012· AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONSOLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V468000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- 12/15/2017· STEERING
THE LOCK RELEASE LEVER ON THE STEERING WHEEL GET LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT LOCKED IN PLACE. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO GET THIS REPAIR.
- 12/13/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE NOTIFY BY THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE REAR BRAKE PAD IS NOT GOOD FIT WITH THE BRAKE SOCKET, IT HAVE A LOOSE SPACE, AND IT CREATED SOME NOISE I CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING. *TR
- 12/09/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2004 MAZDA, MODEL MAZDA3 PASSENGER CAR, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, 16,000 MILES. THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUALLY SHOW LOTS OF BRAKE DUST WHILE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE ALWAYS CLEAN. THIS INDICATES MOST BRAKING IS DONE BY REAR WHEELS CONTRARY TO EXPECTATIONS. DEALER IGNORES MY COMPLAINTS. *NM
- 12/08/2004· AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENTCrash
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND WHILE ADJUSTING THE RADIO VEHICLE WENT DOWN A 6 FOOT EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK *TC
- 12/03/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY MAZDA3 IS 4 MONTHS OLD AND I HAVE BEEN TOWED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. BOTH TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FIRST, THEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN I LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND COULD ONLY GO A FEW MILES AN HOUR TO PULL OVER. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WITHIN 2 MILES OF THE DEALERSHIP AFTER I HAD PICKED IT UP FROM "GETTING FIXED"--THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS "LOW ON GAS" (UNDER 1/4 TANK). PRIOR TO THIS I WAS HAVING HESITATIONS AT 30 MILES AN HOUR--MOST NOTICABLE WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD. THE DEALER COULD NEVER NOTICE THE PROBLEM DESPITE MY BRINGING IT FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES. ? IF THE PROBLEMS ARE ALL RELATED OR NOT.*AK
- 12/03/2004· AIR BAGSCrash
THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH TREES. BACK AND SIDE DOORS WERE DENTED INTO THE CAR AND WINDOWS SHATTERED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TC *SC
- 11/28/2012· STEERING
WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, SOMETIMES LOSING POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON FOR WHEN IT WILL COME BACK ON OR WHY THE STEERING GOES OUT OR NOT. TWO MECHANICS I'VE TAKEN IT TO CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND ONE THINKS IT COULD BE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR
- 11/23/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS FILLING MY GAS TANK UP AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND.DROPED CAR OFF FOR REPAIR. GARAGE DID SMOKE TEST OF FUEL TANK AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE PLASTIC RING ON FUEL PUMP WAS CRACKED, THE GARAGE HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE PLASTIC RING AND SEAL. MY WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS REPAIR AND IT COST ME OUT OF POCKET $399.96 MY REQUEST IS THIS COVERED UNDER ANY REGULATIONS OR RECALLS ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE? *TR
- 11/18/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH EVAP LEAK CODE. SMALL LEAK AT FIRST THEN INCLUDED LARGE LEAK CODE LATER. ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE STRONG GAS SMELL OUTSIDE VEHICLE AFTER FUELING. TURNED OUT THE FUEL PUMP RING THAT HOLDS DOWN AND SEALS FUEL PUMP TO FUEL TANK HAD CRACKED. OVER TIME THE SPLIT BECAME LARGER. WHEN TANK WAS FILLED, RAW FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT AROUND PUMP ON TOP OF TANK. WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE RIGHT UNDER THE REAR SEAT WHERE ME KIDS SIT. REPLACEMENT WAS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE RING COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. IT REQUIRED DROPPING THE TANK TO REPAIR. MECHANIC FELT IT WAS A STRESS CRACK. THE FUEL PUMP HAD NEVER BEEN WORKED ON BEFORE. THE ORIGINAL RING WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY.
- 11/16/2010· STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR
- 11/08/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER JUNCTION BOX (FUSE BOX). TAPPING THE BOX WITH A SCREWDRIVER HANDLE WILL BRING THE TAIL LIGHTS BACK ON FOR A WHILE. THIS HAS BEEN A MAZDA 3 ISSUE OVER THE YEARS. THE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS.
- 11/05/2004· AIR BAGSCrash
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
- 11/04/2015· AIR BAGSCrash
WAS IN ACCIDENT HIT DITCH AND TREE HEAD ON AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY TO FACE FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL. WAS ON CITY STREET AND IN MOTION.
- 11/02/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2004 NEW MAZDA 3 , I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF ROTTEN EGG SMELL THAT IS COMING INTO THE VECHICLE. THIS BAD SMELL IS SICKENING. HOW CAN YOU HELP ? I HAVE CALLED SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. *AK
- 11/01/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire
I OWN A 2004 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK THAT I PURCHASED NEW. THE CAR HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED FAITHFULLY BY MAZDA TECHNICIANS. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. TO REITERATE, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. HAD MY WIFE NOT NOTICED, AND HAD WE PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, IT WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE WITH US IN IT. WE MANAGED TO PUT THE CAR OUT AND TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FROZE AND THE BELT CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE FRICTION; THIS THEN IGNITED PLASTIC SPLASH GUARDS UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALL TOTAL - $1500 IN DAMAGE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE COMPRESSOR SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED A FIRE, AND IN FACT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND ASKED THEM TO RECOMPENSE THE DAMAGE FROM THE FAILED COMPRESSOR AND THE FIRE, AND THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST ME (OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS' SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IS A PROBLEM), OR COMPENSATE ME. I AM LESS CONCERNED ABOUT COMPENSATION THAN I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS ON THE ROADS, BEING DRIVEN BY FAMILIES, WAITING TO CATCH FIRE AND BURN. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ADDRESSED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS OR EVEN WARNINGS FROM MAZDA THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. PLEASE, I AM ASKING THAT THE NHTSA ASSIST IN DOING SOMETHING BEFORE THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL MANUFACTURER DEFECT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- 10/29/2017· AIR BAGS
I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE PREGNANT AND DRIVING MY 2004 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED BUT I WAS ON MY WAY TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE AN ULTRASOUND TO ENSURE MY CHILD WAS SAFE. NO INSURANCE CLAIM WAS FILED BUT I WAS CONCERNED. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN.
- 10/29/2013· ENGINE
THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE FAILED AND THE CAR'S ENGINE LURCHES APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES IN EACH DIRECTION AND VIBRATES WHILE IDLING. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATES THEY HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE ENGINE MOUNTS FAIL ON THIS MODEL DUE TO POOR/FLIMSY DESIGN. *TR
- 10/28/2021· AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V468000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
- 10/28/2013· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- 10/28/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON OCTOBER 2004 I BOUGHT A NEW 2004 MAZDA 3 . AFTER THE 1ST WEEK I NOTICED A ROTTEN EGG SMELL . THE DEALER DENIES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT. THIS SMELL IS SICKENING. HOW CAN YOU HELP.*JB
- 10/25/2004· POWER TRAIN
1. CLUTCH REALLY HARD WHEN PUSHED. (SAT IN OTHER MAZDA 3'S AND CLUTCH WAS EXTREMLY SOFT) *DEALER INSISTED THAT I BURNED IT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800 FOR LABOR. WENT TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS BURNED. GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN.*AK 2. NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. MAKES SCRAPING NOISE! GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 3.WHEN ACCELERATING ON A TURN, THE FRONT OF THE CAR MAKES A BOOM BOOOM BOOM BOOM NOISE, REALLY LOUD. WENT TO A COUPLE OF FRIENDS WORKING IN SHOPS AND SAID IT'S MY STRUTS. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 4. HAD TO CHANGE TWO FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS. 5. 3RD GEAR MAKING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE INTO IT. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 6.BACK BRAKE ROTORS GIVING A LOT OF DUST THEN THE FRONT ROTORS. NOT SUPPOSE TO BE LIKE THAT!GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 7.EXHAUST LOOSE, WHEN STEPPING ON GAS IT JAGS BACK AND FORTH. GOIN TO COMPLAIN IN OTHER WORDS NOT SATISFIED WITH CAR, ESPEASIALLY SINCE IT'S BRAND NEW.. MY CAR JUST REACHED 17000 MILES, BUT ALL THE PROBLEMS HAPPENED EARLIER
- 10/18/2007· SUSPENSION
CAR VIBRATES IN THE FRONT AT ALL SPEEDS. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (D DAHLE MAZDA OF SALT LAKE CITY) THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. FIRST THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED AND THEN THE ENGINE MOUNTS. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED ON MY LAST VISIT THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT. HOWEVER, WHEN I HAD THE WHEELS EXAMINED BY AN ALTERNATIVE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP, NO PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL WAS NOTED. I ALSO ROTATED THE WHEEL IN QUESTION TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VIBRATION OCCURRED IN THE SAME SPOT. *TR
- 10/14/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, AT A LOW SPEED, CHANGING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD, THE CAR STALLED. UPON TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. AFTER THE CAR WAS PUSHED OFF OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL LEFT BEHIND. REALIZING THAT THE CAR WASN'T GOING TO RESTART, IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER BEING PUT UP ON THE LIFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ROD SLAMMED INTO THE ENGINE BLOCKING, SEIZING THE ENGINE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO REASON FOR THE ROD TO CRACK ON A WELL MAINTAINED ENGINE, ON A 2004 VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO GET THIS CAR BACK ON THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. I DON'T SEE ANY RECALLS ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND I TRULY FEEL THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING COMPROMISED WITH THE VEHICLE, IN ORDER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE OIL WAS CHANGED JUST 5K MILES BEFORE. THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON... WE ARE VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS NEWS AND ARE HOPING MAZDA HAS EXPERIENCED OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS ONE. *JB
- 10/06/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN THREE TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
- 10/06/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash
CAR STALLS AT LIGHTS DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATING HAVE GONE TO BACK UP AND NO RESPONSE THEN CAR WILL JUST TAKE OFF HAVE HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO NO ACCELERATION FOG AND BUGS IN TAILLIGHTS AIRBAG LIGHT ON/OFF FOR NO REASON CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR ALL RECALLS I AM TOLD I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR FAST ENOUGH AND AM TOLD I NEED TO CHECK MY OIL WHEN I GET GAS. TOO MANY PROBLEMS TO LIST DEALER WILL FIX BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCE HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER ONLY TO BE PUT ON HOLD TO LISTEN TO ZOOM ZOOM MUSIC OVER AND OVER. *JB
- 10/01/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
12,000 MILES REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY WORN. PASSENGER SIDE ROTOR DEEPLY GROOVED. HAVE MORE THAN 3/4 PAD LEFT. *NM
- 10/01/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR AND NOISE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY MAZDA3 I PLACED A CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM WAS CREATING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF NOISE AND BRAKE DUST FROM WEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT DURING THE FIRST WEEKS OF A NEW CAR THAT THIS WAS EXPECTED. THE GENTLEMAN REFERRED TO IT AS SEATING. HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY (NO BRAKES REQUIRED), THE PADS AND ROTORS ARE BOTH DEEPLY GROOVED AND WORN. MOST WEAR OCCURS ON THE REAR BRAKES. MOST ALL BRAKING IS DONE BY THE FRONT; THEREFORE, IF WEAR SHOULD OCCUR IT WOULD BE PRESENT IN THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM. DEALER REQUESTED PERMISSION TO TURN THE ROTORS, WHICH I DECLINED. TURNING THE ROTORS WOULD DO NOTHING MORE THAN QUITE THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW HUNDRED MILES, UNTIL THE GROOVES AND DUST WOULD REAPPEAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OVERTLY OBVIOUS; HOWEVER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. VEHICLE'S SAFETY IS COMPROMISED. *JB
- 10/01/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE VEHICLE, MAZDA 3 MANUAL, WAS RETURNED TO DEALER AFTER AIRBAG RECALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SUFFERED FROM MANY COMPLAINTS. SERVICE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT A LOOSE GROUND WIRE AT ONE OF THE FUSE PANELS WAS THE FAULT. VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RAN AS PROMISED FOR MONTHS UNTIL BOTH LOW-BEAM HEADLAMPS BLEW AT THE SAME TIME. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND ACTION WILL TAKE PLACE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAULTS IN THE VEHICLE AND ASSUME MANY MORE ARE TO COME. SAFETY WAS SEVERELY COMPROMISED. NO HEADLAMPS AT NIGHT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE IS VERY MUCH A PROBLEM. *JB
- 10/01/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE WILL NOT START OR IDLE FALLS VEHICLE, MAZDA3 MANUAL, WOULD NOT START IN DRIVEWAY ON COOL SPRING SUNDAY EVENING. TOWING SERVICE WAS DISPATCHED AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST MAZDA DEALERSHIP. AFTER SEVERAL DEALERS CALLS TO MAZDA'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, THE SERVICE PROFESSIONAL WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION KEY AND MICROCHIPS. AFTER FOUR DAYS I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALERS LOT THE IDLE BEGAN TO FALL ONCE AGAIN; HOWEVER, IT DID START THIS TIME. A FEW MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE IDLE BECAME SO HARD TO DEAL WITH THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SERVICE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN. SEVERAL MORE CALLS WERE PLACED TO THE HEADQUARTERS AND FINALLY THE DECISION WAS MADE TO REPLACE THE O2 SENSOR. THE CAR HAS STARTED AND RUN EVER SINCE THE REPAIR, BUT THE IDLE IS MUCH LOWER THAN IT WAS ON ORIGINAL RECEIPT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENGINE AT IDLE SPEEDS IS MUCH LOUDER AND SOUNDS LABORED. ONCE WINTER COMES I FEAR THE PROBLEM WILL REAPPEAR. THE FUTURE OF THE VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE IS UNKNOWN. POSSIBLE SAFETY COMPROMISE. *JB
- 09/29/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL THAT WAS OCCURRING ON BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF MY CAR EVERY TIME I FILLED MY CAR UP. I TOOK TO MY THE MECHANIC AND IT WAS FOUND MY FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING IN 2 SPOTS. ONE WAS PART OF THE GAS TANK THAT VENTS THE FUMES - THAT SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THE OTHER WAS PART OF THE LOCKING RING THAT IS ON THE GAS TANK ITSELF WAS CRACKED.
- 09/27/2005· POWER TRAIN
THE CAR IS A MAZDA 3 2004 WITH 18000 MILES. I BOUGHT MY WIFE THIS MAZDA 3 IN MAY OF 2005. WITH 16000 MILES. THE CAR WAS RUNNING GREAT AND IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. 3 DAYS AGO I STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SOUND IS LIKE A CLICKING SOUND THAT YOU MADE WHEN YOU PUT YOUR BASEBALL CARDS ON YOUR BICYCLE TIRE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
- 09/26/2013· POWER TRAIN
I HAVE CAR JM1BK12F64[XXXX], MAZDA 3, 2004, 2.0L. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE SHAFT OF MY CAR. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAR HAS RECALLS OR WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN DEALER OF PUERTO RICO BUT IT WAS AN IMPORT FROM THE USA. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- 09/23/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND PADS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR. ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO ACTIVATE PREMATURELY AT THE REAR WHEELS UNDER HEAVY BRAKING IN DRY CONDITIONS. REAR BRAKES WILL NEED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT AT 32K MILES WHILE THE FRONTS LOOK TO LAST 100K. DEALER SAYS WEAR IS NORMAL, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS SAY NOT. THIS MAY BE EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER BRAKE BALANCE BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES EITHER DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR AND PARTS FAILURE OR UNDER CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS. APPARENT PEMATURE ACTIVATION OF ABS SYSTEM DURING SUDDEN BRAKING STARTLED A YOUNG DRIVER OF THIS CAR WHO RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE MISTAKING ABS PULSATION FOR A BRAKE FAILURE AND STRUCK ANOTHER CAR AS A RESULT. *NM
- 09/22/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AT NIGHT, MY LOWER DASH (RADIO, HVAC) AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS LIGHTING WENT OUT FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, AND THEN CAME BACK ON. THIS STARTED HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY FROM THAT POINT ON, SHUTTING OFF AND COMING BACK ON RANDOMLY, WITH THE LIGHTS BEING OUT CONTINUOUSLY ONCE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN TRAFFIC. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT I JUST DISCOVERED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE ALSO GOING OUT AT THE SAME TIME. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE CAUSE IS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER JUNCTION BOX (PJB). THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND AN UNACCEPTABLE ENGINEERING FLAW WHICH APPEARS TO AFFECT OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE MODEL AS WELL. DUE TO PROHIBITIVE COST OF JSB REPLACEMENT AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE INTEGRITY OF THAT PART ITSELF, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO INSTALL A FAILSAFE INDEPENDENT WIRING SOLUTION FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ENSURE REQUIRED RELIABILITY
- 09/20/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, GROOVED AND WORN BEYOND REPAIR AT 49,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING "STYLE" BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP THAT PROBABLY CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE WEAR. HOWEVER, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT IN THEM AND THE ROTORS ARE SMOOTH AS CAN BE (I EVEN CHECKED THE INSIDE). MY CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND MY WIFE AND I COMMONLY "DOWNSHIFT" TO CONTROL ENGINE SPEED. MY DRIVING STYLE HAS GIVEN ME LONGER BRAKING SYSTEM LIFE ON CARS I DRIVE AND HAVE DRIVEN. I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THE EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON THE REAR WHEELS OF MY CAR AND ON OTHERS ON THE ROAD SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH 2004, AND THOUGHT IT ODD SINCE MOST BRAKING IS DONE BY THE FRONT WHEELS. I HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS CLEANING THE BRAKE DUST FROM MY REAR WHEELS, SO I KNOW. UNFORTUNATELY, IT NEVER CLICKED IN MY HEAD THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE BEING CARVED UP. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WEAR ITEM AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT IS IT NOT COMMON IN THE INDUSTRY FOR THE PADS TO WEAR OUT MUCH BEFORE THE ROTORS? I THINK THERE IS CAUSE TO RESEARCH THIS FURTHER. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE TWO MAZDA DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE DONE ALL MY OIL FILTER CHANGES AND HALF OF MY TIRE ROTATIONS, TO HAVE NEVER MENTIONED ANY BRAKE WEAR BEFORE. OTHER THAN THAT, SO FAR, THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. *NM
- 09/18/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAD MY MECHANIC WORKING ON REPLACING A BURNT OUT LICENSE PLATE LIGHT WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. HE TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS STARTED WORKING AGAIN, TURNED THE LIGHTS BACK OFF AND ON AGAIN, AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE BACK TO NOT WORKING AGAIN. HE IDENTIFIED THE FUSE BOX TO BE THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, AS WHEN THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT, HE WOULD HIT THE FUSE BOX WHICH WOULD THEN CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON, AND HE DEMONSTRATED THIS FOR ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO ME AND AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES OF INTERNET RESEARCH I FOUND OTHERS WERE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I'VE NOT BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I'VE CALLED MAZDA AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE PART, BUT I'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS PART HAS BEEN REISSUED 6 TIMES. THIS MAKES ME THINK IT HAS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE, OTHERWISE WHY KEEP MODIFYING THE PART? *TR
- 09/17/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT ROTORS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND RIDGING AT 300 MILES. REAR ROTORS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND RIDGING, DEEP GROOVE/PIT IN RIGHT REAR AT 300 MILES.*AK
- 09/16/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
BUCKING AND LOSS OF POWER, NOISE COMING FROM AREA NEAR FUEL PUMP UNTIL PART FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAR WOULD NOT START, OR IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE TO BE REPLACED. FOUR FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP OF NEW CAR. *NM
- 09/13/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2004 MAZDA 3 WITH 2.3 LITER ENGINE AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAZDA HAS A POOR DESIGN ENGINE OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE END IS MADE OF PLASTIC. THESE END CAPS TEND TO FATIGUE AND CRACK WITH AGE. THIS PART IS EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT, VIBRATIONS, AND TORQUE. WHEN IT CRACKS AND LEAKS IT LEADS TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
- 09/13/2007· TIRES
SIDEWALL SEPARATION GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA TIRE ORIGINAL TIRE ON 2004 MAZDA 3 DRIVEN 21,400 MILES. PREVIOUSLY 2 UNEXPLAINED FLAT TIRES. TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO CHECK TIRES. NO CAUSE FOUND. FOR THE THIRD TIME, AIR WAS LEAKING FROM THE TIRE AND THE SIDEWALL SEPARATION WITH A LARGE DEEP CRACK WAS 3/4 AROUND THE TIRE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A GOODYEAR DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY THE EAGLE RSA WERE BEING REPLACED ON THE NISSAN'S AND NOT THE MAZDA 3. NO FURTHER EXPLANATION WAS AVAILABLE. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE AT LEAST ONE TIRE AND PERHAPS ALL FOUR BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
- 09/13/2007· TIRES
ALL 4 EAGLE RS A P205 GOODYEAR TIRES ON MY 2004 MAZDA 3 4 DOOR SEDAN ARE DEFECTIVE. ONE TIRE THE SIDEWALL TOTALLY CRACKED AND SEPARTED AND THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE BEGINNING TO CRACK AND SEPARTE. I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND ARE A SAFETY HAZZARD. THE GOODYEAR DEALER HAS REFUSED TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. I KNOW THE TIRES ON THE NISSAN CARS ARE BEING REPLACED FOR THE SAME DEFECT. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE ONE TIRE AND THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK THE OTHER 3 TIRES WHICH WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SHOWED ME THE SEPARATING SIDEWALLS AND TOLD ME THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE LISTED AS THE ONLY OPTION FOR EAGLE RSA ON YOUR FORM IS P245. THESE TIRES IN QUESTION ARE P205 SO I AM NOT SURE HOW TO REPORT THIS DEFECT.
- 09/08/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE A LUXURY SUV APPEARED FROM ONE SIDE, REQUIRING ME TO STOP SUDDENLY. HOWEVER, WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKES SEEMED VERY HESITANT TO RESPOND, EVEN WITH ABS. THANKFULLY THE CAR DID STOP IN TIME. I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES AND HAVE ALSO NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AND A FEW GROOVES IN THE DISCS/ROTORS IN THE REAR AFTER ONLY 1000 MILES.*AK
- 09/04/2017· ENGINE
NO PROBLEMS FROM CAR NO WARNING LIGHT. BIG BANG THEN ENGINE MAKING VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE...ON INTERSTATE... STILL CRANKS BUT NEEDS MOTOR...READ THAT LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS