Owners have filed 185 complaints
about the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 with NHTSA between 2004 and 2024.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 21 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Mazda MAZDA3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
24.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
149.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1611.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
2014.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1510.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2114.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2316.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2819.6%
150,000+ miles
64.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2004peak 9Aug 2024
Recalls on the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2021412133,947 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic logo on the steering wheel airbag cover could become brittle over time. If this happens, the logo could shatter and could become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Safety Risk: Loose parts that are projected toward the occupants when an airbag inflates could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Mazda will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Recall 200436025,115 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, a crack in the housing of the airbag crash zone sensor may allow water to enter the sensor and cause a short circuit. This will illuminate the airbag warning light. Until the problem is remedied, the airbag will not deploy as required in a frontal crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace with a modified sensor.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 150,000 milesPlano, TXCrash1 injured
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11561370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesHebron, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10788423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPortland, ORFire
POWER TRAIN
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10722690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPortland, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10722690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPortland, ORFire
ENGINE
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10722690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesSaint Charles, MOCrash
AIR BAGS
MY 2 BOYS AND A FRIEND WERE IN THE CAR AND HAD RAN INTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK HARD ENOUGH TO MOVE THE MOTOR BACK, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF, MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK GOD THEY HAD THEIR SEAT BELTS ON. WHY DO I PAY MONEY FOR SAFETY FEATURES IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WORK? I AM REALLY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED AND WILL MAKE SURE ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNOW THAT OUR CAR WAS DEFECTIVE. I WILL LOOK INTO AN ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE YOU FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10627955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Malvern, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This model car has a fuse box under the glove box known as a "passenger junction box" that has a faulty or defective relay soldered onto the circuit board. The relay is tied to lighting that includes the interior lights, exterior front parking lights, exterior rear tail lights, and the license plate light and is controlled by the left turn signal stalk (rotating switch). Based on my experience and many others (on the Mazda 3 forums), this relay has the tendency to fail and cause all of these lights tied to this relay to intermittently or permanently be disabled. There is no warning for this; the driver will only notice when driving at night that the interior illumination of the dashboard goes completely dark, which could cause disorientation and confusion as to whether or not the car is operable. Subsequently, the problem can be recreated by attempting to turn the lights on and off and there will be no response (and no clicking noise...it is audible when working and it switches on); the relay fails to operate and all the lights will not turn on. Driving at night without tail lights is extremely dangerous and I am surprised this has not caused serious injury from rear-ending incidents in nighttime or inclement weather situations. The serial/model number of junction box on my vehicle is BN8B-66730-C and many others on the forums have had the same issue with the same model, as well as other variations of the box. Some on the forums went as far as replacing the culprit relay (see attachment); however, at the risk of destroying the entire junction box and rendering the vehicle unusable. I finally ended up purchasing a replacement unit on eBay which corrected the issue so far and has made the lights reliable again.
NHTSA complaint #11609269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesPlano, TXCrash1 injured
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11561370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bandon, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
There has been no accident- the vehicle is my mother in laws vehicle- my concern is while at work she has at times loaded our daughter into the vehicle- I inspected the vehicle one day while as an employee of Les Schwab- the driver cvc axle vibrates so bad from the boot being torn and having no lubrication- these axles power the vehicle forward and if not maintained can snap and cause damage- the wipers no longer work correctly- the tires are 2017 and old and weather cracked- potential to separate while driving or blow out on the heated pavement. upon inspection also found that the front shocks are blown out and bouncing in the mounts under the hood- causing the tires to not have the correct contact patch on the road thus decreasing traction and control- on top of all this the vehicle hasn't been registered since 2020 and has no insurance on the vehicle- again there has been no accident...yet- this is my concern- that if this vehicle continues to remain operational and on the road it not only puts the driver and occupants at risk but also other drivers- kids- teens and anyone that may be on the other end o the crash when the vehicle does snap the cvc axle or blow i out a tire
NHTSA complaint #11538237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bandon, OR
SUSPENSION
There has been no accident- the vehicle is my mother in laws vehicle- my concern is while at work she has at times loaded our daughter into the vehicle- I inspected the vehicle one day while as an employee of Les Schwab- the driver cvc axle vibrates so bad from the boot being torn and having no lubrication- these axles power the vehicle forward and if not maintained can snap and cause damage- the wipers no longer work correctly- the tires are 2017 and old and weather cracked- potential to separate while driving or blow out on the heated pavement. upon inspection also found that the front shocks are blown out and bouncing in the mounts under the hood- causing the tires to not have the correct contact patch on the road thus decreasing traction and control- on top of all this the vehicle hasn't been registered since 2020 and has no insurance on the vehicle- again there has been no accident...yet- this is my concern- that if this vehicle continues to remain operational and on the road it not only puts the driver and occupants at risk but also other drivers- kids- teens and anyone that may be on the other end o the crash when the vehicle does snap the cvc axle or blow i out a tire
NHTSA complaint #11538237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bandon, OR
STRUCTURE:BODY
There has been no accident- the vehicle is my mother in laws vehicle- my concern is while at work she has at times loaded our daughter into the vehicle- I inspected the vehicle one day while as an employee of Les Schwab- the driver cvc axle vibrates so bad from the boot being torn and having no lubrication- these axles power the vehicle forward and if not maintained can snap and cause damage- the wipers no longer work correctly- the tires are 2017 and old and weather cracked- potential to separate while driving or blow out on the heated pavement. upon inspection also found that the front shocks are blown out and bouncing in the mounts under the hood- causing the tires to not have the correct contact patch on the road thus decreasing traction and control- on top of all this the vehicle hasn't been registered since 2020 and has no insurance on the vehicle- again there has been no accident...yet- this is my concern- that if this vehicle continues to remain operational and on the road it not only puts the driver and occupants at risk but also other drivers- kids- teens and anyone that may be on the other end o the crash when the vehicle does snap the cvc axle or blow i out a tire
NHTSA complaint #11538237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesOceanside, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #11438521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE
THE CAR RAN GREAT FOR THE END OF 2019. I BOUGHT IT USED AT 145,000 MILES. THEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. NOW ITS STUCK IN LIMP MODE.
NHTSA complaint #11318945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesSturgis, MI
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.
NHTSA complaint #11279063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,680 milesChandler, AZ
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAIN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,680.
NHTSA complaint #11206320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #11054858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Saint Louis, MO
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.
NHTSA complaint #11040978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesJasper, AL
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
NHTSA complaint #11021388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPalm Desert, CA
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT WOBBLES-ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED-DANGEROUS IF WELD HAD BROKEN WHILE ON FREEWAY-WHY ISN'T THIS A SAFETY RECALL-NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR VARIOUS MODEL YEARS EVEN WHEN NEW-ARE SEATS REMOVED BY L0-JACK TECHS WHEN INSTALLING LO-JACK DEVICES?
NHTSA complaint #10991961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
STEERING
POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. OFTEN STARTS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE LIGHT , OR SOMETIMES ALL WARNING LIGHTS, COME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION AND THE CAR IS DIFFICULT AND HAZARDOUS TO NAVIGATE TO A STOP. ELECTRONICS FLASH ON AND OFF (HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, ETC.). CAR SOMETIMES DIES. IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT PERFECTLY STRAIGHT WHEN THE CAR DIES, IT IS LOCKED AND THE CAR CANNOT BE RESTARTED UNTIL SOMEONE CAN WRENCH THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR A YEAR. SINCE IT IS INTERMITTENT, MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10892976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,173 milesTroy, NC
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON A FEW TIMES AND SHIFTED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT THE WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,173.
NHTSA complaint #10862262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesMorgan Hill, CA
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.
NHTSA complaint #10794546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesHebron, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10788423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesGreenville, SC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10778435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesApex, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND THE DOOR FRAME WAS STARTING TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT PORTIONS OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CORROSION WAS IN AREAS THAT WERE BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10743883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coventry, RI
TIRES
BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES ON 3/23/12. THREE OF THESE TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10730743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPortland, ORFire
POWER TRAIN
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10722690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPortland, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10722690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesPortland, ORFire
ENGINE
CLUTCH SLIPPING, HIGH RPMS, NOT RED LINING. TRANSMISSION EXPLODED CAUSING ENGINE FIRE AND BURNING MOTOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10722690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesWaipahu, HI
AIR BAGS
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR WEEKS THEN IT WILL TURN OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10722249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesEscondido, CA
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY FOR FEW DAYS THEN GO OFF AND BACK AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #10717534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.