209 of the
4,006 complaints filed about the Mazda MAZDA3
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
209
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
The vehicle's Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) / infotainment system has experienced a complete, permanent internal electronic failure, logged by Diagnostic Trouble Code DTC U3000:49 (Control Module Internal Electronic Failure). The main display screen is completely dark at all times and never powers on or responds. The unit is available for inspection upon request. This total hardware failure creates critical safety hazards: 1. Non-Compliance with FMVSS No. 111 (Rear Visibility): Because the rearview camera relies entirely on the main display screen, the backup camera is 100% inoperative. When shifting into Reverse, the screen remains black, offering zero rearward visibility and creating an immediate backover risk to pedestrians, children, and property. 2. Complete Loss of Driver Assistance & Emergency Systems: The permanently dark display eliminates access to active safety guidance, rear cross-traffic visual alerts, parking distance indicators, turn-by-turn navigation, and hands-free emergency communication interfaces. 3. Ongoing Driver Distraction: Operating the vehicle without essential safety/navigation displays requires additional driver focus, causing persistent cognitive distraction. The failure was confirmed via professional OBD-II diagnostic scanning showing DTC U3000:49, which explicitly denotes an unprovoked internal component failure rather than wear and tear. The manufacturer has declined to repair or replace the failed assembly out of warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11756362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver-side sun visor has suffered an internal mechanical failure where the internal plastic tension components have cracked under normal use. As a direct result, the sun visor will not stay up and randomly drops down completely unprompted while the vehicle is in motion. This creates an immediate, sudden, and dangerous visibility hazard by blocking my forward view of the road while driving.Mazda has formally recognized this specific engineering defect across 2019–2025 Mazda 3 vehicles in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) MC-11016209-0001, explicitly stating that the internal stay components crack. However, because Mazda has only issued a TSB and not a safety recall, out-of-warranty owners are forced to pay out-of-pocket to repair a component critical to safe driving visibility. This issue needs to be escalated to a formal safety recall before it causes an accident due to forward view obstruction.
NHTSA complaint #11747084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the windshield wipers had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, Tire-Rama, where the windshield wiper switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V272000 (VISIBILITY); and referred the customer to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the owner that the vehicle was not covered under the recall because the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11742263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While I was driving on the highway, I went to use my front wipers and there was no response when trying to active them. The rear wiper, front and rear washer fluid sprayers all worked. No warning lights or other signs of failure were present. I took the car to a local repair shop and they diagnosed it as a bad Body Control Module. Once the module was replaced and reprogrammed, the wipers worked as intended. Safety Recall 3219D describes the issue I had perfecly. My VIN is out of the range of this recall but if I had the same issue as this recall, there might be other bad parts out there and that range might need to be increased.
NHTSA complaint #11726590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blend door actuator linkage will not allow for heat to be turned on, will blow cool/cold air, have had it looked at and the gear teeth will not stay in line with on another to be able to turn when the knob inside the car is turned. I was told that this may be a recall but do not see anything listed, but that it is a known problem for this model of mazda 3 and ford expiditions
NHTSA complaint #11711857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wiper stopped functioning, in the rain. Started with the wipers making 2 wipes rapidly, then not functioning. Next day, wipers partially functioned erratically before being stuck in the up position.
NHTSA complaint #11651688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS GET EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION ON THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS OBSTRUCTIING VISIBILITY. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE SAME SITUATION. THIS PUTS OTHERS AT RISK BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK WELL WHEN THERE IS HEAVY CONDENSATION ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11631734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The wipers randomly stopped working. No matter which wiper setting was chosen, the windshield wipers would not activate. I took my car to the nearest Mazda dealer and they fixed it by replacing the Body Control Module.
NHTSA complaint #11611866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Intermittent faulty display (or no display) from rear-view camera as described in Recall 23V-487. Recall was issued in July 2023, but as of August 27, 2024, the parts to fix the recall issue are still not available and Mazda customer service has no idea when the parts will be available. In my view, this is not a timely resolution of the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11611249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
my Mazda 03 dashboard is melting, and I am not able to see out the window... I have talked to dealer and manufactory, and they will not pay the whole amount knowing it's a safety issue. I don't understand how they can sell product on car that is malfunctioning and a safety issue. I bought the car brand new in 2010 and didn't have any issues until this year. Please call me back at [XXX] my name is [XXX] . I was not in an accident, just think this is a safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11583189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard of my 2012 Mazda 3 has separated from the instrument panel causing a gap between them. The dashboard has become very sticky leaving a black sticky film on the surface. This has caused a glare on the windshield making it hard to see at times while driving. There is a letter dated May 2017 from Mazda, Special Service Program (SSP) A9. The letter states that the warranty was extended 7 years (84 months) from the original warranty start date or April 30, 2018, whichever is later, with no milage limitation. As I read it, 7 years of 84 months from 2018 should extend the warranty for repair of replacement through 2025. Mazda refuses to make repairs, or replacement of this equipment that has an impact on the proper function of the airbag system and impairs the driver's vision because of the constant windshield glare. This is an issue. that needs to be addressed as an important safety.
NHTSA complaint #11581837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact leased a 2024 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at 55–60 mph, the windshield wipers continued to stay in the on position and failed to turn off. The parking brake engaged without application and turned on and off. All the electrical systems malfunctioned and failed to turn off. The lane assist engaged and forced the vehicle to crash into the side wall. All the instrument cluster warning lights were illuminated. There were no reported injuries. There was no police report filed. There was no air bag deployment or fire. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the mechanic reset the codes. The mechanic informed the contact that the malfunction may continue while traveling over a bump. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 1,900.
NHTSA complaint #11569891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car has a faulty Front Body Power Module, a known issue with these cars, but Mazda keeps saying my model is not in the bracket for recalls, they say it's manufactured a day after the cutoff for the recall, so they won't give me recall repair. My windshield wipers aren't working and it's pouring rain, so this is a HUGE danger. I can't afford the $1500+ repair and don't think it's right this is a known issue for this car model and because mine is supposedly 1 day late I don't qualify for the recall care. They expect me to go to a dealership and pay more money for a diagnostic for something that is an issue, and then I have to call corporate again and they'll "Decide" if they'll cover my car or not.
NHTSA complaint #11564467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboard adhesive migrates to the surface of the dashboard. Adhesive then sublimates and condenses on the windshield making a glaze on the windshield, making it extremely difficult to see the road in sunrise or sunset conditions. I've repeatedly cleaned the windshield with many different cleaners including acetone, but at best I am only able to improve visibility, not restore it. In the attached photo, the upper portion of photo illustrates the film of adhesive on the glass after it was wiped with a clean paper towel, creating a hazy appearance. The entire windshield was cleaned with acetone and heavy duty degreaser and window cleaner prior to the photo.
NHTSA complaint #11539717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
in May 2023 the visors of the vehicle hinge melted causing the visors to hang down to eye level and would not hold up causing visibly issues for driver and passenger. dealer said it is a common issue in heat but it blocks forward visibility and won't hold up and if there were and accident, forward movement of passenger or driver can cause the head to hit the visor causing injury.
NHTSA complaint #11533720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dashboards should be subject to a recall immediately since badly reduced visibility from glare is a recipe for an accident. The defective (melting) material is so bad that if the sun hits it just right, I can hardly see anything ahead of me; it is an accident waiting to happen. I called my Mazda dealer (Gray Epperson Mazda in Cleveland, TN (423) 303-1333) but said there was nothing they could do now as there was a warranty before but it had expired. I try to drive the car but always trying to avoid sunny conditions, but unfortunately, when I leave at 5pm conditions are worse if it's sunny. I wish Mazda would accept responsibility soon (or they are forced to do so by NHTSA, if needed) so that I wouldn't have to take such a risk.
NHTSA complaint #11522117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.