IllustrationMAZDA 3 ENGINE MOUNTS CONTINUE TO FAIL, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 4 YEARS. *TR
2004 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
1225–50K
1950–75K
1975–100K
20100–150K
6150K+
111 reports with mileage · 34 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports2 fire reports11 injury reports
Equipment complaints
5 reportsAIR CONDITIONING IN MY 2004 MAZDA 3 IS VERY WEAK IF AT ALL. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT TWICE AND THERE WAS ONE RECALL FOR A/C ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *NM
WEAK AIR CONDITIONING SINCE PURCHASE. IMPLEMENTED TSB 07-005/04 DIFFUSER PLATE #PART # BN8P-61-J6X ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. WAS TOLD ISSUE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN '04. TO DATE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB
THE AIRCONDITIONER IN MY MAZDA 3 BARELY FUNCTIONS AT ALL. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. THEY STATED IT WAS UP TO STANDARDS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE STANDARD WAS, THEY SAID IF IT COOLED AT ALL IT PASSED THE STANDARD. WITH THE AIR ON, THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY POORLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED…
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THE AIRCONDITIONER IN MY MAZDA 3 BARELY FUNCTIONS AT ALL. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. THEY STATED IT WAS UP TO STANDARDS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE STANDARD WAS, THEY SAID IF IT COOLED AT ALL IT PASSED THE STANDARD. WITH THE AIR ON, THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY POORLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, YOU CAN FEEL SEVERAL STAGES OF JERKING AND POWER COMING ON AND OFF LIKE RELAYS ARE KICKING IN AND OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GAUGE HOW MUCH ACCELERATION YOU WILL GET WITH THE JERKING DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE AN E-MAIL FROM MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN OR IF THERE WILL BE A SOLUTION.*AK
THE A/C ON MY NEW CAR DOES NOT COOL THE CAR TO ANY COMFORT LEVEL.. I SWEAT IN THE HEAT WITH THE AC ON.IT DOESN'T COOL THE CAR INSIDE.I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY MAZDA DEALER THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE MAUFACTUER'S STANDARDS.I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING WITH THE AC ON WHEN PASSING AT 40MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IT…
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THE A/C ON MY NEW CAR DOES NOT COOL THE CAR TO ANY COMFORT LEVEL.. I SWEAT IN THE HEAT WITH THE AC ON.IT DOESN'T COOL THE CAR INSIDE.I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY MAZDA DEALER THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE MAUFACTUER'S STANDARDS.I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING WITH THE AC ON WHEN PASSING AT 40MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IT DRAGGED.I HAD TO FLLOOR THE GAS PEDAL ON A MAJORR INTERSTATE TO MOVE FROM 40-60,FROM TOO SLOW TO TOO FAST.I HAD SECONDS TO MOVE OR GET KILLED.THE AC DOES NOT WORK AND THE SERVICE MANAGERR TOLD ME I HAVE TOO SMALL AN ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE LARGER ENGINE THE( 2.3) YET THEY DENY ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AC SYSTEM.THE AC HASN'T WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY I NOTICED IT IN JULY.IT TOOK THREE WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT AN APPT. PLEASE IGNORE THE HOOD EQUIPMENT ADDED BELOW( NOTHIGN ADDDED AFTER CAR WAS SOLD) COULD NOT REMOVE EQUIPMENT ADDED IN THIS REPORT.*AK
Official recalls
221V494000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jul 1, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
04V468000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Sep 24, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.