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2005 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 20 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

24 reports
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54,000 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10224952

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2008
Air BagsCrash

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 10 EAST, PARSIPPANY, NJ IN THE LEFT LANE. I WAS DRIVING AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT TWO CARS HAD JUST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THEY DID NOT HAVE THEIR HAZARDS ON. AS I APPROACHED THE CARS, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND HI…

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 10 EAST, PARSIPPANY, NJ IN THE LEFT LANE. I WAS DRIVING AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT TWO CARS HAD JUST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THEY DID NOT HAVE THEIR HAZARDS ON. AS I APPROACHED THE CARS, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND HIT THE ONE CAR STRAIGHT ON GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT NEVER INFLATED. MY CAR IS A MAZDA6 2005. I BROUGHT THE CAR AT SATURN OF TOMSRIVER, NJ AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNER VEHICLE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING ASSESSED BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER. I WILL NOTIFY THEM NOT TO TOUCH THE AIR BAG IN CASE YOU ARE GOING TO DO AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215334

47,000 miles · Oct 19, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA3, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HE LEFT THE ROADWAY, BROKE THRU A FARM PROPERTY FENCE, SPUN AROUND, WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SECTION OF FENCE, THEN IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A LARGE HEMLOCK TREE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. HE W…

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MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA3, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HE LEFT THE ROADWAY, BROKE THRU A FARM PROPERTY FENCE, SPUN AROUND, WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SECTION OF FENCE, THEN IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A LARGE HEMLOCK TREE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT, AND FEELS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED, BECAUSE NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, OR NEITHER OF THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE PHOTOS, THE CAR WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #10206279

29,000 miles · Jan 4, 2007
Air BagsFuel System, GasolineSeatsCrashInjury

MY WIFE SONDRA WAS STOPPED IN OUR 2005 MAZDA3 WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A 2001 MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN IT STUCK OUR CAR. OUR CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, INJURIES WERE, 8 STITCHES TO THE…

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MY WIFE SONDRA WAS STOPPED IN OUR 2005 MAZDA3 WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A 2001 MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN IT STUCK OUR CAR. OUR CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, INJURIES WERE, 8 STITCHES TO THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE, BACK AND NECK INJURIES, SHE IS UNDER GOING THERAPY AND IS WAITING FOR MORE TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE REASON THAT I AM CONTACTING YOU IS BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SAFETY THAT FAILED. 1. THE DRIVERS SEATBACK BROKE DURING IMPACT. 2. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN SHE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF HER. 3. THE EMERGENCY SWITCH THAT SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED FROM ALL THE DAMAGE, THE CAR IS VALUED AT $ 18,700.00. I EMAILED MAZDA APPROX. 10 DAYS AGO ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177787

Official recalls

2

21V494000 · 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.

04V559000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 22, 2004

ON TWO PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE SOLDER CONNECTION ATTACHING THE ACCELERATION SENSOR IN THE SAS UNIT MADE CONTACT WITH THE BASE PLATE, DAMAGING THE SOLDER CONNECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES. THE TWO VEHICLE OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004, AND THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.