← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Parking Brake complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
38,000 miles · May 7, 2009
Parking Brake

I PURCHASED MY 2005 MAZDA 3S DURING THE WINTER OF 2005. FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY HAD MY CAR SERVICED BY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDED SERVICING SCHEDULE. DESPITE THIS, MY REAR BRAKES SUDDENLY CEASED MONDAY. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR CALIPERS…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY 2005 MAZDA 3S DURING THE WINTER OF 2005. FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY HAD MY CAR SERVICED BY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDED SERVICING SCHEDULE. DESPITE THIS, MY REAR BRAKES SUDDENLY CEASED MONDAY. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR CALIPERS AND BRAKE LINES HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED ALONG WITH MY REAR ROTORS AND REAR BRAKE PADS - FOR $2650 (NOT INCLUDING THE TOWING FEE). MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 38,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS ALWAYS WELL-CARED FOR. IT RAISES SERIOUS RED FLAGS THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY CORRODE IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IN CARS WITH MUCH MORE MILEAGE, I'VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A HAZARDOUS MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267968

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2005
Parking BrakeCrash

OWNER PARKED VEHICLE ON SLIGHT (20%) INCLINE AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKES. VEHICLE PARKED FOR 15 MINUTES WHEN OWNER, STANDING NEXT TO VEHICLE, HEARD CREAKING NOISES. AFTER THE NOISE STOPPED VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD, AND HIT A TREE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS WITH EMERGENCY BR…

Read full complaint

OWNER PARKED VEHICLE ON SLIGHT (20%) INCLINE AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKES. VEHICLE PARKED FOR 15 MINUTES WHEN OWNER, STANDING NEXT TO VEHICLE, HEARD CREAKING NOISES. AFTER THE NOISE STOPPED VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD, AND HIT A TREE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118926

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.