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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

Suspension complaints

3 reports
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35,000 miles · Jan 30, 2019
Suspension

TIRES FEATHER OR CUP IN LESS THAN 25000 MILES DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL FACTORY CAMBER TIRE MANUFACTURERS DO NOT RECOMMEND AGGRESSIVE CAMBER AND WILL NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. MAZDA AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS KNOW THAT THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR FASTER SINCE THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. THE FEATH…

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TIRES FEATHER OR CUP IN LESS THAN 25000 MILES DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL FACTORY CAMBER TIRE MANUFACTURERS DO NOT RECOMMEND AGGRESSIVE CAMBER AND WILL NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. MAZDA AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS KNOW THAT THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR FASTER SINCE THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. THE FEATHERING DRASTICALLY AFFECT HANDLING ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER. TIRE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD STATE THE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE CAMBER FOR THEIR TIRES AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD CHOOSE APPROPRIATELY DESIGN TIRES FOR THIS APPLICATION. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT HAPPENS WITH FACTORY RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT SPECS. THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER IMPROVES HANDLING BUT TIRES ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. IF THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT BACK THE TIRE FOR THIS APPLICATION THEN THE CAR MANUFACTURER HAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED THE SUSPENSION FOR PASSENGER CARS. THIS IS THE 3S MODEL WITH ONLY 135000 MILES AND 5TH SET OF TIRES AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED EACH TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11173140

129,000 miles · Apr 13, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A BUMP, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING AND RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A BUMP, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING AND RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD TO BE PLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10855360

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2008
Suspension

SALUDOS, LA SIGUIENTE ES PARA INFORMARLES QUE DESDE ABRIL 2005, POSEO UN MAZDA 3 DEL 2005. EN ESTOS MOMENTOS DICHO AUTO TIENE UN RECORRIDO DE 50,000 MILLAS Y LE HE REEMPLAZADO LOS NEUMATICOS EN 3 OCACIONES YA QUE DESGASTA LOS NEUMATICOS POSTERIORES POR LA PARTE INTERIOR MIENTRAS QUE LA PARTE EXTERIOR SE MANTIENE CON POCO DESGAST…

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SALUDOS, LA SIGUIENTE ES PARA INFORMARLES QUE DESDE ABRIL 2005, POSEO UN MAZDA 3 DEL 2005. EN ESTOS MOMENTOS DICHO AUTO TIENE UN RECORRIDO DE 50,000 MILLAS Y LE HE REEMPLAZADO LOS NEUMATICOS EN 3 OCACIONES YA QUE DESGASTA LOS NEUMATICOS POSTERIORES POR LA PARTE INTERIOR MIENTRAS QUE LA PARTE EXTERIOR SE MANTIENE CON POCO DESGASTE. HE LLEVADO EL AUTO EN MAS DE 3 OCASIONES EL CENTRO DE SERVICIO DE CABRERA HERMANOS EN HATILLO PUERTO RICO Y ESTOS ME INFORMAN QUE ESTO SUCEDE POR EL TIPO DE SUSPENCION TRASERA DEL AUTO. HE CONSULTADO CON TECNICOS PRIVADOS Y ME INFORMAN QUE MUCHAS PERSONAS TIENEN EL MISMO PROBLEMA, CON EL MISMO TIPO DE AUTO. EL DIAGNOSTICO ES UN PROBLEMA CON LAS EXENTRICAS QUE NO PERMITEN EL DEBIDO AJUSTE DEL ALINEAMIENTO TRASERO. YA EN EL MERCADO EXSISTEN LOS REEMPLAZOS DE ESTAS PIEZAS PARA CORREGIR ESTE DEFECTO DE FABRIANTE, PERO SU COSTO ES DE $300.00. ESTOS TECNICOS INFORMAN QUE ESTE DEFECTO PUEDE CAUSAR ACCIDENTES POR EL DESGASTE DE LOS NEUMATICOS.

NHTSA ODI #10233130

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.