IllustrationTEETH OF WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CONNECTION ARE STRIPPED OUT BY THE WIPER MOTORS. THIS JUST HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. OCCURS WHEN THERE IS SNOW/ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND THE TEETH/GEAR IN THE WIPER ARM AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO LIFT THE WEIGHT. *TR
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 →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
90–25K
1725–50K
2050–75K
875–100K
15100–150K
8150K+
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
Visibility complaints
2 reportsCONSUMER CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD WHEN MAKING TURNS OR DOWN INCLINES. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD BECAME DARK ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A DIP FROM THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD TO BEND HIS HEAD DOWN UNDER THE BLACKNESS OF THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE AHEAD. *JB
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.