NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
97 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN DRIVING TO AND FROM SOMEWHERE WHEN I COME TO A STOP SIGN OR A STOP LIGHT MY CAR WILL SHAKE (VIBRATE) ALOT AND SOMETIMES ALMOST DIE SO I HAVE TO PUSH ON THE GAS A LITTLE OR PUT THE CAR IN PARK. ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS MY CAR WONT ALWAYS TURN OVER. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PIECXES AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO MAZDA DEALER SHIPS AND …
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WHEN DRIVING TO AND FROM SOMEWHERE WHEN I COME TO A STOP SIGN OR A STOP LIGHT MY CAR WILL SHAKE (VIBRATE) ALOT AND SOMETIMES ALMOST DIE SO I HAVE TO PUSH ON THE GAS A LITTLE OR PUT THE CAR IN PARK. ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS MY CAR WONT ALWAYS TURN OVER. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PIECXES AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO MAZDA DEALER SHIPS AND NOONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE EXACT PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS AN INTERMITEN PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY SENSE I HAVE TWO KIDS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430351
70,000 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE INVLOVED INTO HIGHWAY COLLISION DURING WET CONDITIONS. WAS STRUCK BY TOYOTA TACOMA AFTER THE TACOMA HAD SPUN OUT. INITIAL IMPACT WAS DRIVER SIDE FENDER CORNER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT, AS IT SPUN OUT , VEHICLE WAS STRUCK 3 MORE TIMES, BY THE OUT OF CONTROL TACOMA, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR, FRONT DOOR AND FE…
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VEHICLE INVLOVED INTO HIGHWAY COLLISION DURING WET CONDITIONS. WAS STRUCK BY TOYOTA TACOMA AFTER THE TACOMA HAD SPUN OUT. INITIAL IMPACT WAS DRIVER SIDE FENDER CORNER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT, AS IT SPUN OUT , VEHICLE WAS STRUCK 3 MORE TIMES, BY THE OUT OF CONTROL TACOMA, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR, FRONT DOOR AND FENDER. REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAVED IN , PANEL ASSEMBLY WAS PUSHED IN , WINDOW SHATTERED, BENCH SEAT DISLODGED. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING ANY OF THE 4 IMPACTS. DESPITE FULL BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, VEHICLE SPINNING AND 3 SEATBELTS ENGAGED. ACCORDINGLY SYSTEM WAS TESTED "OK" BY MAZDA DURING VEHICLE REPAIRS. I WOULD SUPPOSE THAT THE CURTAIN SIDE AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED ESPECIALLY IF THE REAR DOOR WAS SMASHED IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429218
77,050 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Electrical SystemSteering
BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON 10/5/11, NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL FELT HARDER TO TURN INTERMITTENTLY, AT THE SAME TIME, THE RADIO AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED AND ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHED. I STOPPED AND RETURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY , WHERE THE CAR REPEATED TO FLICKER LIGHTS AND RADIO EVERYTIME I WOULD TURN THE WHEEL. IT DID T…
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BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON 10/5/11, NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL FELT HARDER TO TURN INTERMITTENTLY, AT THE SAME TIME, THE RADIO AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED AND ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHED. I STOPPED AND RETURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY , WHERE THE CAR REPEATED TO FLICKER LIGHTS AND RADIO EVERYTIME I WOULD TURN THE WHEEL. IT DID THIS UNTIL I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON , WITH NO PROBLEMS THROUGH OUT THE DAY. ON 10/8/11, I WAS TURNING INTO A GAS STATION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED , I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING SO I FINISHED MY TURN AND ATTEMPTED TO PARK ALL WHILE NOTICING MY VEHICLE TURNING OFF AND POWER STEERING LIGHT ON. CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF BY THE TIME I COULD GET IT TO A SECURE LOCATION . THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AT AL , THE BATTERY SEEMED COMPLETELY DEAD , WHERE I NEEDED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TURN IT BACK ON . NO PROBLEM THROUGH THE REST OF THE DAY SINCE THAT HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429215
42,679 miles · Sep 7, 2011
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHEN THICK SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF MY AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK DRIVING IT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALER IS 6.5 MILES AWAY, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHEN THICK SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF MY AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK DRIVING IT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALER IS 6.5 MILES AWAY, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND BEGAN MELTING TWO DRIVE BELTS. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR, 2 BELTS, REFRIGERANT, FUSE AND DRYER S (?) FOR A TOTAL ABOUT $850. NOW I AM READING OTHERS' COMPLAINTS AND SEE THAT SOMEONE WAS REIMBURSED BY MAZDA FOR THIS, AND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IF I'D BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE SMOKE SMELLED QUITE ACRID; WAS LIKELY BREATHING IN TOXIC SUBSTANCES. IT SEEMS LIKE MAZDA SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS. I AM CONTACTING THEM TO REQUEST THAT THEY REIMBURSE MY COSTS, EVEN THOUGH I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424160
44,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
PLAGUE WITH FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. 1ST TIME CHECK ENGINE CAME ON, WHEN CAR REACHED 44,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC, AND REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR. WARRANTY COVERED. 2ND TIME CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AT 51,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED 2 OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. WHEN CAR REACH 85,000 MILES, ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING W…
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PLAGUE WITH FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. 1ST TIME CHECK ENGINE CAME ON, WHEN CAR REACHED 44,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC, AND REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR. WARRANTY COVERED. 2ND TIME CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AT 51,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED 2 OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. WHEN CAR REACH 85,000 MILES, ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING WHEN I PRESSED GAS PEDAL, ENGINE JUST DIES ON THE STREET. THIS TIME DEALER SAID FUEL PUMP MIGHT BE BAD. SO WE GOT IT REPLACED FOR $800. WHEN CAR REACH 100,000 MILES I HAD FUEL LINE CLEANED FROM FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL INJECTORS, AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. AT 105,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK CAR TO AUTOZONE PARTS AND HAD IT READ. THE CODE SAYS, P2004 (VARIABLE TUMBLE SHUTTER VALVE STUCK OPEN). THE NEXT DAY I WAS GOING TAKE IT TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT, BUT ON MY WAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T LIT ANYMORE, SO I DROVE STRAIGHT TO WORK. 3 DAYS AFTER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, SO I JUST IGNORED IT. AND 2 DAYS LATER, IT DISAPPEARED. ALL THESE TIME, SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR I NEVER MISSED A REGULAR MAINTENANCE, I.E., OIL CHANGE, AIR FILTER CHANGE, FLUSHED FLUIDS. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH TIRE REPLACEMENT, NEW BRAKES PADS, NEW BATTERY. RIGHT NOW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT LIT.
NHTSA ODI #10417610
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2011
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY MAZDA 3 2005 EACH YEAR SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR; EACH SIDE I'VE REPLACED 3 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THEM ALL INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP, SO THAT I KNOW THE REPAIR IS BEING DONE CORRECTLY. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, HOWEVER I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND…
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I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY MAZDA 3 2005 EACH YEAR SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR; EACH SIDE I'VE REPLACED 3 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THEM ALL INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP, SO THAT I KNOW THE REPAIR IS BEING DONE CORRECTLY. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS, HOWEVER I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I'M SURPRISED THAT NO RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY DO NOT WANT MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH HAS HAPPENED TWICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398088
75,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Visibility
TEETH 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
NHTSA ODI #10392661
30,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE USED A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING PUM…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE USED A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING PUMP THAN THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10382626
73,000 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I DEVELOPED A TICK IN THE ENGINE, TOOK TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED " THE SHUTTER VALVE INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COMING APART". TOOK IT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MAZDA REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD "THE VALVE IS ACTUALLY JUST STUCK OPEN". BOTH SHOPS QUOTED A $1500 REPAIR BILL. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS ONLY 5 1/2 YEARS…
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I DEVELOPED A TICK IN THE ENGINE, TOOK TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED " THE SHUTTER VALVE INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COMING APART". TOOK IT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MAZDA REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD "THE VALVE IS ACTUALLY JUST STUCK OPEN". BOTH SHOPS QUOTED A $1500 REPAIR BILL. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT IS ONLY 5 1/2 YEARS OLD. YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE PLASTIC SHUTTER VALVE, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD (THAT PART COSTS $1000). SINCE I ONLY PAID $14,000 TOTAL FOR THE WHOLE CAR, I AM VERY UPSET WITH (MY 1ST AND LAST) MAZDA. I WILL REPAIR AND SELL ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367937
44,000 miles · Nov 10, 2010
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT ON, I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY 2005 MAZDA3, BUT MAZDA SAYS THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVENTHOUGH THE YEAR AND MODEL MATCH THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365325