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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.

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

What owners actually said

97 reports
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

27,500 miles · Jun 10, 2008
SteeringCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE CORNER OF THE VEHICLE ON A GUARD RAIL. A WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT AN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE CORNER OF THE VEHICLE ON A GUARD RAIL. A WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,500.

NHTSA ODI #10230425

67,230 miles · May 28, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE READJUSTED HIS DRIVER'S SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THIS INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE READJUSTED HIS DRIVER'S SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THIS INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,230. UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR OPENED, IT WOULD RESET AND LIGHT. UPDATED.

NHTSA ODI #10229124

40,000 miles · May 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA 3 TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT SERVICED, ENGINE NOISE, AND IT CAUGHT FIRE LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM THE DEALERSHIP.. MAZDA STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226789

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

108,000 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY MAZDA3 2005 HAS HAD AN A/C COMPRESSOR PROBLEM. THIS EXPENSIVE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES TO NO AVAIL. IT FAILS AGAIN EVERY TIME, AND MAZDA INSISTS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224580

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

36,000 miles · Dec 4, 2007
Electrical System

RECALL WAS FILED TO THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN AS OF NOV. 30TH 2007 FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON. THE TUBE MATERIAL USED IN ELECTRICAL WIRING OF MOTOR IS INAPPROPRIATE. THE TUBE LOSES IT'S INTENSITY OVER THE TIME AND IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING BADLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE MOTOR. THUS, THE MOTOR WILL NOT RES…

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RECALL WAS FILED TO THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION IN JAPAN AS OF NOV. 30TH 2007 FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON. THE TUBE MATERIAL USED IN ELECTRICAL WIRING OF MOTOR IS INAPPROPRIATE. THE TUBE LOSES IT'S INTENSITY OVER THE TIME AND IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING BADLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE MOTOR. THUS, THE MOTOR WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY IT HAS NOT YET FILED IN THE U.S. I HAVE HAD VERY PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT TAKE ME SERIOUSLY SINCE IT IS NOT SHOWN IN THEIR SYSTEM IN THE U.S. YET. I FOUND THIS RECALL NOTICE ON MAZDA JAPAN(JAPANESE ONLY) WEBSITE AND ALSO IN MANY NEWSPAPER WEBS. HOWEVER, NOBODY SEEMS TO BE NOTIFIED IN THE U.S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210774

21,000 miles · Nov 20, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKES GRAB AND RELEASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,965. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO WOBBLE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKES GRAB AND RELEASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,965. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO WOBBLE IN THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ALL 4 TIRES HAD BLISTERS ON THEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT END WOBBLE STOPPED. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10209508

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2007
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR, THE EVAPORATOR HAD FAILED. IT IS MOUNTED IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR AND I PAID $600 TO HAVE IT REPLACED SINCE I'M IN FLORIDA AND YOU CANNOT LIVE HERE WITHOUT IT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE INTERIOR IS BLACK. IT IS FRUSTRATING AND EXPENSIVE AND NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT FOR A CAR THAT WAS LESS THAN TW…

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AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR, THE EVAPORATOR HAD FAILED. IT IS MOUNTED IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR AND I PAID $600 TO HAVE IT REPLACED SINCE I'M IN FLORIDA AND YOU CANNOT LIVE HERE WITHOUT IT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE INTERIOR IS BLACK. IT IS FRUSTRATING AND EXPENSIVE AND NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT FOR A CAR THAT WAS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD. VERY DISAPPOINTING!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208935

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.