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2006 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

About this comparison →
166Owner complaints

Model-year median: 108

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
145
200497
2005166
2006222
2007303
2008115
2009
Compare all MAZDA3 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
28Air Bags
27Electrical System
21Power Train
21Engine
17
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
17Suspension
14Tires
14Structure
12Service Brakes
8Unknown Or Other
8Vehicle Speed Control
7Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5Exterior Lighting
3Fuel/propulsion System
3Seats
3Wheels
3Equipment
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

124 reports with mileage · 42 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.

  • Steering. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Seats complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
30,000 miles · Dec 20, 2017
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEATS OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMING APART FROM THE BASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HODGES MAZDA AT THE AVENUES, 10681 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256) AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEATS OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMING APART FROM THE BASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HODGES MAZDA AT THE AVENUES, 10681 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256) AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11055704

89,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Air BagsSeats

THE AIRBAG SENSOR AROUND THE SEAT AREA ISN'T PROTECTED VERY WELL FROM DIRT AND DEBRIS! NEEDS TO BE SECURED BETTER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681382

8,000 miles · Feb 2, 2007
SeatsCrashInjury

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER TO FAIL. THE SEAT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.THIS CRASH HAPPENED UNDER WET CONDITIO…

Read full complaint

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER TO FAIL. THE SEAT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.THIS CRASH HAPPENED UNDER WET CONDITIONS. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181438

Official recalls

1

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.

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.