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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

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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

Traction Control System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
39,825 miles · Sep 6, 2010
Traction Control System

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE AT LIGHT COMING UP AND GOES IN A SECOND AND THE CAR ITS LIKE JERKING AND STOPS FOR A SECOND THE SPEED GOES DOWN SUDDENLY LIKE I JUST HIT THE BRAKES HARD . I TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA DEALER BUT BECAUSE THE LIGHT DOAS NOT STAY THEY CAN NOT TELL WHAT'S GOING. I LOOKED AT IT ONLINE AND…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE AT LIGHT COMING UP AND GOES IN A SECOND AND THE CAR ITS LIKE JERKING AND STOPS FOR A SECOND THE SPEED GOES DOWN SUDDENLY LIKE I JUST HIT THE BRAKES HARD . I TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA DEALER BUT BECAUSE THE LIGHT DOAS NOT STAY THEY CAN NOT TELL WHAT'S GOING. I LOOKED AT IT ONLINE AND I SAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THE MAZDA HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TCM . AFTER 3 MONTH OF DRIVING THE CARS AT THAT SAME CONDITION AND AFTER I ASK DOZENS OF MECHANICS THE LIGHT STAY ON FOR A WHILE I HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER AND IT SAYS LOST COMMUNICATION WITH THE TCM. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THAT MAZDA WILL FIX IT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MONITOR OR THE COMPUTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353990

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.