2005 Mazda Mazda3

Routine

Owners filed 97 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
65,915 milesMedian miles at failure

77 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags20
708
Steering13
200
Electrical System9
110
Engine and Engine Cooling7
101
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System4
010
Engine4
000
Exterior Lighting3
010
Visibility2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal21V494000
Filed Jul 1, 2021260,915 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment09E011000
Filed Apr 2, 20092,323 vehiclesThule, Inc.

Defect. THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive04V559000
Filed Nov 22, 20042 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 13, 2025220,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, other individuals informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clock spring was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 7, 2022CO

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V494000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 17, 2021OH

Randomly, the parking lights, tail lights, and climate control lighting will fail. This has happened to me multiple times over a number of years. Striking the right side of the center console will generally result in functionality being restored. Sometimes, simply turning the lights off and then on again results in the failure as well. My assumption, based on online forums where others have had the same issues, is that the Passenger Junction Box (PJB) is faulty. Striking the center console send vibrations to the PJB, resulting in it (usually) to start working again. While I do not regularly drive the vehicle at night, my concern is that without working tail lights, I could be involved in an accident OR be ticketed for my lights not working. Others online have had the same issues, and I believe it may be an issue in multiple vehicle models and model years.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 27, 2021CA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V494000 (Air Bags) however, the contact was unable to contact reach the manufacturer or the local dealer for the recall repair. The contact called the number to the local dealer and the manufacturer but was unable to schedule an appointment for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair and had made it very difficult to resolve the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Invalid VIN.

Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 201935,000 milesNC

TIRES FEATHER OR CUP IN LESS THAN 25000 MILES DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL FACTORY CAMBER TIRE MANUFACTURERS DO NOT RECOMMEND AGGRESSIVE CAMBER AND WILL NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. MAZDA AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS KNOW THAT THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR FASTER SINCE THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. THE FEATHERING DRASTICALLY AFFECT HANDLING ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER. TIRE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD STATE THE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE CAMBER FOR THEIR TIRES AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD CHOOSE APPROPRIATELY DESIGN TIRES FOR THIS APPLICATION. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT HAPPENS WITH FACTORY RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT SPECS. THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER IMPROVES HANDLING BUT TIRES ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. IF THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT BACK THE TIRE FOR THIS APPLICATION THEN THE CAR MANUFACTURER HAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED THE SUSPENSION FOR PASSENGER CARS. THIS IS THE 3S MODEL WITH ONLY 135000 MILES AND 5TH SET OF TIRES AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED EACH TIME.

Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2018190,000 milesMI

ENGINE FAILED ENTIRELY DURING ROUTINE HIGHWAY DRIVING, VEHICLE LOST FORWARD PROPULSION, EVENTUALLY COMING TO COMPLETE STOP ON THE ROAD. THERE WERE ZERO WARNING OR ANY NOTICE AT ALL THAT THE ENGINE WAS DYING. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR OVER 1 HOUR, WHILE HELP ARRIVED.

Steering
Filed Mar 20, 201793,000 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND SOMETIMES SHUTS THE CAR DOWN. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ,MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE..ANOTHER INSTANCE , I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THIS TIME THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN FORCING ME TO QUICKLY TRY TO RESTART THE ENGINE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2017110,000 milesCA

I DRIVE A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3 SP23I, FOUR-DOOR SEDAN. A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHILE PARKED IN THE STREET, MY SON HAD RECLINED THE PASSENGER SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK AND WHEN I ASKED HIM TO RETURN IT INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION, A RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS NEVER GONE OFF SINCE AND I AM FEARFUL THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

Power Train
Filed Nov 28, 201670,000 milesMI

VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNLESS KEY IS ON PUT INTO NEUTRAL THEN STARTS. SOMETIMES GREEN P LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT UP.

Steering
Filed Oct 26, 2016176,784 milesCA

SUDDENLY LOSS OF STEERING POWER WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 12, 201665,000 milesNJ

WE WERE IN A FEW ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THE CAR DOES NOT STAY IN PARK WE MUST USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR BECAUSE WHEN WE TURN IT OFF THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE AND AS WE DRIVE THE CAR THE CAR WILL TURN OFF RIGHT THERE. SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING ON DRIVER SIDE.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 18, 2016150,000 milesNJ

THE CAR SHIFTS COMPLETELY WRONG WHEN IT IS GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. SOMETIMES ITS SHIFTS REALLY HARD GOING BETWEEN THE TWO GEARS ALSO. IT KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE THE GEARS ARE GOING TO SLIP. ITS EVEN WORSE WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD OUT. IT JUMPS TO 3RD GEAR AT 15-20 MPH SOMETIMES ALSO. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR.

Suspension
Filed Apr 13, 2016129,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND GOING OVER A BUMP, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO STOP THE SHAKING AND RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD TO BE PLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2016130,000 milesUT

THE RED AIRBAG SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD, AT FIRST WOULD COME ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, BUT NOW IT'S ON EVERYTIME I OPERATE THE VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL EITHER NOT DEPLOY OR DEPLOY INCORRECTLY. I'VE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS AND IT IS A WELL KNOWN AND PREVALENT ISSUE. IT IS NOT RELATED TO ANY EVENT, OTHER THAN NORMAL DRIVING AND OPERATION.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2016130,000 milesUT

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AS THE SAME ISSUE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON, HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED IN CERTAIN VIN#S AND APPARENTLY NEEDS EXPANDING. PLEASE REFERENCE MAZDA RECALL #2504K OR NHTSA RECALL # 04V559. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT STAYS ON WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING, IT IS ON AT ALL TIMES THE VEHICLE IS ON AND IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY EVENT.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 5, 2015140,000 milesRI

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2015. I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND. MY LEFT REAR DOOR WAS HIT BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. I THOUGH NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE I THOUGH THE IMPACT NEEDED TO BE HARDER. THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. TODAY ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 AROUND 2:20PM, I WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING FOR SOME VEHICLES TO TURN. 5 SECONDS LATER, I WAS HIT FROM THE BACK. THE IMPACT WAS VERY HARD SENDING MY GIRLFRIEND AND I TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAD THE SAME RESORT WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. LUCKY FOR ME, I ALWAYS WEAR MY SEATBELT BECAUSE IF I HAVE NOT. I WOULD OF BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY HURT OR DEAD.

Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2015100,000 milesGA

DRIVING AND STEERING LIGHT COMES ON,THEN HARD TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT.TURN SWITCH OFF AND RIGHT BACK ON LIGHT GOES OFF AND STEERING RETURNS....VERY DANGEROUS

Air Bags
Filed May 28, 201510,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V559000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Engine
Filed May 7, 2015125,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2015MD

I HAD DONE MY OIL CHANGE ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I FELT MY CAR RUNNING DIFFERENT, WHEN I BRAKE AND TOOK A RIGHT TURN, AND THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CAME ON, I CHECKED AND THE AMOUNT OF OIL IN MY CAR WAS MINIMUM, THE CAR HAS NO LEAKS AND I HAD CHECKED THAT WITH A MECHANIC, SO THE CAR IS BURNING OIL.. I HAD BEEN TALKING TO MANY MECHANICS AND PEOPLE FROM AUTO PART STORES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MY ENGINE, AND THEY SAY THAT MANY, IF NOT ALL OF THEM MAZDA3 CARS FROM THIS YEAR HAVE THAT PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM IS FROM THE WAY IT IS MANUFACTURED. *TR

20 of 97 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20257100Routine
202412300Routine
202312021Fatalities reported
202224000Routine
202149120Routine
202032200Routine
201974600Routine
2018108401Fatalities reported
201783200Routine
2016104610Do not drive
2015130420Do not drive
2014138410Routine
2013117120Routine
2012226110Above average
2011132220Routine
2010686350Above average
2009115410Routine
2008303310Above average
2007222330Above average
2006166230Routine
2005 — this page97330Routine
2004145320Routine

Compare every Mazda3 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 1, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.