Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–97 of 97

2005 Mazda Mazda3 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 3, 201065,915 milesPR

HI, I HAVE TWO ISSUES DUE TO: ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT MAY COME ON DUE TO DAMAGED PRETENSIONER SENSOR WIRING BREAKAGE FROM ADJUSTING THE SEAT. (2005) . THIS WAS ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 30, 2010 THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE, ISSUES DUE TO A VALVE IN THE INTAKE SYSTEM JAMMING. THE DEALER MAZDA IN PONCE, PUERTO RICO, CHECK THIS ISSUES, THIS IS THE PART # LF82-18-740 VALVE,SOLE & LF70-15-170 THEY SAID TO REPAIR THOSE PARTS. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THANK YOU.

Steering
Filed Oct 19, 201053,192 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES AT 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING LOCKED TWICE. SHE WAS ABLE TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT INDICATOR SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE POWER STEERING RECALL; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,192.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 3, 2010103,000 milesGA

I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS. IN THE PAST MONTH, MY DRIVERS SEATBELT HAS BEGUN TO FAIL. THIS IS A PYROTECHNIC SEATBELT, AND HAS A SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE SEATBELT DOES NOT COMPLETELY LOCK, AND CAN BE REMOVED BY HAND. I WAS INFORMED THAT UPON A CRASH, IF THE SEATBELT WERE NOT COMPLETELY LATCHED, THE AIRBAG WOULD IN FACT NOT DEPLOY. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4-5 TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE. ALSO, WHEN THE SEATBELT FAILS TO LATCH YOU CAN NOT JUST PUSH THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE BELT. YOU MUST TUG HARDLY TO GET THE BELT TO RELEASE. MAZDA IS NOT WILLING TO WARRANTY THIS PART, AND THE NEW PART COST ALMOST $300 TO REPAIR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 24, 201065,430 milesPR

MAZDA 3 INTERNAL SENSORS GETTING STUCK AT MILEAGE FROM 35K TO 95K MAZDA AND GIVING MESSAGE AT IN DASHBOARD. IF U RESET THE COMPUTER THE CAR WORKS FINE AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF MILES UNTIL AT MESSAGE APPEARS. WHEN U TAKE THE MAZDA TO THE MAZDA CENTER THEY TELL YOU THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION IS BAD, BUT IF U TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION DEALER THEY SAY IS REVERSE SOLENOID OR FIRST SOLENOID CUS OF THE CODES. BUT FIRST AND REVERSE WORK FINE WHEN U RESET THE COMPUTER, I SEARCHED THE WEB FOR AT MESSAGE IN MAZDA 3 2004-2007 HATCHBACK OR SEDAN AND IS SAME THING. I THINK IS A MAZDA FACTORY ERROR. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 5, 201078,000 milesOH

POWER STEERING FAILURE MAZDA 3 4DR 2005 WITH 75,000 MILES PERIODIC POWER STEERING FAILURE OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD BUT BY TURNING CAR ON AND OF IT WOULD RE-SET AND WORK. MAZDA REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP FOR $1500. APPROX A MONTH LATER FAILED AGAIN WHEN I WAS 3 HOURS FROM HOME, WOULD NOT RE SET UPON A RESTART SO DROVE IT HOME W/O POWER ASSIST (NOT EASY ON A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE). DEALER APPLIED 2008 POWER STEERING FIX (REPLACE FLUID AND LINES AT NO CHARGE) AND HAS NOT RE-FAILED YET. OBVIOUSLY NOT EASY TO DRIVE W/O POWER ASSIST, AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT IS POSSIBLE IF CAREFUL BUT AROUND TOWN WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. I AM REPORTING BASED ON RECENT INQUIRY INTO LATER MODEL MAZDA'S FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Apr 5, 201067,295 milesNJ

WHEN DRIVING WATER ENTERED A SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. *TR

TiresCrash
Filed Mar 22, 201030,088 milesOH

2005 MAZDA3, FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF AIR. *BF THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK THE MEDIAN WALL. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0285-89 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 4, 201075,000 milesNY

MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND I ATTEMPTED TO PASS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SNAPPED BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY BUT IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I PURCHASED IT IN 2006. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED IN 2007 BECAUSE THIS WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY BETWEEN 2006 AND 2007. *TR

Equipment
Filed Jan 16, 2010VA

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). HELLO, I OWN A 2005 MAZDA 3. 2.3 MOTOR. I AM HAVING A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES WITH TWO MOTOR MOUNTS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TWO ARE ALREADY BROKEN. AFTER READING SEVERAL REVIEWS AND AFTER GOING TO SEVERAL AUTO MECHANICS IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THESE MOTOR MOUNTS. THE MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSE INTENSE VIBRATION WHILE SLOWING AND SPEEDING. IT IS PRETTY SCARY. I WHICH THEY WOULD NOT ONLY CALL THE PART A DEFECT BUT RECALL IT. I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE AUTO MECHANICS TELL ME THE SAME. MAZDA OF COURSE STATES IT IS NOT A HAZARD. WHEN SOMEONE'S ENGINES DROPS OUT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILING BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE I ENSURE THEY WILL READVISE THEIR JUDGMENT. [XXX]*TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2009GA

2005 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK WITH 55K MILES HAD ENGINE MOUNT CRACK. QUICK SEARCH ONLINE APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 3, 200940,000 milesCO

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, 2005 MAZDA 3S HAS HAD A SEIZED AC COMPRESSOR (NEAR FIRE) AND BLOWN PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 24, 200950,000 milesCA

2005 MAZDA3 SEDAN, PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT(#3), MOUNT CRACKED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT, CAUSING ENGINE VIBRATION, POTENTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE. PART REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 17, 200939,000 milesCO

2005 MAZDA 3S WITH ONLY 39K MILES BROKE DOWN WITH HEAVY SMOKE, NEAR FIRE, FORTUNATELY AT DIA AIRPORT. TOWED TO LOCAL DENVER MAZDA DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED A SEIZED A/C COMPRESSOR. CONTACTED MAZDA NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE, WHO COVERED THE $1K COST OF THE NEW COMPRESSOR, WITH ME PICKING UP THE LABOR. OUT OF WARRANTY, BARELY; THIS KIND OF THING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR A YOUNG VEHICLE, ORIGINAL OWNER, WITH PAMPERED PREVENTATIVE MNX PER SCHEDULE. I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT MAZDA STEPPED UP TO COMPENSATE A MAJORITY OF THE REPAIR COST. I CONTINUE TO BE VERY ANNOYED AT THE POOR BRAKE DESIGN, THAT SQUEALS MOST OF THE TIME, USING OEM PARTS, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE IN COLDER TEMPS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 20, 2009CT

AS I WAS READING IN YOUR MOST RECENT REPORT, MY SON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL UNIT WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. HE TOOK THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. BROUGHT BACK THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE DASH CLUSTER. PRIOR TO TAKING THE CAR IN THIS HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS. IS THIS REIMBURSABLE BY THE MANUFACTURER? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 29, 200952,000 milesCA

2005 MAZDA 3 AIR COMPRESSOR GOES OUT, LINES FRY UNDER HOOD AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE UNDER 60,000 MILES AND THE A/C NEVER WORKS TO MAXIMUM OUTPUT. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WHILE THEY SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, NO RECALL HAS BEEN PROPOSED, THEREFORE I WAS REDIRECTED TO THIS SITE. CONTACTED MAZDA OVER A YEAR AGO UNDER THE ADVICE OF 2 MECHANICS WHO INSISTED THIS INCIDENT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO SUCH A YOUNG CAR. THEY SAID I'M LUCKY THERE WAS NO FIRE SINCE ALL MY LINES NEARLY FRIED AND MAZDA NEEDS TO BE MADE AWARE, ESPECIALLY AFTER MY MECHANIC DID HIS OWN RESEARCH ON MY BEHALF AND SEEM TO AGREE THIS IS TOO COMMON. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING UP WITH MAZDA'S CUSTOMER CARE AND WHILE THEY ARE EMPATHETIC, THERE'S NO SOLUTION FOR ANYONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. LAST SPOKE TO JENNIFER AT MAZDA X1170 ON 6-29-29 WHO SUGGESTED I FILL OUT THIS FORM! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed May 7, 200938,000 milesMD

I PURCHASED MY 2005 MAZDA 3S DURING THE WINTER OF 2005. FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY HAD MY CAR SERVICED BY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDED SERVICING SCHEDULE. DESPITE THIS, MY REAR BRAKES SUDDENLY CEASED MONDAY. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR CALIPERS AND BRAKE LINES HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THEY MUST BE REPLACED ALONG WITH MY REAR ROTORS AND REAR BRAKE PADS - FOR $2650 (NOT INCLUDING THE TOWING FEE). MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 38,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS ALWAYS WELL-CARED FOR. IT RAISES SERIOUS RED FLAGS THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY CORRODE IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IN CARS WITH MUCH MORE MILEAGE, I'VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A HAZARDOUS MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 21, 2009CT

I OWN A 2005 MAZDA 3 . THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS ALL LIT UP (CRUISE CONTROL, ENGINE, OIL, ETC, ETC. BROUGHT CAR TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SENSOR. PAID 225.00 FOR REPAIR. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME ISSUE. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP, KEPT CAR FOR A FEW DAYS TO DIAGNOSE. CLAIM TO HAVE COME UP WITH A NEW CODE FOR FIX WHICH WAS FOR AN ADJUSTMENT COST. COST TO BE REPAIRED WAS 970.00. SHOULD THIS BE THE CASE WITH SUCH A NEW MODEL ONLY BEING 4 YEARS OLD? STILL NOT SURE THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF ISSUE, SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN THE SENSOR WAS TOLD TO BE THE PROBLEM. CAN THIS BE REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER? PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. THANK YOU! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 4, 200956,000 milesCO

WE HAVE HAD A 2005 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK FOR LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF. WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 30,000 MILES AND HAVE ADDED AROUND 26,000 MORE. REGULARLY KEEPING IT SERVICED ON OUR OWN ACCORD WITH OUT TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE THAT SEEMED TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH TIME. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND THAT ENGINE WAS FAILING (IN 2005 CAR WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT) AND THAT IT WOULD COST 7000$ FOR A NEW ENGINE. WE BELIEVED THIS TO BE A FAULTY ENGINE RATHER THAN OWNER LIABILITY. WE TRIED TO CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY WERE RUDE AND BELLIGERENT. WHEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE SUPERVISOR, SHE WAS ALSO RUDE AND UNRESPONSIVE. WHEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE AT THE COMPANY ABOVE HER, SHE DENIED US THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN TO ANYONE FURTHER. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL ENOUGH MONEY CAN BE SAVED TO FIX AN ENGINE THAT IN OUR EYES IS DEFECTIVE, AND FURTHER DEAL WITH A COMPANY THAT IS NOT VERY HELPFUL TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 13, 200856,000 milesCA

MOTOR MOUNT BROKE AND LEAKED IN 2005 MAZDA 3 5-DOOR. FIXED AT DEALERSHIP AT COST OF $220. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Sep 8, 2008NY

2005 MAZDA3 CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE A WARRANTY THAT COVERS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR 8 YRS/80,000 MILES. *NJ

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jul 3, 2008PR

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.

SteeringCrash
Filed Jun 10, 200827,500 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 28, 200867,230 milesTX

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling SystemFire
Filed May 6, 200840,000 milesIN

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

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 18, 200854,000 milesTX

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 15, 2008108,000 milesMD

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

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 18, 2008NJ

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

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Dec 4, 200736,000 milesCA

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Nov 20, 200721,000 milesNJ

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

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Nov 14, 2007FL

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

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 19, 200747,000 milesDE

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA3, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HE LEFT THE ROADWAY, BROKE THRU A FARM PROPERTY FENCE, SPUN AROUND, WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SECTION OF FENCE, THEN IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A LARGE HEMLOCK TREE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT, AND FEELS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED, BECAUSE NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, OR NEITHER OF THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE PHOTOS, THE CAR WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY.

Power Train › Driveline › Constant Velocity Joint
Filed Jul 16, 200757,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION FELL SOMEHOW AND MY LEFT DRIVESHAFT IS CRACKED. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, IN MARCH 2007, MY LEFT DRIVE AXLE WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP AFTER DRIVE AXLE BENT AND BROKE. *TR

Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash
Filed Apr 30, 20075,792 milesFL

I WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE CAR, STOPPED AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. DRIVER OF A PICK-UP TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH FAILED TO BRAKE ADEQUATELY AND SLAMMED SQUARELY INTO THE REAR OF MY 2005 MAZDA SEDAN. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED LUCKILY AS THE CAR WAS NOT FORCED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD. HOWEVER THE SEATBACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED VIOLENTLY BACKWARDS JUST AFTER MY HEAD STRUCK THE RESTRAINT BOLSTER. I AM CERTAIN THAT THE SEAT BACK WAS PROPERLY LATCHED BEFORE THE CRASH AND SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED TO HOLD IT UPRIGHT. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED THE SEATBACK LATCHING MECHANISM SEEMS TO BE WORKING, BUT NO REPAIR WORK WAS DONE TO THE SEAT. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE TO ME THAT THIS DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY WOULD WITHSTAND ANOTHER CRASH OF ANY SORT. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 15, 200730,000 milesMA

2005 MAZDA 3 WITH 30K MILES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN STALLING WHEN STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED LATER IN THE WEEK. IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS NOW AND I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I'LL GIVE DEALER ONE MORE CHANCE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM OR I'LL TRY SOMEONE ELSE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2007CA

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ON A 2005 MAZDA 3S WITH 39,000 MILES, ABOUT 30-35 MPH HAD TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, UPON ACCELERATION TO REGAIN DESIRED SPEED THE CAR STALLED, LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM, ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT THE CAR HAD LOST POWER, BY THEN I BARELY HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO PULL INTO THE MEDIAN AND TURN ON MY HAZARDS LIGHTS. TOOK A FEW TRIES TO GET THE CAR BACK ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT ALL STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MAZDA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT IS LOOKING AT THE ISSUE. *JB

Fuel System, GasolineCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 4, 200729,000 milesOH

MY WIFE SONDRA WAS STOPPED IN OUR 2005 MAZDA3 WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A 2001 MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN IT STUCK OUR CAR. OUR CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, INJURIES WERE, 8 STITCHES TO THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE, BACK AND NECK INJURIES, SHE IS UNDER GOING THERAPY AND IS WAITING FOR MORE TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE REASON THAT I AM CONTACTING YOU IS BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SAFETY THAT FAILED. 1. THE DRIVERS SEATBACK BROKE DURING IMPACT. 2. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN SHE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF HER. 3. THE EMERGENCY SWITCH THAT SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED FROM ALL THE DAMAGE, THE CAR IS VALUED AT $ 18,700.00. I EMAILED MAZDA APPROX. 10 DAYS AGO ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 13, 200623,000 milesCA

SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 3 IN 2005 I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES & THE ROTORS. THIS CAR WAS ALWAYS AT MAZDA FOR SOMETHING. THEN IN JULY, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER WENT OUT ON THE CAR,I LOST ALL BRAKES & STEERING & RAN INTO A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT & ONCE AGAIN THE CAR STALLED ON ME. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA & LET THEM KNOW THE PROBLEM & AFTER 4 DAYS & DRIVING THE CAR A TOTAL OF 9 MILES THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR & THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING WHEN THEY DROVE IT. I JUST HAD A DAMAGED RIM AND NEEDED THE CAR RE-ALIGNED. WHEN I WENT TO GET THE CAR I WAS VERY UPSET AT THE COST I HAD TO PAY WHEN THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. THE CASHIER CALLED THE MANAGER & I EXPLAINED EVERYTHING TO HIM. HE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THIS & SAID THAT IF I WAS HIS WIFE HE WOULD NOT PUT ME BACK INTO THIS VEHICLE & PUT ME IN A RENTAL FOR THE WEEKEND. ON MON. HE CALLED & SAID HE DROVE IT PERSONALLY & HE TOO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG SO HE SAID TO COME PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THEN ON TUES,AUG. 22, 2006 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I TURNED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON (KEEP IN MIND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I HAD THEM CHANGE THE WIPER BLADES) & THE RT WINDSHIELD WIPER FLEW OFF MY CAR. I GOT OUT & PUT IT BACK ON AND IT CAME OFF AGAIN. AFTER WORK MY BOSS SAID THE WIPER WAS BROKEN & THREW IT IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. WE THEN LEFT WORK. ABOUT 3 MINS LATER I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH

Engine and Engine CoolingCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 6, 200620,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, ALL POWER FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED TO THE LEFT INTO TRAFFIC ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE FIRST THREE OCCASIONS, BUT DIAGNOSTICS FAILED TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. ON THE 4TH OCCASION WHEN THE POWER FAILED, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND POLICE RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER ALONG WITH BRUISING TO THE UPPER BODY. SEATBELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY THE CONTACT. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - *NM

Electrical System
Filed Jul 19, 200625,908 milesWA

2005 MAZDA 3S WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE MAIN RELAY AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP & GAUGE TWICE BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *KB THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MAZDA TECH SUPPORT WAS CALLED AND THE THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE FUEL CANISTER. IT WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 22, 2006. *NM

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Apr 3, 20065,000 milesTX

HI I HAVE A MAZDA 3S 4 DR SEDAN BUILD DATE MARCH-2005 THE AC IN THIS CAR IS NON FUNCTIONAL AND DOES NOT WORK THERE ARE LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE SAME CAR OVER THE INTERNET AND LOOKS LIKE DEALERS AS WELL AS MAZDA IS NOT TAKING A NOTE OF IT I WENT TO DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND AFTER THEIR TESTING THEY TOLD ME THAT AC IS WORKING NORMAL WHICH IS NOT CORRECT. *NM

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Mar 24, 2006WA

IN ADEQUATE AIR CONDITIONING COOLING COMPRESSOR CYCLES ON FOR ONLY 10 SECONDS REGARDLESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. DEALERS/MAZDA HQ DENIES ANY ISSUE. *JB

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Mar 23, 2006500 milesCA

THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT COLD. MY DEALER REPLACED MY EVAPORATOR AND IT IS STILL THE SAME. BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THE A/C IN SPEC. 40- 45C. *JB

Steering › Column
Filed Jan 19, 2006NJ

TICKING / CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN / DASHBOARDS AREA. NOT NECESSARILY WHEN ON ROUGH ROAD, BUT THAT SEEMS TO MAGNIFY IT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AWARE OF, AND HEARD NOISE BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT PROBLEM. HEAD OF SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFERRED ME TO MAZDA NORTH AMERICA FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. NOT CORRECTED AS OF 1/06. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Dec 27, 200511,050 milesPA

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR THE FOURTH TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM FOUND BY US, WAS GAS CAP LOOSENED UP AND WAS JUST SITTING IN THERE, WHEN WE WALKED TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET PACKAGES OUT OF THE TRUCK, SMELLED GAS. HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERY TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ONE TIME THEY TOLD ME THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE AND I INSISTED I PUT IT ON TIGHT. OF COURSE, I AM A FEMALE AND THEY TRY TO MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT, SO I DIDN'T BELIEVE THEM, THOUGHT THEY WERE JUST SAYING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND RESETTING THE CODE, SO IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN WE SMELLED THE GAS AND CHECKED THE CAP AND IT WAS LOOSE. WE HAD ALREADY RUN HALF A TANK OF GAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES SINCE FILL-UP. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, IT IS ALWAYS FOR THE SAME CODE, WHICH IS AN EMISSIONS FAILURE. *JB

Visibility
Filed Oct 14, 2005NJ

CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD WHEN MAKING TURNS OR DOWN INCLINES. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD BECAME DARK ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A DIP FROM THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD TO BEND HIS HEAD DOWN UNDER THE BLACKNESS OF THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE AHEAD. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 29, 20052,000 milesNJ

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 2005 MAZDA DIED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-15 MPH. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND. IT HAPPENED ON 8-5-05. RIGHT BEFORE VEHICLE DIED SEVERAL LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT SHE DID NOT KNOW WIHICH ONES. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE WAS GOING TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Parking BrakeCrash
Filed Apr 18, 2005CA

OWNER PARKED VEHICLE ON SLIGHT (20%) INCLINE AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKES. VEHICLE PARKED FOR 15 MINUTES WHEN OWNER, STANDING NEXT TO VEHICLE, HEARD CREAKING NOISES. AFTER THE NOISE STOPPED VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD, AND HIT A TREE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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