Owners filed 166 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
07100071,000 milesMedian miles at failure
124 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
22
9
0
6
Steering
20
0
0
0
Tires
12
2
0
0
Power Train
12
0
0
0
Engine
12
0
1
0
Electrical System
12
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
9
0
1
0
Service Brakes
6
1
0
2
Suspension
5
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
4
3
0
1
2 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 23, 2024CA
There’s a recal in my current steering wheel of the 2006 Mazda 3 sedan i recently purchased
Suspension
Filed Jul 31, 2023WA
The rear driver's side trailing arm broke into two pieces.
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 22, 2023IN
Im having issues with rust the car it’s getting pretty much the car it’s falling apart the under body it’s nothing but rust I’m scared of changing a tire because there’s actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it’s going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it’s falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it’s way too rust same thing with my muffler I don’t feel safe I’m My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it’s the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don’t even feel safe to change a tire
Electrical System
Filed Jan 20, 2023TX
When I take the key out of the ignition the car doesn't recognize the key is out and won't stop beeping. I can't use the key fob to lock or unlock the car. I have to use the original door key to lock and unlock or the alarm will go off. I have replace the ignition switch cylinder 2 times and it still doesnt work. There is a little bit of "play" that is keeping it from not beeping and beeping. I can take it out slowly and it will work but then it slips again and I get locked out of the car and the alarm goes off again until I use the key to manually unlock the car door.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 2, 2021FL
The contact owned a 2006 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph when the driver-side airbag deployed without warning which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle. The contact was the only injured and sought medical treatment. The contact sustained bruising on the right wrist and chest. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 30, 2021NV
This vehicle has one unrepaired recall. When I tried to make an appointment with the Mazda dealer to correct it, no recall is found after giving my VIN number. Is there any other way to have them repair it?
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 4, 2021MT
My 2006 Mazda was in a serious accident last month and my air bag did not inflate properly along with the warning logo a few days before the accident. My car was picked up and released to Geico yesterday for inspection from their at fault driver totalling my vehicle. It was a head on collision so the air bag is a big factor in a serious wreck. It was confirmed to have an active recall. The warning logo appeared on my dash right before the accident that caused a broken and dislocated hip resulting into two surgeries and a long recovery period.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 25, 2021NM
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNED A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER, WHICH FLIPPED THE VEHICLE UPSIDE DOWN AND DRAGGED THE VEHICLE FOR UNKNOWN MILES. THE CONTACT STATED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HER SON WAS HAD HIS HAND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND LOST 4 FINGERS ON HIS LEFT HAND AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE FLIPPED 5 OR 6 TIMES, IT FINALLY ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN AFTER AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. *JB SKIDDING 600 FEET, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*JB*LN
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 24, 202082,500 milesWI
I HAVE, HAD (2), TWO BRAND NEW SET, OF TIRES FROM FIRESTONE PUT ON THIS CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD ONLY THOSE TWO SETS CAN ONLY BE PUT ON THIS MAZDA 3. THE CAR KEEP BUCKING ON EVERY STREET AND EVERY ROAD. EVERY DAY AND EVENING.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 2020FL
LETTER EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING MAZDA'S RECALL FOR TAKATA AIR BAGS. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. *JS
Air Bags
Filed Aug 22, 2019NC
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, MY 2006 MAZDA IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE CARS NOTED FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE.
Air Bags
Filed Jun 10, 201980,000 milesHI
TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT HAS STAYED ON.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 8, 2019180,000 milesFL
DRIVING MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP AND JERK FROM TRANSMISSION GEAR ALSO ON REVERSE I RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAME OUT TO BE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE FROM LKQ USE, AND REPLACED AND THE CAR START WORKING FINE AGAIN THEN AFTER ABOUT ALMOST 2 YEARS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY AND THE AT LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALMOST HAVE AND ACCIDENTS THIS TIME.MY MECHANIC RUN A TEST WITH SAME RESULTS TCM NOT COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION. I RESEARCH THIS AND THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEM WITH TCM OUT THERE BUT I GUEST THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T COMPLAINT , THIS IS ISSUE THE MAZDA KNOW AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU AND HOPE THE MAZDA OPEN RECALL ON THE TCM. MAZDA 3 2006
Engine
Filed May 16, 201991,000 milesNJ
MY ENGINE HAS A SUDDEN BURST OF ACCELERATION. I HAVE TO ALWAYS BE READY TO DROP IT INTO NEUTRAL IT HAPPENS UPON THE CAR STARTING TO MOVE
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 19, 2019FL
THIS VEHICLE'S VIN CANNOT BE LOCATED IN ANY SYSTEM WHATSOEVER. NOT EVEN IN THE MAZDA DATA BASE. I NEED TO ATTEND IT'S RECALLS.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 2018162,000 milesTX
MY CAR HAS BEEN LIKE LOOSING POWER WHEN IN STUCK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT IT GAS SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. NOW WHEN I PUT GAS ON IT AND TURN IT ON IT TURNS OFF SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT MUST BE POWER STEERING PUMP GWTTING DEFECTIVE. WELL NOW IT HAS NO POWER STEERING BUT IT DOSENT SHOW THE LIGHT ON THE PANEL EITHER.
Air Bags
Filed May 13, 2018130,000 milesNJ
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ONE AND STAYS ON. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE.
Power Train
Filed Mar 25, 2018MI
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM A HIGH GEAR TO A LOW GEAR AND SHAKES VIOLENTLY
Suspension
Filed Jan 31, 2018164,360 milesIN
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I STARTED TO HEAR A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT HOME AND CHECKED IT OUT, I SAW THAT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAD BUSTED FROM WHERE IT IS BOLTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. IT HAS CRACKED ACROSS THE ENTIRE MOUNT FROM BOLT TO BOLT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER REAR SHOCK.
Seats
Filed Dec 20, 201730,000 milesFL
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.
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.