KnownCarProblems2010 Mazda Mazda3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 686 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, most often about the body and structure (25% of complaints, typically around 49,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Mazda3 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2010 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Body and structure
169 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
For about a year now I have been noticing that my dashboard has been melting. It has gotten successively worse to the point now that the melting dashboard is reflecting on the windshield. The reflection has gotten so bad during the day when the sun is out that the visibility is greatly impaired. My son was driving the…
Dashboard is melting and causing glare on windshield. Continues to get progressively worse with the heat. Visibility getting worse as well.
Other or unspecified
133 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
My dashboard is melting. When I rub my finger on it black residue easily comes off. If you press down with your finger it is very easy to take chunks off with your nail. The gooey dashboard is shiny which emits a reflection on the windshield which then in turn impairs my vision. This can be very dangerous as one…
Dash has become sticky and appears to be slowly melting to the point it cannot be cleaned. It is a safety issue in that it causes a glare on the windshield that obstructs clear vision to oncoming traffic.
Visibility and wipers
109 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Bought this car used in june 2013, and noticed in november of 2013 it started to become sticky on the dashboard as if it is melting.. Didnt really become an issue until it began to glare into my windshield causing me to be unable to see. I cannot clean, or touch any part of the dashboard because it is so melted and…
I have a 2010 Mazda3 I-sport model. After coming back from a two week vacation, I found my dashboard to become sticky and, while under direct sunlight, will emit a glare onto the windshield that greatly reduces visibility. It appears as if it is melting. The problem is most apparent close to the windshield, but has…
Seats
106 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
Entered the vehicle to go to work. Sat down in the driver's seat, immediately heard a pop and the seat became unsteady (wobbly). After work I looked at the bottom of the seat and saw that a weld broke loose from a bar that stabilizes the seat. It is very disconcerting to the driver while operating the vehicle and may…
While driving my Mazda3, came to a stop, upon accelerating my seat began to rock slightly, about a week or so later, came to a stop and upon accelerating my whole seat rocked backwards, to the point I could no longer reach the pedals. Took the car into the dealership and was told the welds that attach the seat to the…
Wheels and tires
75 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve, rim.
Tire pressure monitoring system sensor failed causing the tire to blowout and go flat on the highway. The stem of the sensor was corroded which caused the incident.
My tire pressure light was on, I stopped at the gas station to put some air in and as I removed the plastic valve cap the valve cracked and broke off leaving me with a flat tire.
Electrical
50 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, 12v/24v/48v battery, software, instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v126000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Vehicle lost power multiple times shuddering on the road. Faulty wiring harness was discovered by the dealership. This issue was present on previously produced Mazda 3s for the year but the dealership stated that this particular VIN didn't fall into the production numbers for the recall. This issue seems to be present…
Transmission
40 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, driveline.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact engaged the clutch and felt an unusual pop under her foot. She stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormal increase in engine rpms as if she were attempting to drive while in neutral. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer…
Clutch gave out at 33,000 miles. That is absurd. Mazda claims its under their "wear and tear" but this is not a new problem for a lot of people. Premature clutch failure should have been a recall on Mazda 3's back in 2011.
Brakes
38 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles.
The car will intermittently not shift out of park due to the shift lock not releasing properly, and the stop lights and horn are not functioning properly as well. This seams to be typical of the Mazda3's due to the horn shorting the fuse and the brake switch going bad, and definitely makes the car more accident prone.…
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. While driving 60 MPH, the ABS sensor traction control and brake light indicators illuminated without warning. Pearson Mazda of henrico, va 23294 was made aware of the issue and stated that the ABS hydraulic control unit was faulty and could cause a future loss of braking function. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
Seats
Risk: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began april 7, 2017. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917b.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2011 mazda2 and 2010-2011 mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.
Body and structure: hatchback/liftgate
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began april 2017. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916h.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured november 18, 2008, to june 8, 2013, 2012-2015 mazda5 vehicles manufactured october 26, 2010, to june 22, 2015, 2016 cx-3 vehicles manufactured june 1, 2015, to december 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 cx-5 vehicles manufactured december 15, 2011, to december 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: The main fuse may blow out causing the engine to stall and inability of restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will have the engine harness inspect and add a protector clip on the affected section of the harness. If necessary, the harness will be repaired. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on may 6, 2009. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling 25,400 my 2010 mazda3 vehicles. A clearance between the engine harness and the housing of starter motor may be insufficient. Due to this, the covering of the harness may be damaged through vibration during operation possibly causing a short-circuit between certain harness wires and the starter housing. A short-circuit can result in engine control malfunction and/or poor shift quality.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2010 Mazda Mazda3
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mazda Mazda3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (169 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles); other or unspecified (133 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles); visibility and wipers (109 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda Mazda3 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 9, 2017 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Mazda Mazda3?
- It is the most complained-about Mazda3 model year since 2000, with 686 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.