2005 Mazda Mazda3 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11660753

Incident

Dec 25, 2024

Mileage

220,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11455564

Incident

Oct 9, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11440820

Incident

Nov 17, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11438378

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11173140

Incident

Jul 27, 2006

Mileage

35,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11120621

Incident

Aug 10, 2017

Mileage

190,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10967329

Incident

Mar 11, 2017

Mileage

93,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10939288

Incident

Jun 1, 2014

Mileage

110,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10928278

Incident

Sep 1, 2016

Mileage

70,000 mi

SUDDENLY LOSS OF STEERING POWER WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID

10918962

Incident

Oct 15, 2016

Mileage

176,784 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10884187

Incident

Mar 21, 2014

Mileage

65,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10865709

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10855360

Incident

Apr 22, 2015

Mileage

129,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10851807

Incident

Oct 10, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10851805

Incident

Oct 10, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10761815

Incident

Feb 15, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10758788

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10721897

Incident

Jun 1, 2005

Mileage

10,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10715152

Incident

May 2, 2015

Mileage

125,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10702403

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID

10695155

Incident

Mar 13, 2015

Mileage

48,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS COMING AROUND A TURN AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUSE, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S RADIO WENT OFF AND STEERING LOCKED UP INTO MANUAL AND CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CAR STALLED OUT AND ENGINE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTART HAD TO ISSUES. UPON REST OF RETURN TRIP HOME, UPON THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE, THE CARS RADIO, THERMOMETER GAUGE AND GENERAL ELECTRONICS WOULD STOP AND RESET WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED AND GAS PEDAL APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680990

Incident

Feb 3, 2015

Mileage

162,844 mi

(VISIBILITY)THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH BLEW AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE EARLY MORNING THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED SO I HAD TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES THE REST OF THE WAY TO WORK IN THE DARK, RUNNING LIGHTS ONLY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS WAS APPROX. 35.00. I GUESSED A FUSE SINCE BOTH BLEW AT THE SAME TIME?? THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME. IT WAS DARK AND AGAIN I DROVE HOME WITH RUNNING LIGHTS. I THINK IT'S ODD THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME EVERY TIME. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK RIGHT. IT LOCKS UP, UNABLE TO PULL STRAP OUT TO BUCKLE UP. TOOK IT IN AND CALLED MAZDA. THEY PAID FOR REPAIR WHICH WAS QUOTED AT APPROX 89.00. ALL WAS GOOD FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I PICKED MY STEP MOM UP AND SHE WENT TO PUT HER SEATBELT ON AND IT WOULDN'T EXTEND. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND BEGIN DRIVING THE PASSENGER CAN USE THE BELT. IF WE DRIVE AND THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T COME OUT. NOT SURE IF THAT'S A COINCIDENCE OR NOT. DIDN'T HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN, WE DEAL WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678650

Incident

Feb 19, 2010

Mileage

73,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE (FORD EXPLORER) TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS MY LANE OF TRAVEL. WHILE BRAKING, MY 2005 MAZDA 3 WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR AND DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR DAMAGING BOTH IN THE PROCESS. MY VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION CROSS STREET. THIS COLLISION DAMAGED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND REAR QUARTER PANEL. AS A RESULT, 5 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED; THE FOUR DOOR CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE TORSO AIRBAG. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW GLASS. BECAUSE MY HEAD HIT THE GLASS HARD AND BOUNCED BACK I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AS WELL AS WHIPLASH ON MY NECK. IF THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN TIME, THE RESULT WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER FOR ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667083

Incident

Dec 15, 2014

Mileage

84,000 mi

I DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH LIGHT UP AS WELL. BOTH LIGHTS TURNED OFF WITHIN A WEEK, THEN FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS JUST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN SWITCHING ON AND OFF. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE LIGHT HAS RETURNED BACK ON AGAIN. I FEAR IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10659510

Incident

Aug 1, 2014

Mileage

170,000 mi