RoadVitals

2006 Mazda Mazda3 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jan 20, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 166 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Mazda Mazda3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jan 20, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11502890
Incident
Jan 1, 2023
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 9, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11139236
Incident
Oct 3, 2018
Mileage
162,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 13, 2016

CAR WON'T START DUE TO CORROSION ON STARTER WIRE HARNESS. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WILL START BUT EVEN AFTER HAVING THE CORROSION CLEANED OFF THE WIRES, IT STILL WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME

NHTSA ID
10884613
Incident
Jul 12, 2016
Mileage
146,533 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 24, 2016

PART 2 -(CONT.) RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). LETTERS FROM MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER PROVIDING NECESSARY REPAIR INFORMATION ETC. I AM ADDING THESE COMPLAINTS TO MY EXISTING COMPLAINT, AS DURING MY INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, DATED 8/24/15, I FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU, IT STATES HOW MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IS IN THE WRONG POSITION, WHICH I HAD TO DECLINE TO HAVE FIXED, AS I AM FINANCIALLY UNAVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED AND COVERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE ALARMING ABOVE-MENTIONED E-MAILS I HAD RECEIVED AND BELIEVE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE CLEARLY RELATED. AND 3. (PART 1) RE: UNKNOWN/OR OTHER: AS A RESULT OF HAVING MY POWER STEERING ISSUE REPAIRED (INITIAL COMPLAINT), I WAS TOLD AFTER THE REPAIR BY A MR. CARLETON AT LIBERTY MAZDA, WAKEFIELD, MA, THAT WHEN MY RIGHT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL IS TURNED ON, IT NOW CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS EXTREMELY FAST (CODE B2899 RT DIRECTIONAL - EST FOR DIRECTIONAL WIRING TO JUST START TO LOCATE THE ISSUE IS LISTED ON THE SUBMITTED DIAGNOSTIC REPORT IS $220.00) BUT THAT IT SHOULDN'T EFFECT ME GETTING A NEW CAR INSPECTION STICKER OR ANYTHING, SO I HAD TO DECLINE FIXING DUE TO COST. (THIS ISSUE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AS WELL, THAT I HAVE FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU.) I AM ALSO UNABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED AS WELL, AND FOR THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST AT ALL BEFORE I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING FIXED AND THIS ISSUE APPEARED AFTER THAT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN FULL AND FIXED BY MANUFACTURER; 3. (PART 2.) CONTINUOUS ISSUE BEGINNING ROUGHLY 3-4 WEEKS OF PURCHASE (BOUGHT BRAND NEW, NOT USED): CLOCK IN VEHICLE IS SET TO THE PROPER TIME, BUT WILL ONLY LAST A MONTH MAYBE AT VERY MOST BEFORE IT CHANGES AUTO AND DISPLAYS A RANDOM TIME.

NHTSA ID
10838057
Incident
Aug 21, 2015
Mileage
35,180 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10821171
Incident
Dec 12, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 18, 2014

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ,LOST POWER CANT TURN THE WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10667143
Incident
Dec 4, 2014
Mileage
71,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 1, 2013

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I AM HAVING A PROBLEM. IT STARTED BY THE CAR NOT STARTING, THEN IT WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. BATTERY WAS NOT LOW, FLUIDS WERE PERFECT, EVERYTHING WAS TESTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. BUT THERE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. NOW, THE CAR STARTS BUT I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK AND THE LETTERS DON'T LIGHT UP WHEN I SHIFT GEARS. IT'S A SECURITY PROBLEM I BELIEVE BUT THERE ARE NOT MANY MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO LONG. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550576
Incident
Nov 1, 2013
Mileage
71,290 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 8, 2012

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 101N, I SAW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. STEERING WHEEL FELT STIFF AND I HAVE TO FIGHT IT TO KEEP THE CAR IN CONTROL WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN AT 45MI/HR. I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE OVER 20 TIME NOW. ON 12/7/12 THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SO MANY TIMES THAT I HAD TO PARK MY CAR AT A RANDOM SHOPPING CENTER AND HAVE A FRIEND PICK ME UP. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT A SIMILAR ISSUE AS THE 07-9 MODEL, SO THEY HAVE TO CHARGE ME A $150 DIAGNOSTICS FEE. I AM CURRENTLY AT 94,385 MILES AND MY EXTENDED COVERAGE ALSO EXPIRED. BASED ON MY RESEARCH IT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO 1700-2000. I'M NOT SURE IF MAZDA GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT ID LIKE MY VOICE TO BE HEARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487752
Incident
Jul 6, 2012
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jun 4, 2012

FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY SHUTS OFF, AND THE RADIO/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY AS WELL. ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE ALSO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY (FOR ABOUT ONE FULL SECOND). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I FEEL A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT A RECALL, AND THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE 2007 MODEL OF MAZDA 3S, BUT THE 2006 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460534
Incident
May 14, 2012
Mileage
129,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 13, 2012

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES. WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE RADIO WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES UP ON THE DASH, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. SOMETIMES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THEN DOESN'T SHUT OFF. IT WASN'T TOO FREQUENT AT FIRST, BUT ON SOME DAYS, IT WILL HAPPEN EVERYTIME I DRIVE SOMEWHERE. IT USUALLY OCCURS EARLY IN THE DRIVE. ONCE I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART, IT USUALLY RESETS AND MY CAR IS FINE. I HAVE SEEN THE RECALLS FOR THE 2007 MAZDA 3 MODELS, BUT I THINK MY CAR SHOULD ALSO BELONG IN THIS TOO. PLEASE HELP. THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10447797
Incident
Oct 3, 2011
Mileage
53,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 2, 2010

STARTER ON MY 2006 MAZDA 3 WILL NOT CRANK OR START INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS HAPPEN FIVE OR SIX TIMES OVER THE 4 AND HALF YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD IT. STARTED ONLY AFTER BEING JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HAVE SEEN TWO BULLETINS THAT WERE ISSUED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING AFTER OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN FIXED. LUCKILY I HAVE BEEN NEAR HOME WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING. IT HAPPEN AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MILES AND PARK FOR TEN MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369012
Incident
Nov 24, 2010
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 4, 2010

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS CAR HAS REFUSED TO START. THE "FIX" WAS DONE BY MAZDA OVER THE PAST SUMMER DUE TO A CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STARTER. THIS TIME IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE GETTING STUCK IN FREEZING WEATHER, ICY CONDITIONS, OR A BAD PART OF TOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND OUTLINES IT IN A SERVICE BULLETIN 01-037/08. SHOULD WOMEN OR CHILDREN, OR ANYONE ELSE BE STRANDED AND HARMED IN ANY WAY BY THIS KNOWN DEFECT, I HOPE MAZDA IS LIABLE FOR NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10364808
Incident
Nov 4, 2010
Mileage
34,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 10, 2010

MOTOR WILL NOT CRANK AND ENGINE DOES NOT START, INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10354866
Incident
Sep 9, 2010
Mileage
104,232 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 20, 2010

FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER FLICKERS ON AND OFF ON SETTINGS 1, 2 AND 3. SO IT IS CONSTANTLY SWITCHING OFF. SECOND THE CD PLAYER WILL NOT ACCEPT OR PLAY CDS, IT JUST SAYS CHECK DISC AND EJECTS THE DISC. THE CLOCK CHANGES TIME OCCASIONALLY TOO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10344213
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Electrical
Filed Feb 9, 2010

CAR WAS DRIVING AS NORMAL. NOTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. WENT TO GO START UP THE CAR ONE MORNING TO GO TO WORK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT WAS NOT LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. I TURNED THE KEY, NOTHING HAPPENED. NO STARTER MOTOR GOING, NO CLICKING NOISE...JUST GOT NOTHING. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE COMPUTER THEY ATTACH TO MY CAR WAS GETTING NO READINGS - THERE WAS THE PROBLEM. MY ECU HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ECU. THANKFULLY I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THAT SAVED ME $1100+. BUT I'M AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN ONCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308093
Incident
Dec 2, 2009
Mileage
83,568 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 22, 2007
Crash reportedFire reported

2006 MAZDA 3 DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP SHORT-CIRCUITED RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL FIRE IMMEDIATELY AFTER MINOR COLLISION. FIRE QUICKLY STARTED TO SPREAD DAMAGING RADIATOR SUPPORT AND FUSE BOX. PARTS REPLACED IN BODY SHOP. BODY SHOP SAID THESE CARS TEND TO CATCH FIRE WHEN COLLIDING IN THAT SPECIFIC AREA. *JB

NHTSA ID
10203693
Incident
Jul 25, 2007
Mileage
24,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 3, 2007

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL POORLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A FLASHLIGHT TO SEE THE PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY WER UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186927
Incident
Apr 3, 2006
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2007

I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO MY MAZDA3 THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO YOUR CERTIFIED MAZDA REPAIR CENTER 5 (FIVE) TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS OF REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE SAFETY AND VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SITUATION RESOLVED AT ONCE SO THAT I CAN GO ON WITH MY LIFE WITHOUT THE WORRY OF PAYING FOR A LEMON CAR AND STOP HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND IN A RENTAL CAR THAT IS LESS FUEL EFFICIENT AND LESS COMFORTABLE THAN MY CAR. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR REASONS I REQUESTED SERVICE FOR MY CAR: 1. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. 2. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON AN ONCOMING RAMP OF RT. 202 TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD HARDLY PULL THE CAR OVER BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TOO HEAVY TO OPERATE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. 3. ANOTHER MAJOR REASON FOR MY SAFETY WORRIES IS THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON CONSTANTLY. AFTER AN EXPERT VISIT, I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE GETTING A NEW CAR. 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE PAPERWORK PROCESSES WAS COMPLETED A NEW CAR WAS READY FOR ME TO PICK UP, SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I HAD TO PAY $2,300 IN ORDER TO TAKE THE NEW CAR. THEN THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD BY YOU ON THE PHONE THAT THE DEAL WAS CANCELLED BY MAZDA BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THIS UNFAIR RESOLUTION. THEN THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP PERSONALLY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO PURCHASE MY CAR, SELL IT TO ANOTHER CONSUMER AND THEN SELL ME A NEW CAR. THERE ARE TWO THINGS UNETHICAL ABOUT THIS: 1. YOU CANNOT SELL A CAR WITH SAFETY DEFECTS TO ANOTHER CONSUMER. 2. YOU CANNOT LEAVE ME WITH NO OPTION BUT TO TRADE IN MY CAR AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR WHEN THIS CAR IS A LEMON. BASED ON THE PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL DESCRIPTION MY CAR IS A LEMON CAR. I FEEL THAT I HAVE DONE ALL THAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE IN THIS MATTER AND HAVE YET TO SEE ANY RESULTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182231
Incident
Dec 12, 2006
Electrical
Filed Aug 24, 2006

AFTER USING AN EXTERNAL GPS 2-3 WEEKS AGO, THE CLOCK, REMOTE LOCKS, RADIO, AND OUTDOOR TEMP. GAUGE FAILED. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN THE DEALER 'COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM.' THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS OCCURRED NO EXTERNAL DEVICES WERE USED. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL OR SERVICE ADVISORY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166486
Incident
Aug 24, 2006
Mileage
12,500 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 18, 2006

THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY PANEL IS VERY POOR-TO READ IT REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD TOO LONG WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD MY DEALER RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT STATES THERE IS NO "FACTORY BULLETIN" TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10162766
Incident
Feb 25, 2006
Mileage
426 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2006

I AM THE OWNER OF A MAZDA 3 2006. BOUGHT THE CAR 1 MONTH AGO AND JUST TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SIMPLY STOP WHILE IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SIMPLY CRASHED AND A NEW ONE NEEDS TO BE ORDER. WHEN I ASK THE REASON FOR THE COMPUTER CRASH, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HOT. HIGHEST TEMPERATURE REACHED THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WAS 90 DEGREES. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO EXPLAIN CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND TO REQUEST A VEHICLE EXCHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INCIDENT NEEDS TO OCCUR MORE THAN ONCE TO BE CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10160294
Incident
Jun 18, 2006
Mileage
2,046 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .