RoadVitals

2010 Mazda Mazda3 Interior & seats Problems

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

Data refreshed

Interior & seats 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.
112
Latest Sep 24, 2025
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.
16%
of 686 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Mazda Mazda3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 112 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 interior

The 25 most recent of 112, in the owner's own words

Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Sep 24, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11689499
Incident
Aug 29, 2025
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 18, 2025

This vehicle is subject to recall #: 17V-082 referring to a drivers seat lifter link than can break. My car has a broken lifter link, was brought to the dealership and instead of replacing the entire seat adjuster unit like the recall states, they simply installed a reinforcement bracket. When brought back to Med Center Mazda they state it has already been repaired and therefore cannot be repaired again. The vehicle still has a broken seat lifter link.

NHTSA ID
11643478
Incident
Feb 18, 2025
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 2, 2023

Monday 7/10/2023 car was fine ie (the seat) next day Tues 7/11/2023 opened drivers side door couldn’t believe my eyes. The driver seat had somehow migrated clear up to an inch from my chest to the steering wheel. I called Maple Shade Turnersville to make an appointment-wasn’t able to get in until 7/20/2023. I was told I had to return on 7/24/2023. Did that. Appt was 7:30AM. Was given a loaner car. At around 10:30 Am Mazda Tuenersville called to ask me to return the loaner (?). When I arrived Pat Kearny told me he couldn’t do anything to help with the car seat. Told me my car was too old that they didn’t make parts for my 2010 Mazda 3 for the already recalled seat problems. Now I’m in a big bind. My steering wheel is one inch from my chest. I am very upset what happened here.

NHTSA ID
11536183
Incident
Jul 11, 2023
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jul 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated upon opening the driver's side door, she noticed that the front driver's side seat had independently moved closer to the steering wheel. The contact stated that the seat failed to move back to the original position after several attempts. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to squeeze herself into the seat and drove to the dealer, who informed the contact that the driver's side seat bolts needed to be broken to move the seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082000 (Seats); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ID
11534324
Incident
Jul 10, 2023
Mileage
61,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that overtime the dashboard had become glossy and sticky due to excessive heat. The contact also stated that on sunny days, the sun would reflect off the glossy surface and would obstruct her vision while driving. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and they informed her that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was informed that unless she had received a notification that her vehicle was under recall or warranty, no assistance could be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11428399
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 16, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR PLASTIC ON THE DASHBOARD WAS DEGRADING, CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO BECOME REFLECTIVE AND PRODUCING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPAIRED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11396470
Incident
Feb 15, 2021
Mileage
95,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 21, 2020

I BELIEVE THAT (RECALL CAMPAIGN 0917B) SAFETY RECALL APPLIES TO MY 2010 MAZDA3 GT, ALTHOUGH IT TOOK OVER 2.5 YEARS TO OCCUR (AUGUST 2017) THE COMPLETE FALLOUTS DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL NOW...(DECEMBER 2020) INITIALLY, FELT A POP IN MY BACK (FROM THE FRAME?) WHILE I WAS DRIVING, PULLED OVER AND THE SEATS MOVED FINE SO DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF. MEANWHILE, A DISTINCT RATTLING OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY BEHIND ME. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (PAID THEIR SPECIAL SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF ($165+) WITH 'MASTER TECHNICIANS' WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS SEAT RECALL, YET, FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT OR EVEN LOOKED IF YOU ASK ME, YET WANTED ME TO CORRECT THE NOISE BY BY INSTALLING BOTH FRONT AND REAR NEW SUSPENSION (~$1000). TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SUSPENSION SPECIALIST AND FOUND ONLY ONE (1) PART OF THE SUSPENSION THAT MAY HAVE REQUIRED CORRECTING BUT WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. I ASKED IF THE REMAINING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE SAFE AND IF THEY WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. AND THEY SAID'NO' ONLY ONE (1), AND IT WAS BARELY DAMAGED, BUT I REPLACED IT ANYWAY. TOOK IT BACK FOR AN OIL CHANGE SINCE THEY WERE TREATING ME HONESTLY. TWO DAYS LATER, AS I WAS LEAVING MY WORK, THE SEAT FELL OFF THE RIGHT RAIL AS I WAS DRIVING. IN RETROSPECT, THE PUSH NUTS ON THE RIGHT SIDE POPPED OFF AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FRAME HAS LOST ITS INTEGRITY, SO I SAT ASKEW. UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY UNLESS A PIECE OF WOOD IS HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE RAIL. IS IT POSSIBLE TO STILL REPAIR MY CAR'S DRIVER'S SEAT UNDER THE AFOREMENTIONED SAFETY RECALL? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING AND AM WITHOUT OPTIONS AT THIS TIME. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ID
11384331
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
Mileage
166,019 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 18, 2020

THERE WAS A POP I FELT IN MY BACK AS I WAS DRIVING (JULY 2017) I NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. DUE TO MY WORK, I HAD MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANY DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE HAD MY DASH REPLACED (WESCOTT, NATIONAL CITY, CA) BUT NO ONE MENTIONED THE SEAT PROBLEM THAT I CAN RECALL. NOW IT IS DECEMBER 2020 AND THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT HAS BROKEN? WHILE DRIVING I SIT ASKEW THE RIGHT HALF OF MY BODY IS LOWER THAN THE OTHER. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER SEAT WHEN THIS WAS AN ACTIVE RECALL NO MATTER THE DELAY.

NHTSA ID
11384041
Incident
Jul 13, 2017
Mileage
115,500 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 14, 2020

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS YOU CAN DO IT SO IT CAN BE FIX AND DRIVE RIGHT AND I YOU CAN COME AND GET IT AND I NEED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL MY IS FIX

NHTSA ID
11349152
Incident
Aug 3, 2020
Mileage
121,413 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 13, 2020

EVERYTHING NEED'S TO BE REPAIR ON IT ASAP AS YOU CAN DO IT SO THE CAR CAN BE FIX

NHTSA ID
11349144
Incident
Jul 24, 2020
Mileage
121,314 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 20, 2020

THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE FRAME OR SOMETHING, ROCKS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR.

NHTSA ID
11340461
Incident
May 22, 2020
Mileage
95,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 2, 2020

MY DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO CLEAN AND HAS A CONSTANT VERY BAD GLARE THAT WONT GO AWAY, AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT TIMES. IT'S ALMOST AS IF ITS MELTING. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT AROUND 2 YEARS AGO. MY DRIVER SEAT STARTED SHIFT WHEN I TURN CORNERS, LAST WEEK 6/24/2020 AND I'M SCARED FOR MINE AND MY BABIES SAFETY AS I AM A NEW MOM, ALSO THE WELLBEING OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I DONT DRIVE IT MUCH UNLESS NEEDED, AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO WORK FROM HOME.

NHTSA ID
11337204
Incident
Jun 24, 2020
Mileage
174,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 1, 2020

MY DRIVER SEAT HAS SUBSTANTIAL UNWANTED MOVEMENT. I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE SEAT NOW MOVES 2" BACK AND FORTH WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. THIS IS IMPAIRING MY ABILITY TO PROPERLY USE THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND MAINTAINING SPEED WITH THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA ID
11322950
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
70,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS 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. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11306772
Incident
Feb 3, 2020
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 16, 2019

THE BRACE THAT CONNECTS THE BOTTOM OF THE SET TO THE MECHANISM THAT PIVOTS AS THE HEIGHT OF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED HAD A WELD THAT FAILED / CRACKED. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE 17V082000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN THAT EFFECTED THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR, EXCEPT THIS IS A POWER SEAT INSTEAD OF A MANUAL SEAT. THE PART THAT FAILED IS IN THE SAME LOCATION OF THE SEAT FRAME AND APPEARS TO SERVE THE SAME PURPOSE THAT WAS RECALLED UNDER 17V082000. THE RESULT IS THE SAME, THE SEAT IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND INCLINES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DRIVING POSITION.

NHTSA ID
11280537
Incident
Nov 11, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 1, 2019

2010 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PAYING FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID
11258132
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 21, 2019

I'VE SCHEDULED THE RECALL REPAIRS THREE TIMES ,WITH THREE DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS, SINCE JUNE 2018, WHEN MY HATCHBACK SMASHED AGAINST MY HEAD (PICTURES ATTACHED). EACH TIME A DAY OR TWO BEFORE THE SCHEDULED RECALL REPAIRS EACH DEALERSHIP HAD CALLED AND CANCELED THE RECALL REPAIRS WITH NO AVAILABILITY ON A RESCHEDULE DATE AVAILABLE. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS TODAY AUGUST 21,2019 , THERE IS NO DATES AVAILABLE AT ANY MAZDA DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 100 MILES OF MY LOCATION FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR FROM NOW. SO IN MY OPINION THIS IS MAZDA COMPLETELY FAILING TO COMPLETE A TIMELY REPAIR ON MAZDA RECALLS. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID
11245451
Incident
Jun 15, 2018
Mileage
231,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 15, 2019

MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS A BROKEN DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN 2017, BUT THE MAZDA SHOP CLAIMS MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND DID NOT REPAIR THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11244248
Incident
Oct 7, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Aug 7, 2019

MY MAZDA 3 2010 HAS ABOUT 3 RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DO THE RECALLS SINCE LAST YEAR, BUT DUE TO MY SCHEDULE, I CANNOT MAKE IT DURING THE WEEKDAYS. NOW THIS MONTH, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RECALL LETTERS, I FOUND OUT I SHOULD DO THE RECALLS VERY SOON, BUT I HAD HARD TIME TO GET DAY OFF DURING THE WEEKDAYS, SO I WAS ASKING THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE ME FOR WEEKENDS. BUT THEY REFUSED. I KNOW THIS IS A FREE SERVICE, BUT HOW CAN THEY ONLY GIVE US SCHEDULE FOR WEEKDAYS AND REFUSE TO DO THE WORK FOR WEEKENDS. THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY. I DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR OFTEN, BUT I STILL WANT THIS TO BE DONE. I THINK IT IS WRONG THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE RECALLS SERVICE. I DON'T THINK THEY WILL REFUSE THE SERVICE THAT PAY THEM MONEY. VERY BAD EXPERIENCE! I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MONITOR THIS. BECAUSE THEY REFUSING THE WEEKENDS SERVICE, A LOT PEOPLE MAY HOLD OFF THEIR RECALLS JUST LIKE ME, WHICH MAY CAUSE PROBLEM FOR THE ROAD SAFETY. THE NAME OF THE DEALERSHIP IS: MARTIN MAZDA ADDRESS: 289 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711 PHONE:(302) 738-5200

NHTSA ID
11242210
Incident
Aug 7, 2019
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 26, 2019

THE SEAT IS NOT SECURE TO THE FRAME OR SOMETHING, ROCKS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR

NHTSA ID
11203904
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 22, 2019

POWER DRIVER SEAT FRAME CRACKED. THE PLASTIC PUSH PIN SCREW HOLDING SEAT FRAME TO FRAME SNAPPED OFF. THE SEAT IS READY TO BREAK OFF FROM CHASSIS MOUNT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MAZDA'S SUB-STANDARD SEAT FRAME MOUNTS. RECALL ISSUED FOR MANUAL SEAT FRAME, BUT NOT FOR THE POWERED SEAT FRAME.

NHTSA ID
11202819
Incident
Apr 5, 2012
Mileage
27,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 20, 2018

SEAT TRACKS BROKEN - MAZDA USA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE REP SAID THAT THE DRIVER SEAT ASSEMBLY (TRACK, BOLTS, ETC...) IN MY 2010 MAZDA3 ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR AND DAMAGE FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN THE 68K MILES I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW BACK IN AUG. OF '09. THE TRACK WAS REPLACED AFTER 34K MILES. NOW 34K MILES LATER, THE TRACK IS BROKEN AGAIN AND I HAVE A QUOTE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MAZDA IS STATING THIS TYPE OF WEAR AND DAMAGE IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN TO THIS PART OF THE CAR AND IS NORMAL. RECENT MAZDA SERVICE LOCATION VISITED DISAGREES. THEY AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, NOT A NORMAL WEAR ISSUE. MAZDA USA DOES NOT AGREE THIS IS SAFETY RELATED AND WILL NOT HELP TO REMEDY.

NHTSA ID
11152947
Incident
Nov 12, 2018
Mileage
68,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 27, 2018

MAZDA RECALL I KEEP RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FROM BROOKDALE MAZDA ABOUT THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LIFTER LINK. I HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST 4-6 OF THEM IN THE MAIL. WHEN I CALL OR USE A CHAT LINE I AM TOLD THAT THE SERVICE DEPT. WILL CALL ME BACK. YEA, RIGHT. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL, E-MAIL OR MAILER (OTHER THAN THE ONES TELLING ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL) WHERE DO I TURN TO NOW? MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE!

NHTSA ID
11081596
Incident
Nov 10, 2017
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 27, 2018

THE SEAT ADJUSTER ON MY 2010 SGT MAZDA3 BROKE ONE DAY AS I WAS GETTING IN, AND NOW THE SEAT MOVES EVERY TIME I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY SPECIFIC VIN ISN'T CAPTURED, THEY WANTED $1000 (AFTER DISCOUNT FROM CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE) TO FIX IT. I FEEL THAT GIVEN THE DEALER TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VIN AND THOSE SIMILAR.

NHTSA ID
11081457
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
50,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PORTION OF THE POWER SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE TRACKS. COCHRAN MAZDA OF NORTH HILLS (10855 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE POWER SEAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,300.

NHTSA ID
11062034
Incident
Dec 21, 2017
Mileage
127,300 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 .