2010 Mazda Mazda3 Problems

See attached document for complaint.

The dashboards should be subject to a recall immediately since badly reduced visibility from glare is a recipe for an accident. The defective (melting) material is so bad that if the sun hits it just right, I can hardly see anything ahead of me; it is an accident waiting to happen. I called my Mazda dealer (Gray Epperson Mazda in Cleveland, TN (423) 303-1333) but said there was nothing they could do now as there was a warranty before but it had expired. I try to drive the car but always trying to avoid sunny conditions, but unfortunately, when I leave at 5pm conditions are worse if it's sunny. I wish Mazda would accept responsibility soon (or they are forced to do so by NHTSA, if needed) so that I wouldn't have to take such a risk.

See attached document for complaint.

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.

my Mazda 03 dashboard is melting, and I am not able to see out the window... I have talked to dealer and manufactory, and they will not pay the whole amount knowing it's a safety issue. I don't understand how they can sell product on car that is malfunctioning and a safety issue. I bought the car brand new in 2010 and didn't have any issues until this year. Please call me back at [XXX] my name is [XXX] . I was not in an accident, just think this is a safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The dashboard adhesive migrates to the surface of the dashboard. Adhesive then sublimates and condenses on the windshield making a glaze on the windshield, making it extremely difficult to see the road in sunrise or sunset conditions. I've repeatedly cleaned the windshield with many different cleaners including acetone, but at best I am only able to improve visibility, not restore it. In the attached photo, the upper portion of photo illustrates the film of adhesive on the glass after it was wiped with a clean paper towel, creating a hazy appearance. The entire windshield was cleaned with acetone and heavy duty degreaser and window cleaner prior to the photo.

ABS module malfunction all four wheel speed sensor not read in the same time and powersteering cut off cause by unready wheel speed check engine light ABS light and Steering Light on.

As the original owner, I have now experienced (4) faulty/broken/corroded valve stem as part (attached to the TPMS-Tire Pressure Monitor System). This happened over the course of 12 years. I do believe all of them were OEM parts. All of them broke when attempting to air up the tire. It is a safety issue because once broke, you can no longer put air into the tire. The first occurrence was while still under warranty and i had to argue with the Mazda dealer to replace it . The dealership gave me some sort of unofficial receipt which I actually kept, found, and attached to this complaint form. During my second set of tires, Sams Club graciously replaced 2 more as part of their tire warranty package (I dont think they documented this on their receipts). Now, what i believe to be the final OEM stem left has broke. Unfortunately, I have a third set of tires through Costco and they wont replace without a fee. This should be a safety recall absolutely no doubt in my experience!

The AT light came on the dash, added transmission fluid because it was a little low but the light still has not gone off. I think there is an electrical problem within the transmission. It's had shifting issues since purchasing this vehicle. I also have a small child that comes with me to work and I do not want my car to catch on fire while we are in this vehicle.

NHTSA Complaint Narrative I am filing this complaint regarding a 2010 Mazda 3, VIN [XXX] . The vehicle experiences intermittent transmission control failures, including difficulty shifting out of first gear and warning indicators triggered by vibration. The transmission and transmission control module have already been replaced. The dealership has identified the wiring harness as the cause of the remaining failure. Mazda North American Operations has confirmed that the required wiring harness (BBM9-67-020H) is discontinued and unavailable. However, Mazda has not provided a written determination of whether the known wiring harness recall (engine wiring harness chafing affecting control systems) applies to this VIN, nor confirmed recall completion history. Mazda has advised the customer to seek aftermarket or salvage parts, but has not provided an approved repair remedy or goodwill assistance despite the issue affecting drivability and safety. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether Mazda has met its obligations regarding: 1.recall applicability determination by VIN, and 2.providing an adequate remedy when OEM repair parts are no longer available for a safety-related defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

my girlfriend had bought a car from a dealership in Pennsylvania and the car is registered in Pennsylvania at a dealer called premier world wide auto sales. when she had bought the car all four of the tires i believe should have failed pa safety inspection and the owner of this shop keeps telling me that they pass one hundred percent even though the tires have signs of dry rot all the way around all four tires and would not stop giving me problems and trying to prove me wrong the dot codes show that the tires in the front were 10 years of age and the rear tires at 8 years of age and showing signs of dry rot the tire size all around is 205/55r16 and this is completely unacceptable for a business that has been operating for as long as its been operating because all i can think about is how many other cars has this dealership sold with dry rotting tires nor did they show my girlfriend when she bought the car any of the work that had been done by the shop that had done the inspection prior she was told that everything on this car was great and that there weren't any issues when infact that was not the case i found a leak coming from an engine oil pressure sensor and a cv axle boot torn and flinging grease along with the tires with none of this being disclosed to my girlfriend who bought the car shortly after

I purchased two tires from Les Schwab in Molalla, OR on 1/15/25 in which upon them changing the tires they damaged one of my TPMS sensors and they did not replace it. I didn't have a warning light before I went in and now I do and they knowingly did not replace it when TPMS sensor service was part of purchasing the new tires. Instead they quoted me $451.96 to replace the sensors in all 4 tires other than replaced the one they broke. A set of TPMS sensors online cost $28, this is unethical of them to take advantage of consumers like this and they should be held accountable. If I'm not mistake it says in "49 USC 30122(b)" that "Prohibition.-A manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or motor vehicle repair business may not knowingly make inoperative any part of a device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in compliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter unless the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or repair business reasonably believes the vehicle or equipment will not be used (except for testing or a similar purpose during maintenance or repair) when the device or element is inoperative." 205/55 R16

On August 15, 2025, my 2010 Mazda 3 began displaying the ABS warning light intermittently while driving. The ABS system is a critical safety feature, and when the light comes on, I am unsure if the braking system will function properly in an emergency. I scanned the vehicle using a Foxwell diagnostic tool and retrieved the following ABS-related fault codes: C0020:1C-2B – ABS Pump Motor Control Circuit U0425:62-60 – Invalid Data Received from IPC/ABS Control Module U0140:00-28 – Lost Communication with Body Control Module These issues are consistent with Mazda Technical Service Bulletin 04-002/13 (July 17, 2013), which documents ABS pump motor failures caused by poor motor brush contact. This is a serious safety concern because the ABS system fails without warning, leaving the driver and passengers at risk of brake loss in critical conditions. Why this should be investigated: The defect occurs intermittently, making it difficult to predict or reproduce. It matches a known documented defect acknowledged by Mazda in TSB 04-002/13. Other owners have reported similar ABS pump failures in Mazda vehicles of this generation. The failure compromises safe braking and should be treated as a safety defect warranting investigation and possible recall. Action Requested: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this recurring ABS pump/motor failure in 2010 Mazda 3 vehicles and determine whether a recall should be issued to address this known defect.

The a.b.s pump module is defective in these vehicles. There are tons of people having issues with them. When they fail it happens suddenly resulting in brake failure, power steering failure, the car does not like to shut off, the vehicle will go into "limp mode" and every light on the dash comes on. The part itself is costing close to $1000 u.s.d . With all of tge effected things tgat go with it i believe it can be very dangerous and should be recalled

Transmission control module issues. Car was driving on the expressway and wouldn’t shift out of second gear. Engine light and AT light came on. Had to drive slowly on the expressway and get off on the closest exit. Cars were speeding past me and I had to be careful not to get hit. Research and shop shows the 2010 Mazda 3 vehicles have lots of issue with the TCM because they get hot due to there location.

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the vehicle failed to accelerate as designed with the power train warning light blinking. The vehicle also started jerking. After the vehicle accelerated, the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

TCM has failed to communicate in engine. Car doesn’t not shift properly or has hard shifts if it is able to get back into gear. Car may experience AT engagement making it hard to steer and control vehicle. Can happen in the middle of driving. Independent service Auto mechanic shop Vehicle has no warning lights indicating failure until hard shift when driving 50miles per hour and engine would no longer speed up AT light then came on. Once parked for two days check engine light came on and vehicle no longer would shift into gear.

The contact's friend owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while riding in the front passenger’s seat, there was an abnormal booming sound heard. After exiting the vehicle, the driver and passenger opened the hood and noticed that the engine had fallen. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Power Steering sometimes works and sometimes not. Can go out and stop working or start working, in the middle of driving. i noticed Mazda has a recall for 2007, 2008, 2009 Mazda 3 cars, but *NOT* 2010 Mazda 3. I suspect the same issue.

On Multiple occasions the Power Steering goes out and warning light on dash comes on. Very hard to steer without the PS on. This has happened on highways as well as in town in traffic. Sometimes it comes back in a few seconds on its own. Other times the car must be turned off and restarted, if you can get to a safe place. No codes appear when checked.

While driving on the interstate, the driver’s side airbag deployed without any obvious cause. There was no pothole, bump, or clear reason for the airbag to deploy. There was moderate traffic. This put myself and others nearby at risk by causing me to flinch after getting hit by the airbag. I was lucky to not swerve into anything or cause any damage. It caused temporary loss of hearing and a sore neck, but no serious injury. Prior to the failure, there were no dash lights, messages, or other symptoms.

These vehicles have a foam based dash board which is falling off in pieces and sections . This can cause choking hazard in small children adults etc also if air bags where to deploy this section would more then likely explode in many hundreds of pieces causing blinding .As well as it decays or falls off in these pieces children may place objects in there mouths or chew or eat on .The dash board does not seem to be able ro handle a air bag deploy situation . I would have thought this would have been replaced or recalled prior to my intation of this matter. Also dash may contain harmful or chemical agents I'm it that would not be safe to child nor adult.

The Transmission Control Module (TCM) has gone out on my car, causing it to shift to 2nd gear while doing 75mph with cars around me, and would no longer shift out of 2nd gear, or into reverse. It was an extremely dangerous situation that made me come very close to wrecking into a car, as well as the many cars behind me that had to emergency brake due to my rapid deceleration, especially without and brake lights coming on because it was engine braking. Doing a simple google search show that this is an extremely well-known problem effecting almost every Mazda 3 that used this TCM in 2010-2011. Any mechanic will tell you it's a known problem, and that it was due to where and how Mazda placed the computer, which causes it to overheat and fail without warning. I'm not sure why there has not been a recall on this issue with how prevalent it has been, and how easily recognized it is by mechanics. It is not a cheap fix, and can cause many other major issues leading up to requiring a full new transmission, if the problem did not already cause the car to wreck!

HORN WORKS ON AND OFF, CAR IS UNABLE TO REVERSE (PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE WAS ABLE TO GO FORWARD,TURNED THE CAR OFF WENT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT WORK,TRANSMISSION CLUTCH GETS STUCK AND TAKES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY AT A FAST SPEED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS

A substantial amount of water has made its way into the headlight housing. This has caused the driver side light to go out. There is no evidence of any damage, cracks, or failure otherwise. It seems, like thousands of other Mazda3 drivers, the seals have failed. My particular model has the auto leveling and turning headlights. Cost to repair will be well over $1,000. This is a well known problem to Mazda. Lack of lighting is a safety issue. High price of repair is a serious bar to fixing the issue and returning to safe driving. I was unaware of the failure as no warning is communicated to the driver.

MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT FOR AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL A POLICE OFFICER KINDLY PULLED ME OVER AND TOLD ME. WHEN I WENT TO HAVE THE LIGHT REPLACED, THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT WAS OUT, NOT THE DRIVER SIDE. I ASSUMED THE OFFICER HAD MADE A MISTAKE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING APPROX 40MPH ON AN UNLIT ROAD WHEN BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTBULB MYSTERIOUSLY CAME ON AGAIN BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DIDN'T. SO THEN THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT WAS REPLACED AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY INSPECTED THE PASSENGER SIDE ONE AND REPORTED IT 'CHECKED GOOD'. IT WAS ONLY GOOD FOR A FEW MONTHS BECAUSE IT'S OUT AGAIN. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION IN THESE LIGHTS BUT I DISMISSED IT - MAZDA OR THE MECHANICS WOULD TELL ME IF IT COULD BE A PROBLEM, RIGHT? I'VE RESEARCHED NOW AND FOUND THE ISSUE IS REPORTED ON ALL THE MAZDA3 MESSAGE BOARDS AND TO YOU AT THE NTSB (THESE ARE JUST THE ONES I FOUND: 11044247,11015855,10865541,10849726,10823321,10723613, 10715457,10683926,10640462,10632527,10573945,10558974,10554823, 10548296, 10443658,10914541,10874861,10865443,10853089). THERE ARE AT LEAST NINE MAZDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. NEITHER MAZDA ITSELF NOR THE MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WHERE MY CAR WAS SERVICED MANY TIMES HAD TOLD ME ABOUT IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE NEXT PERSON WHO HAS BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAIL ON THEM MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. I HAVE TALKED TO MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INSIST THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR AND NORMAL. DO I NEED TO MOVE TO A CERTAIN ENVIRONMENT, A DESERT MAYBE, TO HAVE RELIABLE HEADLIGHTS? *TR

Mon-7/10/2023 used the car. Tues 7/11/2023 attempted to use my car opened the door on the drivers side-saw a bizarre position of the seat. It had somehow migrated during the night to approx 4” from the steering wheel when I try to get into the seat my chest stomach area is an inch away can’t reach the pedals very well because my right knee is up against the dashboard. Took the car to the dealership the man in charge told me there’s nothing they could do the car is too old. He told me to take it to an independent repair shop to get the parts from junk yard. Said he would have to cut the bolts on the seat track said he couldn’t do that. Please see the photos and video.

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact made an emergency stop. The contact stated that he struck the steering wheel with his chest. Additionally, the seat belt pretensioner failed to operate as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side seat pretensioner Part Number: BCY7-57-L90A-01 needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Fuel is leaking from the top of the gas tank, which is a very dangerous issue.

According to other people on forums, the issue is inside the fuel tank. A piece of metal in the fuel tank has broken off and it scrapping inside the tank itself. I have no taken my car to a mechanic, yet. But, based on the multiple forums, this is an ongoing issue with Mazdas. You hear it mostly when your driving and come to a stop. Once stopped, you heard the scrapping until the car/fuel stops shifting.

PER TECH CROSS MEMBER BUSHING. IT MAKES A CLERKING NOICE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING.

LOUD NOISE IN BACK SUSPENSION. NOISE OCCURS RUNNING HIGHWAY BUT GETS LOUDER ON A CITY STREET UNKNOWN CAUSE. WHEN TURNING VEHICLE STARTED CLICKS BUT NEED TO KEEP TRYING TO TURN ON. PROBABLY COMPUTER PROBLEM

CLUTCH FAILED AT 19.5K MILES. IVE ONLY HAD HER SINCE NOVEMBER, AND WITH THE WAY I DRIVE THERES NO WAY IN HELL THE CLUTCH SHOULD GO OUT THIS SOON... NOW AS TO EXPLAIN AS TO WHAT HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY ENGINE STARTED REVING A BIT ODDLY WHEN I BARELY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT WENT FROM THE NORMAL 2900 RPM IN 6TH GEAR AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND SHOT UP TO 3500 WAY TO QUICKLY THEN DROPPED BACK TO 2900 AND SLOWLY ROSE HOW IT SHOULDVE TO GET ME TO 70MPH...IT CONTINUED DOING THIS WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, GROWING STEADILY WORSE UNTIL I WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO ANY GEAR AT ALL. THERE WAS NEVER A SMELL OF CLUTCH INSIDE THE CAR THE ENTIRE TIME, NO ODD NOISES, NO GRINDING, AND THE CLUTCH WAS ABOUT HALF AS STIFF AS IT NORMALLY WAS. SO I CALLED DEALER, THEY TOWED MY CAR(COURSE IT TOOK FOREVER BECAUSE THEY SENT THE TRUCK TO THE WRONG LOCATION HAHA). IT TOOK 2 DAYS BEFORE THEY EVEN GOT TO GLANCE AT THE CAR TO SEE WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE(NOT TAKE APART MIND U, JUST LOOKED), AND SAID THE CLUTCH WAS "SMOKED" NO OTHER SPECIFICS BUT WANTED ME TO AUTHORIZE THEM FOR 525 WORTH OF LABOR PLUS PARTS -_-. SO NOW IM STUCK FIGHTING THEM TO REPAIR THIS UNDER WARRANTY(I KNOW THERES USUALLY NOT A WARRANTY UNLESS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT..BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

I HAVE A 2010 MAZDA 3 SPOR WITH 41,000 MILES AND THE CLUTCH TOTALLY WENT. CLUTCH , FLYWHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $1800 DOLLARS. MAZDA REFUSED TO ADMIT ANY DEFECT. *TR