2012 Mazda Mazda3 Visibility Problems

The dashboard of my 2012 Mazda 3 has separated from the instrument panel causing a gap between them. The dashboard has become very sticky leaving a black sticky film on the surface. This has caused a glare on the windshield making it hard to see at times while driving. There is a letter dated May 2017 from Mazda, Special Service Program (SSP) A9. The letter states that the warranty was extended 7 years (84 months) from the original warranty start date or April 30, 2018, whichever is later, with no milage limitation. As I read it, 7 years of 84 months from 2018 should extend the warranty for repair of replacement through 2025. Mazda refuses to make repairs, or replacement of this equipment that has an impact on the proper function of the airbag system and impairs the driver's vision because of the constant windshield glare. This is an issue. that needs to be addressed as an important safety.

NHTSA ID

11581837

Incident

Apr 5, 2024

I RECENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VISIBILITY ISSUES WITH MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SEDAN. IT STARTED WHEN THE PLASTIC INTERIOR ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME "GOOPY" AS IT HEATS UP FROM THE SUN. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE AND HAS LEFT BEHIND A SHINY SURFACE THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF MY DRIVING PERIPHERAL. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS OF MAZDA MAKES/MODELS, BUT NOT MINE. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO AND IT'S BECOMING WORSE MAKING IT SO I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY FRONT WINDSHILD ON BRIGHT, SUNNY DAYS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED IN ANYWAY AS IT AFFECTS MY EVERYDAY LIFE AND IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN IS AT HIGH NOON. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS TO SHOW HOW THE INTERIOR PANEL HAS BECOME NATURALLY. IT'S CURRENTLY A CLOUDY DAY SO THE GLARE ISSUE IS NOT SHOWCASED AS MUCH. I HAVE TEMPORALLY LAID A TAN CLOTH OVER TO REDUCE SOME OF THE GLARE BECAUSE IT'S LESS SHINNY THAN THE MELTED INTERIOR (WHICH SEEMS TO REDUCE THE GLARE PROBLEM BY 50%). THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I HOPE TO HEAR BACK SOON.

NHTSA ID

11399991

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

850,000 mi

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY DIM WHEN SLOWING DOWN. COULD BE FROM LETTING OFF ACCELERATOR OR APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT IS DISTRACTING AND MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE INCLUDING THE FIX YET HAS NOT MADE COMMINICATIONS TO OWNERS.

NHTSA ID

11064786

Incident

Mar 11, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TACOMA MAZDA IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE EVER OCCURRING IN THE PAST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.

NHTSA ID

11058086

Incident

Aug 19, 2017

Mileage

22,000 mi

DRIVING WITH NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME AND MOONROOF EXPLODED. DID NOT SEE OR HEAR A ROCK, JUST HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. PULLED OFFER RIGHT AWAY AND MOON ROOF WAS SHATTERED. IT LOOKED LIKE IT BLEW OUT AS OPPOSED TO SMASHED IN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10694981

Incident

Mar 17, 2015

Mileage

50,000 mi

OVERNIGHT, THE MOONROOF GLASS BROKE ALONG THE FORWARD LEADING EDGE PARALLEL TO THE METAL BRACE THAT IS IN CONTACT WITH THE GLASS BENEATH IT. UPON CLOSING THE DOOR, THE FRACTURED GLASS BOWED UP AND PIECES OF THE SHATTERED GLASS ENDED UP ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE ROOF. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE, IF NEEDED. NOTE: NO DEBRIS WAS FOUND ON THE MOONROOF SUGGESTING THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM ANY OUTSIDE SOURCE. NOTE: IT WAS NEGATIVE SIX DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WHEN DISCOVERED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10566584

Incident

Feb 28, 2014

Mileage

21,140 mi

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND SHATTERING SOUND FOLLOWED BY RUSHING WIND. THE SOUND WAS RIGHT BY MY HEAD AND I SAW SHARDS OF GLASS FLYING IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. THE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED ON MY 2012 MAZDA 3. I ONLY HAD ABOUT 20000 MILES ON IT. NO ONE WAS INJURED BECAUSE I HAD THE CLOTH INTERIOR CLOSED, BUT HAD I BEEN DRIVING I COULD HAVE EASILY TAKEN GLASS IN THE FACE AND CRASHED. MY SUNROOF WAS DEFECTIVE AND MAZDA CLAIMS IT HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MATTER. THEY SAY IT MUST HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A PEBBLE EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND AND I WAS DRIVING AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING. THEIR REASON FOR THIS BELIEF IS THAT IF THEY ARE DEFECTIVE THEY "USUALLY BREAK EARLIER." *TR

NHTSA ID

10565997

Incident

Feb 19, 2014

Mileage

20,200 mi

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 - 40 MPH (ACCELERATING) ON A LONG WINDING WOODED RURAL INTERSTATE ONRAMP, NO OTHER VEHICLE TRAFFIC NEARBY, THE SUNROOF (CLOSED AT THE TIME) LITERALLY BUCKLED UPWARD AND EXPLODED OUTWARD. IT WAS VERY LOUD LIKE A SHOTGUN. AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED, IT GAVE BOTH MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE HAD FIRED A GUN AT US AND WE DID NOT STOP UNTIL WE REACHED THE NEXT EXIT. WE WERE VERY RATTLED BY THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS DEFINITELY NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE GLASS AND NO ROCK OR OTHER FOREIGN OBJECT INVOLVED. THE GLASS THAT WAS EXPELLED FLEW UP AND OUT BEHIND THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR SOME GLASS PIECES THAT STAYED ON THE ROOF AND THE TRUNK. VERY LITTLE OF THE APPROXIMATELY 8"X10" SECTION OF MISSING GLASS FELL IN THE TRAY BENEATH. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHER SPEEDS, OR EVEN IF MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING AT THE TIME, I'M NOT SURE IT WOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560435

Incident

Jan 13, 2014

Mileage

33,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME PANELING ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASHBOARD WAS CAUSING MOMENTARILY BLINDNESS WHEN THE SUN OR LIGHT REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10470647

Incident

Aug 3, 2012