2014 Mazda Mazda3 Problems

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 140,000. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. It was later discovered that the Title mileage was 197,687.

The car screen displays, GPS, for calls, radio etc, doesn’t works, it’s off, and the airbags are deactivated and they’re off as well and have to press hard on the brake to get the car to stops.

The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that when attempting to secure the vehicle, the electric parking brake failed to engage after pulling up the hand lever. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was previously taken to a dealer for an unrelated recall repair, but the parking brake failure was not addressed or resolved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

The contact's nephew owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while parked on several occasions, the parking brake failed to engage, and there was no resistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

The fuel tank leaks fuel at a full tank and smells of gas in the cabin until about 3/4 tank. Car was dripping a large puddle of gas inside of a parking garage. Problem has been reproduced by my mechanic even after replacing the fuel pump retaining ring. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. CEL did not come on until recently reporting a very small EVAP leak. Inside the car and the surrounding area would smell of gasoline even if there was no leak in the ground.

Gas tank is leaking from the TOP. I could smell gas after a refill (and refilling a portable tank) that I thought must have been a spill I hadn't noticed, and the smell faded. But then it happened again at the next refill, and I knew it wasn't just a spill. Brought it to our trusted mechanic who said that the TOP of the tank was rusted out (wow!)(so, not from road salt) and needs to be replaced. Not cheap, but worse, I'd been driving around in a very hazardous situation that Mazda knows happens. No warning lights, no recall. Thanks, guys. Here's a thread about this being a common issue: https://www.mazda3revolution.com/threads/2014-mazda3-fuel-tank-replacement.245797/

The rear backup sensors no longer work and did not give any indication they stopped working. They do not detect cars driving up from behind when driving or switching lanes or objects or people behind the car anymore when you reverse. This happened without any notice or warning indications.

Rearview camera flickers or doesn't turn on at times.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 140,000. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. It was later discovered that the Title mileage was 197,687.

The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had failed to shift out of first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel was functioning erratically, and the instrument panel lights frequently remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket seal had failed, which resulted in an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V173000(Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

My gear box was popping out of gear at highway speeds into neutral. The service provider informed me the transmission in the car was bad, adding that it the bad transmission caused excessive wear on the clutch-and-flywheel assembly. It later came to my attention that there is an ongoing class action lawsuit in the state of California, represented by Cafferty Clobis Meriwether & Spengel regarding defectively-engineered transmissions of 5- and 6-speed Mazda 3s manufactured between 2010-2015. I had the clutch, flywheel, and transmission all replaced. I cannot be certain that the new OEM transmission part was re-engineered to correct for the original engineering defect and I am greatly concerned that the issues will repeat themselves soon, putting my family and me at risk. I am attaching a letter I sent to Mazda regarding this concern.

AROUND 68,000 MILES, I BEGAN TO HEAR A SUBTLE WHINING NOISE COMING FROM MY 2014 MAZDA MAZDA3. I WAS UNSURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TIRES. AS TIME PASSED, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER, EVENTUALLY TO THE POINT WHERE I FELT I NEEDED TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. A MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SOUND WAS EMITTING THERE. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN POSTED BY MAZDA THAT DESCRIBED THE EXACT ISSUE, AND THAT'S WHAT HE'S SURE IT IS. I GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE EXPLAINED THE SAME THING. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED MODEL IS SOMEWHERE IN THE BALLPARK OF $2,000 - $3,500. THE SECOND MECHANIC I WENT TO SHOWED ME THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. AFTER THE DESCRIPTION, THE BULLETIN STATES, "THIS IS CAUSED BY A DAMAGED BEARING IN THE TRANSAXLE DUE TO IMPROPER CONFIGURATION OF THE TRANSAXLE CASE." THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; UNFORTUNATELY, THE ISSUE IS KNOWN ONLY TO HAPPEN RIGHT AROUND 65,000 + MILES, AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. BECAUSE THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THE ISSUE IS "DUE TO IMPROPER CONFIGURATION", TELLS ME THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT ONLY HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE MAZDA SERVICE CENTER, AND BEING TOLD THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AS WELL AS SPEAKING WITH MAZDA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND EXPLAINING THE SITUATION, MAZDA WAS UNWILLING TO HELP BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THIS ISSUE WAS DUE TO 'IMPROPER CONFIGURATION' MAZDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO REFERENCE FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS BULLETIN NO: 05-005/15 OR NHTSA TSB # 10105626.

Blend door actuator linkage will not allow for heat to be turned on, will blow cool/cold air, have had it looked at and the gear teeth will not stay in line with on another to be able to turn when the knob inside the car is turned. I was told that this may be a recall but do not see anything listed, but that it is a known problem for this model of mazda 3 and ford expiditions

Recall for backup camera has not yet been remedied since September, 2023 issuance. Backup camera still flickers.

Airbag warning symbol on dashboard flashes with or without passenger seated in front seat.

REAR PASSANGER SEAT BELT FAILED IN LOCK POSITION NOTHING IN IT NO CANDY ECT AND STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION REFUSES TO LOCK BELT CURRENT MILEAGE 37989 JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTEE

Airbag warning symbol on dashboard flashes with or without passenger seated in front seat.

The car screen displays, GPS, for calls, radio etc, doesn’t works, it’s off, and the airbags are deactivated and they’re off as well and have to press hard on the brake to get the car to stops.

IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 6 YEARS AND 5 MONTHS. ROAD HAZARD LIKE A TORN WHEEL FROM OTHER CAR OR DIVIDER ON ROAD. IF WHEN DRIVING IT GOES OVER IT DURING NIGHT TIME THE COMPUTER WITHIN THE MAZDA 3 TRIGGERS AUTOMATIC DEFLATION OF THE CAR TIRES.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY IN CLEAR WARM WEATHER, THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE HAD THE SIDE WALL BLOW OUT. THIS PRODUCED ABOUT A 2 INCH SQUARE HOLE IN THE TIRE.

ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE STEERING SENSOR AND ABS MODULE HAVE GONE BACK. THE CAR HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT. I SPOKE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE MODULES ARE FLYING OFF THE SHELVES RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEM ARE GOING BAD.

SAFETY RECALL-ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN THE BACKSEAT I NOTICE MY BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. AFTER THAT EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN PRESSING MY FOOT ON THE GAS. THE CAR EVEN TRIED STOPING AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. WE WERE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO GET IT TOWED BUT I BELIEVED THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE THE DEALERS DIDN'T FIX THE RECALL AND INSTAED THEY BYPASSED IT.

WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE CAR EMITS POPPING AND SQUEAKS FROM THE SUSPENSION. WHEN GETTING IN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR PRODUCES A CLUNKING NOISE THAT EMANATES FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ALSO WHEN WINDING AND UNWINDING THE STEERING WHILE PARKING THE CAR OR MOVING SLOWLY, AGAIN THE VEHICLE EMITS CLUNKING NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION. TODAY IS 10/7/2020, I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR WHO WAS THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED THAT THERE IS A TSB SINCE 2016 ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE AND WILL COST $600 TO REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABRERA AUTO (CARR #2 KM 82.2 SALIDA EXPRESO HATILLO, PR-2, ARECIBO, 00614, PUERTO RICO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO MAZDA DE LA KENNEDY (MARGINAL AVE. KENNEDY, KM 2.1, URB. INDUSTRIAL BECHARA, PUEBLO VIEJO, SAN JUAN, 00920 PUERTO RICO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHINGS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO MAZDA KENNEDY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCKS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO KENNEDY MAZDA WHERE IT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED WITH MAZDA KENNEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,198.

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FLICKERING GOING DIM AND THEN BRIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, AND THE CAR IS IN GEAR.

WHILE EXITING A TRAFFIC CIRCLE, I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR SWERVED. I CORRECTED BUT WAS TOO LATE AS THE FRONT WHEEL HIT THE CURBING CAUSING THE ALUMINUM RIM TO CRACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND A LARGE RECTANGULAR PIECE OF THE TIRE SIDE WALL MISSING. THE SIDE WALL SEPARATION WAS THE TIRE ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE. THE RAPID DEFLATION CAUSED THE CAR TO SWERVE WHILE EXITING THE TURN. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED! *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND SHE WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND LEFT OF CENTER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER CAR BOUNCED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE GUARDRAIL AND THEN SPUN ACROSS THE ROADWAY. HER CAR THEN STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY DAUGHTER AND HER PASSENGER WERE THROWN BACKWARDS DUE TO THE IMPACT FROM BEHIND AND MY DAUGHTER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AT THAT POINT. SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND HAS HAD FREQUENT AND SOMETIMES SEVERE HEADACHES, ALONG WITH BACK AND NECK PAIN SINCE THE ACCIDENT. THE PHOTOS I AM SENDING WERE TAKEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE DEBRIS FROM THE ROADWAY WAS PLACED IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR WHICH IS FORCING THE SEATS TO BE IN A MORE UPRIGHT POSITION THAN THEY WERE AT THE CRASH SCENE, BUT YOU CAN STILL CLEARLY SEE THAT THE SEATBACKS BROKE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND PREVENTABLE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.