2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Interior & seats1845.0%
- Body & structure512.5%
- Visibility37.5%
- Airbags37.5%
- Powertrain (other)25.0%
- Engine25.0%
- Driver assistance12.5%
- Exterior lighting12.5%
- Other / unspecified12.5%
- Suspension12.5%
- Tires & wheels12.5%
- Electrical12.5%
- Fuel system12.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE SWING ARM WHICH ATTACHES THE ADJUSTMENT BAR UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT CUSHION TO THE LEFT SEAT SLIDER BROKE. THE SEAT ROCKS FREELY APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT, MAKING THE SEATBELT USELESS AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. I HAD TO REMOVE THE SEAT AND RE-WELD THE SWING ARM. THE DEALER SOLUTION WOULD BE A COMPLETE SEAT REPLACEMENT COSTING $900. MILEAGE: 71000
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BECAME LOOSE. WHEN SITTING DOWN IN THE CAR A LOUD CLUCK WAS HEARD AND THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MOVED BACKWARD. UPON INSPECTION THE WELD HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE BRACKET HAD SNAPPED. CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME BEEN RENDERED UN-DRIVABLE DUE TO THE MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL FOR TWO SECONDS BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12396366785. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
I HAVE A 2010 MAZDASPEED 3. AT ONLY 5 YEARS OLD THE CLEAR COAT IS ALREADY PEELING HORRIBLY ON THE HOOD AND NOW STARTING ON THE FENDERS AND TRIM GOING ALONG THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE THE VELOCITY RED PAINT AND CANNOT BELIEVE THE CLEAR COAT IS PEELING THIS BADLY WITHIN ONLY 5 YEARS. VEHICLE IS KEPT UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, THE GLARE FROM IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE TRAFFIC UP AHEAD AND IS VERY DISTRACTING AT TIMES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS A COMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA VEHICLES, USING VISORS TO COVER THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT STOP THE MELTING. INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS EXTREMELY STREAKY DUE TO THE DASH MELTING AND OILS LEAVING RESIDUE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND TURNING INTO A STICKY GOOEY MESS THAT VERY GLOSSY AND CREATING A LARGE AMOUNT OF REFLECTIVE GLARE. THE REFLECTIVE GLARE OFF THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IS SO BRIGHT THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD ON BRIGHT OR SUNNY DAYS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLINKING AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHORTLY AFTER MAZDA SERVICE RECALL FOR SEAT REPLACEMENT. MAZDA DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WHICH LATER FOUND TO BE LOOSE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT. CONNECTOR WAS UNCLIPPED DURING ASSEMBLY OF NEW VEHICLE BRACKET AND NOT REINSTALLED PROPERLY. OWNER ALSO HAD U0100 CODE PENDING NO PCM COMM. REFERRED TO WS MANUAL FOUND OUT LOOSE WIRE FROM AIR BAG COULD'VE BEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT LATER FOUND MOISTURE UNDER STEERING COLUMN. LED TO FINDING LEAKING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO ENGINE FIREWALL PCM MAIN HARNESS CONNECTION/PLUG. THIS CAUSED CORROSION, POOR CONTACT WITH GROUND WIRING, AND VEHICLE ELECTRICAL "GREMLINS". SUCH AS HATCHBACK DOOR INDICATING 'OPEN' ON DISPLAY UPON START WITH NO CAUSE. RESTARTING VEHICLE SOLVED THAT.. INTERMITTENT TCS/DSC FLASHLIGHT LIGHT DRIVING UNDER 10MPH IN PARKING LOT. OWNER ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 400 MILES. 1ST AND 2ND GEAR SYNCHRO REPLACED. LATER TURBO @ 15K MILES AND AGAIN AT 40K. DEALERSHIPS INEXPERIENCED WITH HANDLING MS3. MIGHT AS WELL HAVE GONE TO FORD SINCE MAZDA DEALERS WERE OF NO HELP GIVEN "CONVENIENCE" IN MILEAGE. BAD STRUT BEARINGS AT 50K, NEW STRUTS AND SHOCKS AT 35K. ENGINE MOUNT REAR AT 10K MILES. THE OTHER 2 MOUNTS FAILED, DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER. PASSENGER MOUNT LEAKED HYDRAULIC OIL ON TO SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEY TENSIONER. COME ON! WHEN THE ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED, THE ENGINE TILTED BACKWARDS, CRACKING EXHAUST, CAUSING MISFIRE AND BURNING UP AT LEAST 1 IGNITION COIL. I COULD KEEP GOING..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR BRUISE TO THE RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (FAIRWAY MAZDA OF SAVANNAH 10101 ABERCORN STREET, SAVANNAH, GA, 31406), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT OUT AN ENGINEER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION DAMAGAE, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLINKING AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHORTLY AFTER MAZDA SERVICE RECALL FOR SEAT REPLACEMENT. MAZDA DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WHICH LATER FOUND TO BE LOOSE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT. CONNECTOR WAS UNCLIPPED DURING ASSEMBLY OF NEW VEHICLE BRACKET AND NOT REINSTALLED PROPERLY. OWNER ALSO HAD U0100 CODE PENDING NO PCM COMM. REFERRED TO WS MANUAL FOUND OUT LOOSE WIRE FROM AIR BAG COULD'VE BEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT LATER FOUND MOISTURE UNDER STEERING COLUMN. LED TO FINDING LEAKING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO ENGINE FIREWALL PCM MAIN HARNESS CONNECTION/PLUG. THIS CAUSED CORROSION, POOR CONTACT WITH GROUND WIRING, AND VEHICLE ELECTRICAL "GREMLINS". SUCH AS HATCHBACK DOOR INDICATING 'OPEN' ON DISPLAY UPON START WITH NO CAUSE. RESTARTING VEHICLE SOLVED THAT.. INTERMITTENT TCS/DSC FLASHLIGHT LIGHT DRIVING UNDER 10MPH IN PARKING LOT. OWNER ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 400 MILES. 1ST AND 2ND GEAR SYNCHRO REPLACED. LATER TURBO @ 15K MILES AND AGAIN AT 40K. DEALERSHIPS INEXPERIENCED WITH HANDLING MS3. MIGHT AS WELL HAVE GONE TO FORD SINCE MAZDA DEALERS WERE OF NO HELP GIVEN "CONVENIENCE" IN MILEAGE. BAD STRUT BEARINGS AT 50K, NEW STRUTS AND SHOCKS AT 35K. ENGINE MOUNT REAR AT 10K MILES. THE OTHER 2 MOUNTS FAILED, DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER. PASSENGER MOUNT LEAKED HYDRAULIC OIL ON TO SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEY TENSIONER. COME ON! WHEN THE ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED, THE ENGINE TILTED BACKWARDS, CRACKING EXHAUST, CAUSING MISFIRE AND BURNING UP AT LEAST 1 IGNITION COIL. I COULD KEEP GOING..
DRIVING ON MANUAL FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP AND CAR TAKES OVER. THE GEARS DON'T SHIFT AND HOLDS BACK FROM CHANGING TO AUTOMATIC, BRAKING OR SLOWING DOWN. CARS COMING BEHIND SEVERAL TIMES ALMOST REAR ENDED US WITH OUR KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. ANOTHER INCIDENT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 45-50 THE GEARS GOT STUCK ON DOWN SHIFT AND ENGINE SPEED UP, ALMOST HITTING THE MEDIAN STRIP. THIRD TIME IN FEBRUARY RAINING THE SAME OCCURRENCE, THE CAR TAKES OVER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL FOR TWO SECONDS BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY RESTARTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12396366785. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
DRIVING ON MANUAL FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP AND CAR TAKES OVER. THE GEARS DON'T SHIFT AND HOLDS BACK FROM CHANGING TO AUTOMATIC, BRAKING OR SLOWING DOWN. CARS COMING BEHIND SEVERAL TIMES ALMOST REAR ENDED US WITH OUR KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. ANOTHER INCIDENT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 45-50 THE GEARS GOT STUCK ON DOWN SHIFT AND ENGINE SPEED UP, ALMOST HITTING THE MEDIAN STRIP. THIRD TIME IN FEBRUARY RAINING THE SAME OCCURRENCE, THE CAR TAKES OVER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON MANUAL FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP AND CAR TAKES OVER. THE GEARS DON'T SHIFT AND HOLDS BACK FROM CHANGING TO AUTOMATIC, BRAKING OR SLOWING DOWN. CARS COMING BEHIND SEVERAL TIMES ALMOST REAR ENDED US WITH OUR KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT. ANOTHER INCIDENT DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 45-50 THE GEARS GOT STUCK ON DOWN SHIFT AND ENGINE SPEED UP, ALMOST HITTING THE MEDIAN STRIP. THIRD TIME IN FEBRUARY RAINING THE SAME OCCURRENCE, THE CAR TAKES OVER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WATER INTERMITTENTLY LEAKS INTO PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN JUST THE DATE LISTED HERE. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS (TPS) ON THIS AND OTHER VEHICLES ARE PRONE TO CORROSION AND FAILURE. THIS IS BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR STEM IS ALUMINUM AND THE INTERIOR CORE IS ANOTHER METAL (NICKEL-PLATED, PERHAPS) AND THE ENTIRE SENSOR BODY IS ENERGIZED. WHEN THE TPS IS EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT AND SNOWMELT, THE ALUMINUM CORRODES AND CAN BREAK OFF, CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED DEFLATION OF THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND MY WIFE ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE CHANGING A TIRE AND I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER INSTANCES IN WHICH DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TPS AND TIRE DEFLATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR BRUISE TO THE RIBS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (FAIRWAY MAZDA OF SAVANNAH 10101 ABERCORN STREET, SAVANNAH, GA, 31406), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT OUT AN ENGINEER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION DAMAGAE, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN JUST THE DATE LISTED HERE. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS (TPS) ON THIS AND OTHER VEHICLES ARE PRONE TO CORROSION AND FAILURE. THIS IS BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR STEM IS ALUMINUM AND THE INTERIOR CORE IS ANOTHER METAL (NICKEL-PLATED, PERHAPS) AND THE ENTIRE SENSOR BODY IS ENERGIZED. WHEN THE TPS IS EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT AND SNOWMELT, THE ALUMINUM CORRODES AND CAN BREAK OFF, CAUSING AN UNCONTROLLED DEFLATION OF THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND MY WIFE ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE CHANGING A TIRE AND I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER INSTANCES IN WHICH DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TPS AND TIRE DEFLATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLINKING AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHORTLY AFTER MAZDA SERVICE RECALL FOR SEAT REPLACEMENT. MAZDA DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WHICH LATER FOUND TO BE LOOSE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT. CONNECTOR WAS UNCLIPPED DURING ASSEMBLY OF NEW VEHICLE BRACKET AND NOT REINSTALLED PROPERLY. OWNER ALSO HAD U0100 CODE PENDING NO PCM COMM. REFERRED TO WS MANUAL FOUND OUT LOOSE WIRE FROM AIR BAG COULD'VE BEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT LATER FOUND MOISTURE UNDER STEERING COLUMN. LED TO FINDING LEAKING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO ENGINE FIREWALL PCM MAIN HARNESS CONNECTION/PLUG. THIS CAUSED CORROSION, POOR CONTACT WITH GROUND WIRING, AND VEHICLE ELECTRICAL "GREMLINS". SUCH AS HATCHBACK DOOR INDICATING 'OPEN' ON DISPLAY UPON START WITH NO CAUSE. RESTARTING VEHICLE SOLVED THAT.. INTERMITTENT TCS/DSC FLASHLIGHT LIGHT DRIVING UNDER 10MPH IN PARKING LOT. OWNER ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS @ 400 MILES. 1ST AND 2ND GEAR SYNCHRO REPLACED. LATER TURBO @ 15K MILES AND AGAIN AT 40K. DEALERSHIPS INEXPERIENCED WITH HANDLING MS3. MIGHT AS WELL HAVE GONE TO FORD SINCE MAZDA DEALERS WERE OF NO HELP GIVEN "CONVENIENCE" IN MILEAGE. BAD STRUT BEARINGS AT 50K, NEW STRUTS AND SHOCKS AT 35K. ENGINE MOUNT REAR AT 10K MILES. THE OTHER 2 MOUNTS FAILED, DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER. PASSENGER MOUNT LEAKED HYDRAULIC OIL ON TO SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEY TENSIONER. COME ON! WHEN THE ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED, THE ENGINE TILTED BACKWARDS, CRACKING EXHAUST, CAUSING MISFIRE AND BURNING UP AT LEAST 1 IGNITION COIL. I COULD KEEP GOING..
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE TWO PIECES OF METAL SCRAPING AGAINST EACH OTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK INTERNAL BAFFLE WAS DETACHED AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD SPARK A FLAME INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,300.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .