Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
1225–50K
1950–75K
1975–100K
20100–150K
6150K+
111 reports with mileage · 34 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports2 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
145 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2004
Power Train
1. CLUTCH REALLY HARD WHEN PUSHED. (SAT IN OTHER MAZDA 3'S AND CLUTCH WAS EXTREMLY SOFT) *DEALER INSISTED THAT I BURNED IT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800 FOR LABOR. WENT TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS BURNED. GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN.*AK 2. NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. MAKES SCRAPING NOISE…
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1. CLUTCH REALLY HARD WHEN PUSHED. (SAT IN OTHER MAZDA 3'S AND CLUTCH WAS EXTREMLY SOFT) *DEALER INSISTED THAT I BURNED IT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800 FOR LABOR. WENT TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS BURNED. GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN.*AK 2. NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. MAKES SCRAPING NOISE! GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 3.WHEN ACCELERATING ON A TURN, THE FRONT OF THE CAR MAKES A BOOM BOOOM BOOM BOOM NOISE, REALLY LOUD. WENT TO A COUPLE OF FRIENDS WORKING IN SHOPS AND SAID IT'S MY STRUTS. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 4. HAD TO CHANGE TWO FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS. 5. 3RD GEAR MAKING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE INTO IT. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 6.BACK BRAKE ROTORS GIVING A LOT OF DUST THEN THE FRONT ROTORS. NOT SUPPOSE TO BE LIKE THAT!GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 7.EXHAUST LOOSE, WHEN STEPPING ON GAS IT JAGS BACK AND FORTH. GOIN TO COMPLAIN IN OTHER WORDS NOT SATISFIED WITH CAR, ESPEASIALLY SINCE IT'S BRAND NEW.. MY CAR JUST REACHED 17000 MILES, BUT ALL THE PROBLEMS HAPPENED EARLIER
NHTSA ODI #10096403
300 miles · Sep 17, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT ROTORS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND RIDGING AT 300 MILES. REAR ROTORS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND RIDGING, DEEP GROOVE/PIT IN RIGHT REAR AT 300 MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091159
1,100 miles · Sep 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE A LUXURY SUV APPEARED FROM ONE SIDE, REQUIRING ME TO STOP SUDDENLY. HOWEVER, WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKES SEEMED VERY HESITANT TO RESPOND, EVEN WITH ABS. THANKFULLY THE CAR DID STOP IN TIME. I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES AND H…
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WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE A LUXURY SUV APPEARED FROM ONE SIDE, REQUIRING ME TO STOP SUDDENLY. HOWEVER, WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKES SEEMED VERY HESITANT TO RESPOND, EVEN WITH ABS. THANKFULLY THE CAR DID STOP IN TIME. I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES AND HAVE ALSO NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AND A FEW GROOVES IN THE DISCS/ROTORS IN THE REAR AFTER ONLY 1000 MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10090659
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
FAULTY FUEL PUMP LEADS TO SEVERAL ENGINE STALLS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089021
12,600 miles · Sep 2, 2004
Power TrainSteering
MY CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. I HAVE A MAZDA 3 WHICH I PURCHASED IN DECEMBER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY CAR BEGAN HESITATING ON OCCASSION WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN PUSHING THE GAS TO GO. I DID NOTICE AFTER THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE DID THIS THAT THE D LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY AR…
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MY CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. I HAVE A MAZDA 3 WHICH I PURCHASED IN DECEMBER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY CAR BEGAN HESITATING ON OCCASSION WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN PUSHING THE GAS TO GO. I DID NOTICE AFTER THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE DID THIS THAT THE D LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE LINKED BUT IT WOULD BE ODD IF THEY WERE NOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND HAD KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS.AT WHICH THIS TIME THEY FOUND A BERRING HAD GONE BAD MY CAR HAS 12,600 MILES AT THIS POINT. I RECIEVED MY VEHICLE BACK AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK TWO DAYS LATER FOR THE BERRING. THE BERRING WAS REPLACED AND I WAS SENT HOME AGAIN. THEN TWO WEEKS AGO WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR MY HUSBAND HAD IT IN NETTURAL AT A LIGHT AND PLACED IN MANUAMATIC THEN DIRECTLY IN DRIVE AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND THAT MADE US WONDER IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AGAIN WE BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT AND DECIDED TO REPLACE A DRIVE MECHANISM THAT DEALS WITH THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE SAME TIME THEY REPLACED A RECALL PART THE O2 SENSOR ON THE CAR. THEN TODAY SEPT 1ST I RECIEVE A CALL STATING A NOISE THE DEALER HEARD WHILE RUNNING MY CAR THROUGH THE CAR WASH IS THE FRONT AXLES GOING BAD. I AM AT A LOSS AND FRUSTRATED AND THE MAZDA HEADQUARTERS TELLS ME THEY CAN'T NOT DIAGONOSE THE DEALERSHIP IS CAPABLE AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME MAZDA HEADQUARTERS FOR REPAIR NEED TO ASSIST THEM. I HAVE PAID A LOT OF MONEY IN INSURANCE FOR RENTAL CARS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088979
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR ROTORS OF MY 2004 MAZDA 3 HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON THEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2003. RECENTLY I NOTICED GROOVES ON THE SURFACE OF THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10088904
2,100 miles · Aug 30, 2004
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE. *MR THE ENGINE AND POWER TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR AND WHILE DOING SO THERE WAS SUBSEQUENT OVER -REV OF THE ENGINE AT ANY SPEED WHILE IN 4TH GEAR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED IN 4TH GEAR. THIS WOULD BECOME A NO-CONTROL SITUATION. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10091775
12,000 miles · Aug 26, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE CREATING MORE DUST THAN THE FRONT BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089816
100 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Equipment
THE AIRCONDITIONER IN MY MAZDA 3 BARELY FUNCTIONS AT ALL. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. THEY STATED IT WAS UP TO STANDARDS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE STANDARD WAS, THEY SAID IF IT COOLED AT ALL IT PASSED THE STANDARD. WITH THE AIR ON, THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY POORLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED…
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THE AIRCONDITIONER IN MY MAZDA 3 BARELY FUNCTIONS AT ALL. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. THEY STATED IT WAS UP TO STANDARDS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE STANDARD WAS, THEY SAID IF IT COOLED AT ALL IT PASSED THE STANDARD. WITH THE AIR ON, THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY POORLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, YOU CAN FEEL SEVERAL STAGES OF JERKING AND POWER COMING ON AND OFF LIKE RELAYS ARE KICKING IN AND OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GAUGE HOW MUCH ACCELERATION YOU WILL GET WITH THE JERKING DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE AN E-MAIL FROM MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN OR IF THERE WILL BE A SOLUTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082981
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
I BOUGHT A NEW MAZDA 2004 I SEDAN.THE BRAKES MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE AT ALL TIMES ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINS AND WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.WHEN I BRAKE THE NOISE IS WORSE. THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL.AFTER IT RAINS AS I WROTE IT IS MUCH WORSE.THE MACHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE NOISE AT TIMES IS THE TIRES DUE T…
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I BOUGHT A NEW MAZDA 2004 I SEDAN.THE BRAKES MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE AT ALL TIMES ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINS AND WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.WHEN I BRAKE THE NOISE IS WORSE. THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL.AFTER IT RAINS AS I WROTE IT IS MUCH WORSE.THE MACHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE NOISE AT TIMES IS THE TIRES DUE TO THEIR SIZE 16 INCH.THE CAR ALSO WHEN I BRAKE AT A STOP GOES RIGHT OR LEFT AT TIMES.THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IF I GO DOWNHILL LEFT THEY WILL GO LEFT IF I GO DOWNHILL AND RIGHT AND BRAKE IN A RIGHT LANE THE TIRES WILL VEAR GO RIGHT. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE THE CAR VEARING LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN I COME TO A STOP. *AK
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year