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2004 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
1,200 miles · Jul 29, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE A/C ON MY NEW CAR DOES NOT COOL THE CAR TO ANY COMFORT LEVEL.. I SWEAT IN THE HEAT WITH THE AC ON.IT DOESN'T COOL THE CAR INSIDE.I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY MAZDA DEALER THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE MAUFACTUER'S STANDARDS.I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING WITH THE AC ON WHEN PASSING AT 40MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IT…

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THE A/C ON MY NEW CAR DOES NOT COOL THE CAR TO ANY COMFORT LEVEL.. I SWEAT IN THE HEAT WITH THE AC ON.IT DOESN'T COOL THE CAR INSIDE.I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY MAZDA DEALER THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE MAUFACTUER'S STANDARDS.I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING WITH THE AC ON WHEN PASSING AT 40MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IT DRAGGED.I HAD TO FLLOOR THE GAS PEDAL ON A MAJORR INTERSTATE TO MOVE FROM 40-60,FROM TOO SLOW TO TOO FAST.I HAD SECONDS TO MOVE OR GET KILLED.THE AC DOES NOT WORK AND THE SERVICE MANAGERR TOLD ME I HAVE TOO SMALL AN ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE LARGER ENGINE THE( 2.3) YET THEY DENY ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AC SYSTEM.THE AC HASN'T WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY I NOTICED IT IN JULY.IT TOOK THREE WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT AN APPT. PLEASE IGNORE THE HOOD EQUIPMENT ADDED BELOW( NOTHIGN ADDDED AFTER CAR WAS SOLD) COULD NOT REMOVE EQUIPMENT ADDED IN THIS REPORT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082903

2,700 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST AND ROTOR WEAR ON MY REAR BRAKES. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE ALMOST NO DUST AT ALL. THIS STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, IT ONLY HAS 2700 MILES ON IT NOW.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082504

3,000 miles · Jun 19, 2004
Tires

ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE OF MY BRAND NEW MAZDA3, I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURES. ALL 4 TYRES WERE 50 PSI!! 18 PSI MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE AND 6 PSI MORE THAN MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PRESSURE. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE, I MADE SURE THAT THE DEVICE WAS MEASURING ACCURATELY AND ALSO ASK SOMEBODY…

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ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE OF MY BRAND NEW MAZDA3, I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURES. ALL 4 TYRES WERE 50 PSI!! 18 PSI MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE AND 6 PSI MORE THAN MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PRESSURE. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE, I MADE SURE THAT THE DEVICE WAS MEASURING ACCURATELY AND ALSO ASK SOMEBODY ELSE TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE. YES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE 50 PSI. I DROVE THAT VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 3000 MILES MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY WITH THOSE OVER INFLATED TIRES!!! I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. EITHER THE DEALER (COOK MAZDA IN MICHIGAN) OR IN SOME OTHER MAZDA FACILITY, THE TIRES WERE OVERINFLATED PROBABLY BECAUSE OF AN UNCALIBRATED TOOL. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY MAZDA CAR WITH OVERINFLATED TIRES IN TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10078489

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Service Brakes, Air

BRAKES LEAVE A LOT OF DUST ALL OVER THE TIRES, RIMS, AND BODY OF CAR. THE CAR STOPS SHARPLY. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. NOT A PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074826

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE DISC/PAD WEAR. DRIVER DOOR RATTLING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074639

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 1,500 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY HARSHLY AND ABRUPTLY FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. EVENTUALLY, I COULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 30 MPH FOR FEAR OF SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR. DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS OUT OF SERVI…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 1,500 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY HARSHLY AND ABRUPTLY FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. EVENTUALLY, I COULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 30 MPH FOR FEAR OF SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR. DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR A WEEK. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10074489

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2004
Fuel System, Other

2004 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS PROBLEMS WITH STARTING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE IT WAS TAKING UPWARDS OF 8 SECONDS AND 2 ATTEMPTS BEFORE CAR WOULD START. THE CAR HAD 643 MILES WHEN I TOOK IT IN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 4 SECONDS TO START, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL FOR A …

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2004 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS PROBLEMS WITH STARTING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE IT WAS TAKING UPWARDS OF 8 SECONDS AND 2 ATTEMPTS BEFORE CAR WOULD START. THE CAR HAD 643 MILES WHEN I TOOK IT IN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 4 SECONDS TO START, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ALSO THERE IS RATTLE SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH OF THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10073022

150 miles · May 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THERE IS BRAKE NOISE IN MY 2004 MODEL YEAR MAZDA 3. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY CAR 3 DAYS AGO. I NOTICED THE NOISE IN THE FIRST DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE CAR IS NEW AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR IN A FEW DAYS. BUT IT IS NOT DISAPPEARING ON THE CONTRARY IT IS NOW MORE NOTICEABLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER …

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THERE IS BRAKE NOISE IN MY 2004 MODEL YEAR MAZDA 3. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY CAR 3 DAYS AGO. I NOTICED THE NOISE IN THE FIRST DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE CAR IS NEW AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR IN A FEW DAYS. BUT IT IS NOT DISAPPEARING ON THE CONTRARY IT IS NOW MORE NOTICEABLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE COLD OR HOT. IT ALWAYS MAKES THAT NOISE. VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR IS: [XXX] THANKS, [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10072924

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BREAK PADS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY FAST AND THE ROTERS ARE BEGINNING TO SHOW MAJOR PITTING/GROOVING. (THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND HAS LESS THEN 3000 MILES ON IT). *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072909

1,800 miles · May 19, 2004
Power Train

VEHICLE OVERVIEW: MY 2004 MAZDA3 S SEDAN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS AND HAS 16" INCH FACTORY WHEELS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: AFTER APROXIMATELY 1800 MILES OF DRIVING (CITY/HIGHWAY), I BEGAN TO NOTICE SLIGHT DISCOLORED BANDS ON EACH OF THE BRAKE ROTOR DISCS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS. AFTER ANOT…

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VEHICLE OVERVIEW: MY 2004 MAZDA3 S SEDAN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS AND HAS 16" INCH FACTORY WHEELS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: AFTER APROXIMATELY 1800 MILES OF DRIVING (CITY/HIGHWAY), I BEGAN TO NOTICE SLIGHT DISCOLORED BANDS ON EACH OF THE BRAKE ROTOR DISCS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS. AFTER ANOTHER 600 MILES OF DRIVING, I BEGAN TO NOTICE GROOVING IN THE PLACES WITH THE DISCOLORED BANDS. AT THIS POINT, THE GROOVE COULD BE FELT BY A FINGERTIP. THE GROOVES ARE VISIBLE ON THE OUTWARD SIDE OF EACH ROTOR. I HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF EACH ROTOR (THE SIDE THAT WOULD BE CLOSEST TO THE VECHICLE CHASSIS) TO VERIFY GROOVING ON EITHER SIDE. EFFORTS TO CORRECT: I HAVE REQUESTED THAT MY DEALERSHIP INSPECT THE BRAKES, AND THEY HAVE ALSO NOTED THE GROOVING. HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS OTHER THAN RE-SURFACING EACH ROTOR. THIS WILL PREMATURELY WEAR MY BRAKING COMPONENTS, SO I DECLINED THIS OFFER. ALSO, SIMPLY RESURFACING THE BRAKE ROTORS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF WHAT IS CAUSING THE GROOVING IN THE FIRST PLACE. OUTCOME: BRAKING POWER AND STABILITY REMAIN UNAFFECTED IN SPITE OF THE GROOVES. HOWEVER, THE LONGEVITY OF THE BRAKES IS DIMINISHED. I AM UNCERTAIN WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE WITH CONTINUED GROOVING. THIS IS A FORESHADOWING TO PREMATURE BRAKE COMPONENT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10072892

Official recalls

2

21V494000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 1, 2021

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.

04V468000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 24, 2004

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.