SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
145Owner complaints

Model-year median: 108

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
145
200497
2005166
2006222
2007
Compare all MAZDA3 years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
25Service Brakes, Hydraulic
25Power Train
24Steering
19Engine And Engine Cooling
17
All reported categories
Tires
9Electrical System
8Exterior Lighting
8Structure
8Equipment
5Engine
4Fuel System, Gasoline
3Seat Belts
3Suspension
3Fuel System, Other
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Parking Brake
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Air
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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
59,237 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels

FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILS PREMATURELY. MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 58K MILES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING AT 68K MILES AND NEEDS REPLACING. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER, AND THAT CONTINUED DRIVING WITH A BAD BEARING COULD LEAD TO WHEEL LOCKUP AND AN A…

Read full complaint

FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILS PREMATURELY. MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 58K MILES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING AT 68K MILES AND NEEDS REPLACING. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE PARTS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER, AND THAT CONTINUED DRIVING WITH A BAD BEARING COULD LEAD TO WHEEL LOCKUP AND AN ACCIDENT. MANY OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR FAILURE ON INTERNET FORUMS. MAZDA WON'T REPAIR THIS FREE OF CHARGE SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418412

51,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH AN OIL FILTER HOUSING CRACK. THE DEALER ALSO OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH AN OIL FILTER HOUSING CRACK. THE DEALER ALSO OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10410203

50,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Power Train

1) DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY, AT 4TH GEAR. 2) TRANSMISSION FAILED TO PUT POWER INTO THE WHEELS, CAUSING THE CAR TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN THOUGH RPM RISES WHEN THROTTLE IS PRESSED. ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEARS ARE ABLE TO TRANSFER POWER FROM ENGINE TO WHEELS. 3) DEALER REFUSE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH MALFUNCT…

Read full complaint

1) DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY, AT 4TH GEAR. 2) TRANSMISSION FAILED TO PUT POWER INTO THE WHEELS, CAUSING THE CAR TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN THOUGH RPM RISES WHEN THROTTLE IS PRESSED. ONLY 1ST AND 2ND GEARS ARE ABLE TO TRANSFER POWER FROM ENGINE TO WHEELS. 3) DEALER REFUSE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH MALFUNCTIONING OF THIS PARTICULAR PART ARE APPARENT TO MANY OF THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408736

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2011
StructureWheels

I BOUGHT A CAR RECENTLY, AND IT HAD SOME RUST ON BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS IN THE SAME EXACT SPOTS. I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA 3I AND I TOOK IT TO ABOUT 4 BODY SHOPS TO HAVE IT WORKED ON. I GOT PRICES RANGING FROM 1000.00 DOLLARS TO 2500.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THE RUST. ALL OF THESE BODY SHOPS SAID THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON WITH T…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A CAR RECENTLY, AND IT HAD SOME RUST ON BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS IN THE SAME EXACT SPOTS. I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA 3I AND I TOOK IT TO ABOUT 4 BODY SHOPS TO HAVE IT WORKED ON. I GOT PRICES RANGING FROM 1000.00 DOLLARS TO 2500.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THE RUST. ALL OF THESE BODY SHOPS SAID THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME CAR AND THE SAME COMPLAINT AS I DID. MAZDA NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY 1000 DOLLARS TO GET MY CAR FIXED. MAZDA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407303

82,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10402673

105,000 miles · Apr 7, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE SHIFTING CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE SHIFTING CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $778.00. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V468000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE JANUARY 7, 2007. THE DEALER REPLACED A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM UNIT, THE PASSENGER SEAT FRAME AND INSTALLED AN AIR BAG SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,850. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 2/1/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10395122

38,000 miles · Mar 17, 2011
Power Train

AFTER LESS THAN 40,000 MILES THE CLUTCH IN MY 2004 MAZDA 3 FAILED COMPLETELY AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR BILL COST ME $1,100. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390510

125,000 miles · Mar 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

POWER STEERING FAILURE, ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386272

96,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Power Train

2004 MAZDA 3 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES. 1ST OFFENSE, IT REQUIRED A PCM VALVE/SOLENOID REPLACED., 2ND OFFENSE: TRANSMISSION LOST 4TH GEAR AND WONT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. CAR IS IN A SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. ONLY GOES UP TO 35 MPH IF SHIFT MANUALLY AND IN 3RD GEAR, OTHERWISE IT REVS, JERKS, STALLS, ETC . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378690

100,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Steering

I LOVE MY 04 MAZDA 3, HOWEVER IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS I LOSE THE POWER STEERING. THE WHEEL ALMOST COMPLETELY LOCKS. IN 2 INSTANCES THE GAUGES HAVE GONE UP AND DOWN. I TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT SEEMS TO HELP. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW, HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375119

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.