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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.

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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
85,000 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Air Bags

AIRBAG/SRS LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V468000. DIAGNOSIS AND ESTIMATE WAS FOR A DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER AND AN AIRBAG MODULE. THEY QUOTED $818.59 PARTS AND LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263243

65,000 miles · Feb 11, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE GREAT FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE GREAT FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10258346

100,000 miles · Jan 14, 2009
Visibility

THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM, THE WIND SHIELD WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN HAS A GLITTERING EFFECT. NO MATTER HOW CLEAN IT ID. AS OF NOW WE HAVEN'T REPLACED IT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS AS IT'S HARD TO SEE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254939

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2008
Power Train

THERE WERE NO MAJOR EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, JUST NORMAL COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. THE FAILURE WAS MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, WHICH FAILED COMPLETELY, 1 OCCURRENCE WHICH HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY WINDOW. NO IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECT BUT LONG TERM RAMIFICATIONS DUE TO STRESSES PLACED ON OTHER MOTOR…

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THERE WERE NO MAJOR EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, JUST NORMAL COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. THE FAILURE WAS MY PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, WHICH FAILED COMPLETELY, 1 OCCURRENCE WHICH HAPPENED JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY WINDOW. NO IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECT BUT LONG TERM RAMIFICATIONS DUE TO STRESSES PLACED ON OTHER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS STILL UNKNOWN. MOTOR MOUNT PURCHASED AND REPLACED BY MYSELF. OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253127

82,200 miles · Dec 23, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. SINCE 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,036. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. SINCE 2007, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,036. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,200.

NHTSA ODI #10252637

24,000 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE HAS OC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN THREE TIMES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10244496

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2008
TiresCrash

2004 MAZDA 3 WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT THEN THE DRIVER SPUN OUT AND STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER. *NJ (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0278-89)*JB LETTER UPDATED 03/17/10*BF UPDATED 04/13/10 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10240466

65,000 miles · Aug 1, 2008
Parking BrakeCrash

EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT HOLD, CAUSED DAMAGE TO CAR AND PRIVATE PROPERTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236591

40,000 miles · May 28, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2004 MAZDA 3-MANUAL (5 SPEED). IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND EACH YEAR I GET IT INSPECTED. EVERY YEAR LARGE AMOUNTS OF BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATES ON THE REAR WHEELS FROM THE REAR BRAKES. AS A RESULT THE BRAKE PADS ON THE REAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN WHILE THE FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE UNTOUCHED. THIS, ACCORDING TO MY SERV…

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I OWN A 2004 MAZDA 3-MANUAL (5 SPEED). IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND EACH YEAR I GET IT INSPECTED. EVERY YEAR LARGE AMOUNTS OF BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATES ON THE REAR WHEELS FROM THE REAR BRAKES. AS A RESULT THE BRAKE PADS ON THE REAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN WHILE THE FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE UNTOUCHED. THIS, ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE PROFESSIONAL IS AN INDICATION OF A FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE ONLY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES A FEW TIMES WHILE I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN CONTACTING 3 DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALERSHIPS I WAS TOLD IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE BACK BREAKS AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR THE FRONT SINCE THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS FAILED TO ENGAGE THE ABS 2 TIMES, LUCKILY THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND ME AND MISS ME. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY BRAKES FAILING TO ENGAGE ON THE FRONT! THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229081

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2008
Structure

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 MAZDA3 SPORT GT WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUSTPROOFED BY KROWN SINCE IT'S FIRST YEAR, IS WASHED AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK (MORE OFTEN IN WINTER MONTHS), AND IS OTHERWISE VERY WELL MAINTAINED. CURRENTLY I AM HAVING TO DEAL WITH A MAJOR RUST ISSUE WHICH, FROM READING MAZDA FORUM EN…

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 MAZDA3 SPORT GT WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUSTPROOFED BY KROWN SINCE IT'S FIRST YEAR, IS WASHED AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK (MORE OFTEN IN WINTER MONTHS), AND IS OTHERWISE VERY WELL MAINTAINED. CURRENTLY I AM HAVING TO DEAL WITH A MAJOR RUST ISSUE WHICH, FROM READING MAZDA FORUM ENTRIES, IS PROVING TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON IN MY YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN COMPLETE RUSTING ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WHICH HAS BEEN MENTIONED TO MY DEALERSHIP, TO NO AVAIL. NOW I ALSO HAVE RUSTING AT THE BOTTOM OF BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS, AND AT THE SEAMS BY THE BUMPER. ASIDE FROM THAT ISSUE, THE PAINT ON ALL 4 DOORS AND ON THE LIFTGATE (IT IS A HATCHBACK) IS BLISTERING! I DID BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS FLATLY TOLD THAT THERE IS ONLY A "PERFORATION" WARRANTY WHICH ONLY PERTAINS TO ACTUAL HOLES. MAZDA CANADA IS THEREFORE UNWILLING TO HELP DEFRAY ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERABLE REPAIR BILL. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO 3 SHOPS TO GET REPAIR ESTIMATES WHICH RANGE IN COST FROM $1000 TO FIX JUST THE OBVIOUS RUST SPOTS TO $1800 TO ALSO ADDRESS ALL THE BLISTERING. BASICALLY MOST OF THE CAR, WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF THE FRONT HOOD (WHICH I HAD COVERED IN CLEAR COATING WHEN I GOT IT) AND THE ROOF, NEEDS TO BE SANDBLASTED AND COMPLETELY REFINISHED TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE. ALL SHOPS I'VE SPOKEN TO FIND THIS RUSTING/BLISTERING ISSUE ON A 2004 WELL-MAINTAINED CAR TO BE VERY UNUSUAL AND ATTRIBUTE IT TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. ONE PLACE EVEN MENTIONED THAT HE RECENTLY REFINISHED TWO OTHER MAZDA 3S IN THE SAME COLOR AS MINE (WINNING BLUE). SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THE ORIGINAL PAINTING OF THE CARS, MAZDA CANADA SHOULD RECOGNIZE THIS AND OFFER ITS CUSTOMERS SOME LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE. ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PAINT REPAIRS ARE QUITE COSTLY, THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. AS IS, MY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN BRUSHED OFF AND IGNORED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228764

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.