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2005 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 20 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

97 reports
47,000 miles · Oct 19, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA3, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HE LEFT THE ROADWAY, BROKE THRU A FARM PROPERTY FENCE, SPUN AROUND, WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SECTION OF FENCE, THEN IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A LARGE HEMLOCK TREE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. HE W…

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MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA3, 4 DOOR SEDAN. HE LEFT THE ROADWAY, BROKE THRU A FARM PROPERTY FENCE, SPUN AROUND, WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SECTION OF FENCE, THEN IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A LARGE HEMLOCK TREE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT, AND FEELS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED, BECAUSE NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, OR NEITHER OF THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE PHOTOS, THE CAR WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #10206279

57,000 miles · Jul 16, 2007
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FELL SOMEHOW AND MY LEFT DRIVESHAFT IS CRACKED. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, IN MARCH 2007, MY LEFT DRIVE AXLE WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP AFTER DRIVE AXLE BENT AND BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196494

5,792 miles · Apr 30, 2007
SeatsCrash

I WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE CAR, STOPPED AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. DRIVER OF A PICK-UP TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH FAILED TO BRAKE ADEQUATELY AND SLAMMED SQUARELY INTO THE REAR OF MY 2005 MAZDA SEDAN. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED LUCKILY AS THE CAR WAS NOT FORCED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD. HOWE…

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I WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE CAR, STOPPED AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. DRIVER OF A PICK-UP TRUCK, TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH FAILED TO BRAKE ADEQUATELY AND SLAMMED SQUARELY INTO THE REAR OF MY 2005 MAZDA SEDAN. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED LUCKILY AS THE CAR WAS NOT FORCED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD. HOWEVER THE SEATBACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED VIOLENTLY BACKWARDS JUST AFTER MY HEAD STRUCK THE RESTRAINT BOLSTER. I AM CERTAIN THAT THE SEAT BACK WAS PROPERLY LATCHED BEFORE THE CRASH AND SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED TO HOLD IT UPRIGHT. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED THE SEATBACK LATCHING MECHANISM SEEMS TO BE WORKING, BUT NO REPAIR WORK WAS DONE TO THE SEAT. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE TO ME THAT THIS DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY WOULD WITHSTAND ANOTHER CRASH OF ANY SORT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10189306

30,000 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 MAZDA 3 WITH 30K MILES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN STALLING WHEN STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED LATER IN THE WEEK. IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS NOW AND I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. …

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2005 MAZDA 3 WITH 30K MILES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN STALLING WHEN STOPPED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED LATER IN THE WEEK. IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS NOW AND I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I'LL GIVE DEALER ONE MORE CHANCE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM OR I'LL TRY SOMEONE ELSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185160

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ON A 2005 MAZDA 3S WITH 39,000 MILES, ABOUT 30-35 MPH HAD TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, UPON ACCELERATION TO REGAIN DESIRED SPEED THE CAR STALLED, LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM, ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT THE CAR HAD LO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ON A 2005 MAZDA 3S WITH 39,000 MILES, ABOUT 30-35 MPH HAD TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, UPON ACCELERATION TO REGAIN DESIRED SPEED THE CAR STALLED, LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM, ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT THE CAR HAD LOST POWER, BY THEN I BARELY HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO PULL INTO THE MEDIAN AND TURN ON MY HAZARDS LIGHTS. TOOK A FEW TRIES TO GET THE CAR BACK ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT ALL STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MAZDA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT IS LOOKING AT THE ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183637

29,000 miles · Jan 4, 2007
Air BagsFuel System, GasolineSeatsCrashInjury

MY WIFE SONDRA WAS STOPPED IN OUR 2005 MAZDA3 WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A 2001 MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN IT STUCK OUR CAR. OUR CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, INJURIES WERE, 8 STITCHES TO THE…

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MY WIFE SONDRA WAS STOPPED IN OUR 2005 MAZDA3 WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A 2001 MALIBU. THE VEHICLE WAS DOING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN IT STUCK OUR CAR. OUR CAR WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, INJURIES WERE, 8 STITCHES TO THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE, BACK AND NECK INJURIES, SHE IS UNDER GOING THERAPY AND IS WAITING FOR MORE TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE REASON THAT I AM CONTACTING YOU IS BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SAFETY THAT FAILED. 1. THE DRIVERS SEATBACK BROKE DURING IMPACT. 2. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN SHE STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF HER. 3. THE EMERGENCY SWITCH THAT SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED FROM ALL THE DAMAGE, THE CAR IS VALUED AT $ 18,700.00. I EMAILED MAZDA APPROX. 10 DAYS AGO ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177787

23,000 miles · Sep 13, 2006
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 3 IN 2005 I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES & THE ROTORS. THIS CAR WAS ALWAYS AT MAZDA FOR SOMETHING. THEN IN JULY, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER WENT OUT ON THE CAR,I LOST ALL BRAKES & STEERING & RAN INTO A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOM…

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SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 3 IN 2005 I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES & THE ROTORS. THIS CAR WAS ALWAYS AT MAZDA FOR SOMETHING. THEN IN JULY, 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER WENT OUT ON THE CAR,I LOST ALL BRAKES & STEERING & RAN INTO A MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT & ONCE AGAIN THE CAR STALLED ON ME. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA & LET THEM KNOW THE PROBLEM & AFTER 4 DAYS & DRIVING THE CAR A TOTAL OF 9 MILES THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR & THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING WHEN THEY DROVE IT. I JUST HAD A DAMAGED RIM AND NEEDED THE CAR RE-ALIGNED. WHEN I WENT TO GET THE CAR I WAS VERY UPSET AT THE COST I HAD TO PAY WHEN THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. THE CASHIER CALLED THE MANAGER & I EXPLAINED EVERYTHING TO HIM. HE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THIS & SAID THAT IF I WAS HIS WIFE HE WOULD NOT PUT ME BACK INTO THIS VEHICLE & PUT ME IN A RENTAL FOR THE WEEKEND. ON MON. HE CALLED & SAID HE DROVE IT PERSONALLY & HE TOO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG SO HE SAID TO COME PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THEN ON TUES,AUG. 22, 2006 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I TURNED MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON (KEEP IN MIND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I HAD THEM CHANGE THE WIPER BLADES) & THE RT WINDSHIELD WIPER FLEW OFF MY CAR. I GOT OUT & PUT IT BACK ON AND IT CAME OFF AGAIN. AFTER WORK MY BOSS SAID THE WIPER WAS BROKEN & THREW IT IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. WE THEN LEFT WORK. ABOUT 3 MINS LATER I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH & ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER WENT OUT. I HAD NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NOTHING...ONCE AGAIN AND IN FRONT OF ME WAS AN ABOVE GROUND CEMENT MANHOLE WE HAVE ON THE BASE & I KNEW I WAS GOING TO HIT IT SO I JUST HELD ON TIGHT.THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS PEOPLE SCREAMING ARE YOU OK & WHEN I OPENED MY EYES I WAS UPSIDE DOWN. I FLEW IN THE AIR & LANDED ON THE CAR BEHIND ME & CAME WITHIN AN INCH OF GOING INTO HIS WINDSHIELD BUT THAT ALSO SAVED MY LIFE THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID. SO NOW MY CAR IS TOTALED.*NM

NHTSA ODI #10168173

20,000 miles · Sep 6, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, ALL POWER FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED TO THE LEFT INTO TRAFFIC ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE FIRST THREE OCCASIONS, BUT DIAGNOSTICS FAILED TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. ON THE 4TH OCCASION …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, ALL POWER FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED TO THE LEFT INTO TRAFFIC ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE FIRST THREE OCCASIONS, BUT DIAGNOSTICS FAILED TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. ON THE 4TH OCCASION WHEN THE POWER FAILED, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND POLICE RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER ALONG WITH BRUISING TO THE UPPER BODY. SEATBELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY THE CONTACT. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167481

25,908 miles · Jul 19, 2006
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

2005 MAZDA 3S WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE MAIN RELAY AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP & GAUGE TWICE BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *KB THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBL…

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2005 MAZDA 3S WOULD NOT START. MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE MAIN RELAY AND REPLACED FUEL PUMP & GAUGE TWICE BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *KB THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MAZDA TECH SUPPORT WAS CALLED AND THE THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE FUEL CANISTER. IT WAS REPLACED ON JUNE 22, 2006. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163696

5,000 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Equipment

HI I HAVE A MAZDA 3S 4 DR SEDAN BUILD DATE MARCH-2005 THE AC IN THIS CAR IS NON FUNCTIONAL AND DOES NOT WORK THERE ARE LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE SAME CAR OVER THE INTERNET AND LOOKS LIKE DEALERS AS WELL AS MAZDA IS NOT TAKING A NOTE OF IT I WENT TO DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND AFTER THEIR TESTING THEY TOLD ME T…

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HI I HAVE A MAZDA 3S 4 DR SEDAN BUILD DATE MARCH-2005 THE AC IN THIS CAR IS NON FUNCTIONAL AND DOES NOT WORK THERE ARE LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE SAME CAR OVER THE INTERNET AND LOOKS LIKE DEALERS AS WELL AS MAZDA IS NOT TAKING A NOTE OF IT I WENT TO DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM AND AFTER THEIR TESTING THEY TOLD ME THAT AC IS WORKING NORMAL WHICH IS NOT CORRECT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154375

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.

04V559000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 22, 2004

ON TWO PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE SOLDER CONNECTION ATTACHING THE ACCELERATION SENSOR IN THE SAS UNIT MADE CONTACT WITH THE BASE PLATE, DAMAGING THE SOLDER CONNECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES. THE TWO VEHICLE OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004, AND THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

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.