1. MANUFACTURING DEFECT? 2. FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR INTERMITTENT (OPEN CIRCUIT ERROR). CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT CLUSTER TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN ILLUMINATED AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. 3. REPLACED FRONT CRASH SENSOR. *TR
2006 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 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
Compare all MAZDA3 years →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
124 reports with mileage · 42 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.
- Steering. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
27 reports2006 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS 80LB WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED SOMETIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, THE PASSENGER MUST KEEP BOTH LEGS EXTENDED AND SIT UP STRAIGHT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PASSEN…
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2006 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS 80LB WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED SOMETIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, THE PASSENGER MUST KEEP BOTH LEGS EXTENDED AND SIT UP STRAIGHT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND PRETENSIONER FROM BEING INACTIVATE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE IDLING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CRASH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NECK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS. THE CONTACT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE IDLING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CRASH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NECK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, HOWEVER, HER FACE STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. ON MARCH 14, 2007 WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A 2005 KIA OPTIMA TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE LEFT, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. ON MARCH 14, 2007 WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A 2005 KIA OPTIMA TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE LEFT, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEVERE SPRAIN TO HIS RIGHT WRIST, ANKLE AND KNEE, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 22000. *AK
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING OVER 30 MPH IN A PERPENDICULAR DIRECTION. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS CAUGHT ON A TRIM PIECE AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT REACH THEIR DESIGN INTENT LOCATIONS. I HAV…
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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING OVER 30 MPH IN A PERPENDICULAR DIRECTION. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS CAUGHT ON A TRIM PIECE AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT REACH THEIR DESIGN INTENT LOCATIONS. I HAVE A PICTURE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW THROUGH ME. NO ADDITIONAL INJURIES OCCURRED DUE TO THE LACK OF PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *JB
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO MY MAZDA3 THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO YOUR CERTIFIED MAZDA REPAIR CENTER 5 (FIVE) TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS OF REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE SAFETY AND VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SITUATION RESOLVED AT ONCE SO THAT I CAN GO ON WITH MY LIFE WITHOUT THE WORRY…
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I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO MY MAZDA3 THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO YOUR CERTIFIED MAZDA REPAIR CENTER 5 (FIVE) TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS OF REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE SAFETY AND VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SITUATION RESOLVED AT ONCE SO THAT I CAN GO ON WITH MY LIFE WITHOUT THE WORRY OF PAYING FOR A LEMON CAR AND STOP HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND IN A RENTAL CAR THAT IS LESS FUEL EFFICIENT AND LESS COMFORTABLE THAN MY CAR. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR REASONS I REQUESTED SERVICE FOR MY CAR: 1. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. 2. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON AN ONCOMING RAMP OF RT. 202 TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD HARDLY PULL THE CAR OVER BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TOO HEAVY TO OPERATE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. 3. ANOTHER MAJOR REASON FOR MY SAFETY WORRIES IS THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON CONSTANTLY. AFTER AN EXPERT VISIT, I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE GETTING A NEW CAR. 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE PAPERWORK PROCESSES WAS COMPLETED A NEW CAR WAS READY FOR ME TO PICK UP, SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I HAD TO PAY $2,300 IN ORDER TO TAKE THE NEW CAR. THEN THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD BY YOU ON THE PHONE THAT THE DEAL WAS CANCELLED BY MAZDA BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THIS UNFAIR RESOLUTION. THEN THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP PERSONALLY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO PURCHASE MY CAR, SELL IT TO ANOTHER CONSUMER AND THEN SELL ME A NEW CAR. THERE ARE TWO THINGS UNETHICAL ABOUT THIS: 1. YOU CANNOT SELL A CAR WITH SAFETY DEFECTS TO ANOTHER CONSUMER. 2. YOU CANNOT LEAVE ME WITH NO OPTION BUT TO TRADE IN MY CAR AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR WHEN THIS CAR IS A LEMON. BASED ON THE PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL DESCRIPTION MY CAR IS A LEMON CAR. I FEEL THAT I HAVE DONE ALL THAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE IN THIS MATTER AND HAVE YET TO SEE ANY RESULTS. *JB
1. VEHICLE (06 MAZDA3) INVOLVED IN 70+ MPH FREEWAY ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED VEHICLE. 2. VEHICLE TOOK HEAVY IMPACT(S) FRONT (MULTIPLE) AND REAR. 3. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NM
Official recalls
121V494000 · 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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