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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.

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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.

21 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2023
Electrical System

When I take the key out of the ignition the car doesn't recognize the key is out and won't stop beeping. I can't use the key fob to lock or unlock the car. I have to use the original door key to lock and unlock or the alarm will go off. I have replace the ignition switch cylinder 2 times and it still doesnt work. There is a litt…

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When I take the key out of the ignition the car doesn't recognize the key is out and won't stop beeping. I can't use the key fob to lock or unlock the car. I have to use the original door key to lock and unlock or the alarm will go off. I have replace the ignition switch cylinder 2 times and it still doesnt work. There is a little bit of "play" that is keeping it from not beeping and beeping. I can take it out slowly and it will work but then it slips again and I get locked out of the car and the alarm goes off again until I use the key to manually unlock the car door.

NHTSA ODI #11502890

162,000 miles · Oct 9, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

MY CAR HAS BEEN LIKE LOOSING POWER WHEN IN STUCK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT IT GAS SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. NOW WHEN I PUT GAS ON IT AND TURN IT ON IT TURNS OFF SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT MUST BE POWER STEERING PUMP GWTTING DEFECTIVE. WELL NOW IT HAS NO POWER S…

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MY CAR HAS BEEN LIKE LOOSING POWER WHEN IN STUCK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT IT GAS SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. NOW WHEN I PUT GAS ON IT AND TURN IT ON IT TURNS OFF SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT MUST BE POWER STEERING PUMP GWTTING DEFECTIVE. WELL NOW IT HAS NO POWER STEERING BUT IT DOSENT SHOW THE LIGHT ON THE PANEL EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #11139236

146,533 miles · Jul 13, 2016
Electrical System

CAR WON'T START DUE TO CORROSION ON STARTER WIRE HARNESS. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WILL START BUT EVEN AFTER HAVING THE CORROSION CLEANED OFF THE WIRES, IT STILL WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME

NHTSA ODI #10884613

35,180 miles · Feb 24, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

PART 2 -(CONT.) RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). LETTERS FROM MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER PROVIDING NECESSARY REPAIR INFORMATION ETC. I AM ADDING THESE COMPLAINTS TO MY EXISTING COMPLAINT, AS DURING MY INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, DATED 8/24/15, I FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU, I…

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PART 2 -(CONT.) RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). LETTERS FROM MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER PROVIDING NECESSARY REPAIR INFORMATION ETC. I AM ADDING THESE COMPLAINTS TO MY EXISTING COMPLAINT, AS DURING MY INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, DATED 8/24/15, I FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU, IT STATES HOW MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IS IN THE WRONG POSITION, WHICH I HAD TO DECLINE TO HAVE FIXED, AS I AM FINANCIALLY UNAVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED AND COVERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE ALARMING ABOVE-MENTIONED E-MAILS I HAD RECEIVED AND BELIEVE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE CLEARLY RELATED. AND 3. (PART 1) RE: UNKNOWN/OR OTHER: AS A RESULT OF HAVING MY POWER STEERING ISSUE REPAIRED (INITIAL COMPLAINT), I WAS TOLD AFTER THE REPAIR BY A MR. CARLETON AT LIBERTY MAZDA, WAKEFIELD, MA, THAT WHEN MY RIGHT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL IS TURNED ON, IT NOW CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS EXTREMELY FAST (CODE B2899 RT DIRECTIONAL - EST FOR DIRECTIONAL WIRING TO JUST START TO LOCATE THE ISSUE IS LISTED ON THE SUBMITTED DIAGNOSTIC REPORT IS $220.00) BUT THAT IT SHOULDN'T EFFECT ME GETTING A NEW CAR INSPECTION STICKER OR ANYTHING, SO I HAD TO DECLINE FIXING DUE TO COST. (THIS ISSUE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AS WELL, THAT I HAVE FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU.) I AM ALSO UNABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED AS WELL, AND FOR THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST AT ALL BEFORE I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING FIXED AND THIS ISSUE APPEARED AFTER THAT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN FULL AND FIXED BY MANUFACTURER; 3. (PART 2.) CONTINUOUS ISSUE BEGINNING ROUGHLY 3-4 WEEKS OF PURCHASE (BOUGHT BRAND NEW, NOT USED): CLOCK IN VEHICLE IS SET TO THE PROPER TIME, BUT WILL ONLY LAST A MONTH MAYBE AT VERY MOST BEFORE IT CHANGES AUTO AND DISPLAYS A RANDOM TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10838057

130,000 miles · Jan 20, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10821171

71,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ,LOST POWER CANT TURN THE WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667143

71,290 miles · Nov 1, 2013
Electrical System

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I AM HAVING A PROBLEM. IT STARTED BY THE CAR NOT STARTING, THEN IT WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. BATTERY WAS NOT LOW, FLUIDS WERE PERFECT, EVERYTHING WAS TESTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. BUT THERE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. NOW, THE CAR STARTS BUT I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK AND THE LETTERS DON…

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THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I AM HAVING A PROBLEM. IT STARTED BY THE CAR NOT STARTING, THEN IT WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. BATTERY WAS NOT LOW, FLUIDS WERE PERFECT, EVERYTHING WAS TESTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. BUT THERE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. NOW, THE CAR STARTS BUT I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK AND THE LETTERS DON'T LIGHT UP WHEN I SHIFT GEARS. IT'S A SECURITY PROBLEM I BELIEVE BUT THERE ARE NOT MANY MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO LONG. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550576

78,000 miles · Dec 8, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 101N, I SAW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. STEERING WHEEL FELT STIFF AND I HAVE TO FIGHT IT TO KEEP THE CAR IN CONTROL WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN AT 45MI/HR. I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE OVER 20 TIME NOW. ON 12/7/12 THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SO MANY TIMES THAT I HAD TO PARK MY CAR AT A RANDOM SHOPPING CE…

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 101N, I SAW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. STEERING WHEEL FELT STIFF AND I HAVE TO FIGHT IT TO KEEP THE CAR IN CONTROL WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN AT 45MI/HR. I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE OVER 20 TIME NOW. ON 12/7/12 THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SO MANY TIMES THAT I HAD TO PARK MY CAR AT A RANDOM SHOPPING CENTER AND HAVE A FRIEND PICK ME UP. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT A SIMILAR ISSUE AS THE 07-9 MODEL, SO THEY HAVE TO CHARGE ME A $150 DIAGNOSTICS FEE. I AM CURRENTLY AT 94,385 MILES AND MY EXTENDED COVERAGE ALSO EXPIRED. BASED ON MY RESEARCH IT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO 1700-2000. I'M NOT SURE IF MAZDA GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT ID LIKE MY VOICE TO BE HEARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487752

129,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY SHUTS OFF, AND THE RADIO/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY AS WELL. ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE ALSO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY (FOR ABOUT ONE FULL SECOND). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I FEEL A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE …

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FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY SHUTS OFF, AND THE RADIO/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY AS WELL. ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE ALSO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY (FOR ABOUT ONE FULL SECOND). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I FEEL A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT A RECALL, AND THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE 2007 MODEL OF MAZDA 3S, BUT THE 2006 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460534

53,000 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES. WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE RADIO WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES UP ON THE DASH, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. SOMETIMES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THEN DOESN'T SHUT OFF. IT WASN'T TOO FREQUENT AT FIRST, BUT ON SOM…

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I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES. WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE RADIO WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES UP ON THE DASH, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. SOMETIMES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THEN DOESN'T SHUT OFF. IT WASN'T TOO FREQUENT AT FIRST, BUT ON SOME DAYS, IT WILL HAPPEN EVERYTIME I DRIVE SOMEWHERE. IT USUALLY OCCURS EARLY IN THE DRIVE. ONCE I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART, IT USUALLY RESETS AND MY CAR IS FINE. I HAVE SEEN THE RECALLS FOR THE 2007 MAZDA 3 MODELS, BUT I THINK MY CAR SHOULD ALSO BELONG IN THIS TOO. PLEASE HELP. THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447797

Official recalls

1

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.

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.