IllustrationI HAVE, HAD (2), TWO BRAND NEW SET, OF TIRES FROM FIRESTONE PUT ON THIS CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD ONLY THOSE TWO SETS CAN ONLY BE PUT ON THIS MAZDA 3. THE CAR KEEP BUCKING ON EVERY STREET AND EVERY ROAD. EVERY DAY AND EVENING.
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
230–25K
2025–50K
2250–75K
2275–100K
26100–150K
11150K+
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
Wheels complaints
3 reportsTHE BACK REAR WHEEL WELLS COLLECT SO MUCH DIRT AND SALT IT ENDS UP RUSTING IT OUT! THERE NEEDS TO BE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE WHEEL WELLS OR BETTER DRAIN HOLES! I WASH MY CAR EVERY WEEK IN THE WINTER AND IT IS STILL HARD TO PREVENT IT! THE REAR STRUT MOUNT TAKES A TOLL ON THE ABUSE FROM ALL THE SALT AND DIRT THAT COLLECTS NEAR THE …
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THE BACK REAR WHEEL WELLS COLLECT SO MUCH DIRT AND SALT IT ENDS UP RUSTING IT OUT! THERE NEEDS TO BE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE WHEEL WELLS OR BETTER DRAIN HOLES! I WASH MY CAR EVERY WEEK IN THE WINTER AND IT IS STILL HARD TO PREVENT IT! THE REAR STRUT MOUNT TAKES A TOLL ON THE ABUSE FROM ALL THE SALT AND DIRT THAT COLLECTS NEAR THE TOP WHERE IT IS SCREWED IN! HAD MY STRUT BREAK TWICE IN ONE MONTH! THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER DRAIN HOLES FOR THE DOORS TOO! *TR
HAD A RIM ON A MAZDA 3 COME APART AFTER HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH THE RIM CLEARLY HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE TO CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE FOR SUCH MINIMAL IMPACT. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE EXCEPT BUY A NEW DEFECTIVE RIM TO REPLACE THE…
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HAD A RIM ON A MAZDA 3 COME APART AFTER HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH THE RIM CLEARLY HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE TO CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE FOR SUCH MINIMAL IMPACT. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE EXCEPT BUY A NEW DEFECTIVE RIM TO REPLACE THE OLD DEFECTIVE RIM. *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.