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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

166 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10182231

8,000 miles · Feb 2, 2007
SeatsCrashInjury

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER TO FAIL. THE SEAT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.THIS CRASH HAPPENED UNDER WET CONDITIO…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER TO FAIL. THE SEAT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.THIS CRASH HAPPENED UNDER WET CONDITIONS. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181438

1,000 miles · Nov 18, 2006
Power Train

SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, IT IS VERY ROUGH. VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF WEATHER IT IS OUTSIDE NOR DOES IT MATTER IF THE ENGINE IS WARM OR COLD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES AND NO PARTICULAR TIME OF THE DAY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173783

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

2006 MAZDA 3I TOURING STALLED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THE POWER STEERING MADE STRANGE NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A U-TURN OR PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169093

30 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2006 MAZDA3 I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THE REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THEY WERE GRINDING SO LOUD I COULD HEAR THEM OVER THE RADIO ON LEVEL 2 IN VOLUME. I SHOULD NOT HEAR THEM AT ALL!! I HAD UNDER 30 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GENTLEMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THIS …

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THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2006 MAZDA3 I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THE REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THEY WERE GRINDING SO LOUD I COULD HEAR THEM OVER THE RADIO ON LEVEL 2 IN VOLUME. I SHOULD NOT HEAR THEM AT ALL!! I HAD UNDER 30 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GENTLEMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THIS IS VERY COMMON , THAT ALL DO IT. I AM SORRY , I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE HAPPENING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS DONE THAT UNLESS THE BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS DIDN'T NEED REPLACED. NOW, 2 MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES ARE STILL DOING IT, AND SEEM TO BE EVEN LOUDER WITH A SMALL SQUEAK ADDED IN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167798

32,000 miles · Sep 4, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2004 MAZDA 3 IS EXPERIENCING GREATLY ACCELERATED REAR BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR, BOTH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BY 32K MILES. THIS IS AT LEAST 3X FASTER WEAR THAN NORMAL. FRONT BRAKES SHOW LITTLE WEAR AND LOOK TO LAST UP TO 100K MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS SAY NOT. MANY '04 AND '05 MAZDA 3 O…

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MY 2004 MAZDA 3 IS EXPERIENCING GREATLY ACCELERATED REAR BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR, BOTH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BY 32K MILES. THIS IS AT LEAST 3X FASTER WEAR THAN NORMAL. FRONT BRAKES SHOW LITTLE WEAR AND LOOK TO LAST UP TO 100K MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS SAY NOT. MANY '04 AND '05 MAZDA 3 OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. COULD THIS PROBLEM BE THE RESULT OF IMPROPER FRONT/REAR BRAKE BIAS OR DEFECTIVE PARTS/MATERIALS? COULD THIS SITUATION LEAD TO IMPROPER/UNSAFE BRAKING PERFORMANCE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167303

6,000 miles · Aug 29, 2006
Air BagsCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #10166872

12,500 miles · Aug 24, 2006
Electrical System

AFTER USING AN EXTERNAL GPS 2-3 WEEKS AGO, THE CLOCK, REMOTE LOCKS, RADIO, AND OUTDOOR TEMP. GAUGE FAILED. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN THE DEALER 'COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM.' THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS OCCURRED NO EXTERNAL DEVICES WERE USED. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL OR SERVICE AD…

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AFTER USING AN EXTERNAL GPS 2-3 WEEKS AGO, THE CLOCK, REMOTE LOCKS, RADIO, AND OUTDOOR TEMP. GAUGE FAILED. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN THE DEALER 'COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM.' THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS OCCURRED NO EXTERNAL DEVICES WERE USED. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL OR SERVICE ADVISORY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166486

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2006
Power Train

2006 MAZDA 3 GOES INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTED INTO FOURTH GEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THERE IS NO MECHANICAL ISOLATION BETWEEN THE 4TH GEAR AND REVERSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10166886

301 miles · Aug 10, 2006
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING IN "MANUAL" MODE ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION COULD ALSO BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAR, AS IF THE ENTIRE CAR WERE "WOBBLING". DROVE STRAIGHT HOME; HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT HAS BEEN …

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WHILE DRIVING IN "MANUAL" MODE ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION COULD ALSO BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAR, AS IF THE ENTIRE CAR WERE "WOBBLING". DROVE STRAIGHT HOME; HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT HAS BEEN (AS OF TODAY) FOR ELEVEN (11) DAYS. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED ME THAT THEY ARE CALLING IT "INTERNAL AXLE FAILURE" ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS, WHICH THEY SAY WILL TAKE ANOTHER FEW WEEKS TO COME IN; THE CAR IS SO NEW THERE AREN'T ANY AVALIABLE PARTS FOR IT?!? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165198

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.