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2010 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

487 reports with mileage · 199 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.

  • Structure. Review the 169 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports5 fire reports11 injury reports

Structure complaints

169 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2014
Structure

THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. IT HAS A STICKY, SHINY TEXTURE NOW. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, SO I GUESS IT MELTED FROM THE HEAT. IT'S SO BAD I CAN'T PUT ANYTHING NEAR OR ON IT FOR FEAR IT MIGHT GET RUINED BY THE DASHBOARD (EX: PARKING PASSES). THE GLARE SOMETIMES GETS BAD ENOUGH WHERE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR …

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THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. IT HAS A STICKY, SHINY TEXTURE NOW. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, SO I GUESS IT MELTED FROM THE HEAT. IT'S SO BAD I CAN'T PUT ANYTHING NEAR OR ON IT FOR FEAR IT MIGHT GET RUINED BY THE DASHBOARD (EX: PARKING PASSES). THE GLARE SOMETIMES GETS BAD ENOUGH WHERE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR IS JUST ABOUT 5 YEARS OLD NOW, BUT THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTED FOR A LONG TIME. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF HEALTH RISK FROM DRIVING AROUND WITH MELTING PLASTIC IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651469

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2014
Structure

THE DASHBOARD WITHIN MY VECHILE IS METLING. IT IS A GOOEY, STICKY AREA ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. IT CREATES A REFLECTIVE GLARE THAT INTERFERES WITH MY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651067

60,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Structure

DASHBOARD "MELTED". IT'S SHINY ( BAD GLARE) AND VERY STICKY AS THOUGH THE GLUE HAS RISEN UP THROUGH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650646

48,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE DASHBOARD ON THIS VEHICLE IS MELTING. I PURCHASED IT USED IN APRIL AND NOTICED ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER THAT THE DASH WAS STICKY. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE POINT THAT THE GLARE CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES FOR THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650508

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE DASHBOARD IN THE CAR IS MELTING - TO THE POINT THAT THE GLARE IS AFFECTING THE VIEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650085

58,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JUNE 2013, AND NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 IT STARTED TO BECOME STICKY ON THE DASHBOARD AS IF IT IS MELTING.. DIDNT REALLY BECOME AN ISSUE UNTIL IT BEGAN TO GLARE INTO MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO BE UNABLE TO SEE. I CANNOT CLEAN, OR TOUCH ANY PART OF THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE IT IS SO MELTED AND STICKY IT STI…

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BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JUNE 2013, AND NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 IT STARTED TO BECOME STICKY ON THE DASHBOARD AS IF IT IS MELTING.. DIDNT REALLY BECOME AN ISSUE UNTIL IT BEGAN TO GLARE INTO MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO BE UNABLE TO SEE. I CANNOT CLEAN, OR TOUCH ANY PART OF THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE IT IS SO MELTED AND STICKY IT STICKS TO MY HANDS IF I DO. IT IS IN MY DIRECT VIEW OF WHERE I SHOULD BE LOOKING TOWARDS THE ROAD. HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649552

63,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGA DETERIORATING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A STICKY SUBSTANCE ACCUMULATING AS THE FAILURE WAS BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGA DETERIORATING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A STICKY SUBSTANCE ACCUMULATING AS THE FAILURE WAS BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10644800

42,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS BEGAN MELTING. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINY. SOMETIMES THE SHININESS IS SO REFLECTIVE THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. THERE ARE CHUNKS OF THE DASH THAT COME OFF LIKE CHEWING GUM. THE DASH GETS ON EVERYTHING LIKE STICKY BLACK TAR. I CAN O…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 HAS BEGAN MELTING. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINY. SOMETIMES THE SHININESS IS SO REFLECTIVE THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. THERE ARE CHUNKS OF THE DASH THAT COME OFF LIKE CHEWING GUM. THE DASH GETS ON EVERYTHING LIKE STICKY BLACK TAR. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THERE ARE DANGEROUS TOXINS BEING RELEASED INTO THE AIR TO BREATHE WHILE DRIVING KNOWING THAT THIS SYNTHETIC MATERIAL HAS NOW BROKEN DOWN AND BEGUN TO DETERIORATE. THE CAR IS ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD AND WELL CARED FOR. WHO IS TO BLAME FOR MY LOSS OF VALUE FROM A POORLY MADE PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643979

138,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Structure

THE DASH OF MY MAZDA 3 2010 IS LITERALLY MELTING. THIS CAUSE A GLARE WHEN DRIVING THAT CAN'T BE AVOIDED. THIS MAKES DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS IN SUNNY CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643941

30,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 BEGAN MELTING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. OVER TIME, MORE OF THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINY. SOMETIMES THE SHININESS IS SO REFLECTIVE THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE WHEN I AM DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. THE VEHICLE RESIDES IN HAWAII AND IS KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643459

Official recalls

3

17V082000 · Seats

Feb 9, 2017

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.

16V644000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Sep 6, 2016

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

09V126000 · Electrical System

Apr 16, 2009

MAZDA IS RECALLING 25,400 MY 2010 MAZDA3 VEHICLES. A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE HARNESS AND THE HOUSING OF STARTER MOTOR MAY BE INSUFFICIENT. DUE TO THIS, THE COVERING OF THE HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED THROUGH VIBRATION DURING OPERATION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT-CIRCUIT BETWEEN CERTAIN HARNESS WIRES AND THE STARTER HOUSING. A SHORT-CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND/OR POOR SHIFT QUALITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE MAIN FUSE MAY BLOW OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND INABILITY OF RESTART, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS INSPECT AND ADD A PROTECTOR CLIP ON THE AFFECTED SECTION OF THE HARNESS. IF NECESSARY, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

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

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.