I was driving it and randomly the AT and TC , and check engine light came on and the car went into limp mode, after doing some research it appears to happen to all 2009-2011 Mazda3's and it's a safety hazard. It's a safety hazard because of when it's stuck in limp mode sometimes if your at a light or something it'll start shifti…
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I was driving it and randomly the AT and TC , and check engine light came on and the car went into limp mode, after doing some research it appears to happen to all 2009-2011 Mazda3's and it's a safety hazard. It's a safety hazard because of when it's stuck in limp mode sometimes if your at a light or something it'll start shifting and if you're not holding the brake completely down it will make the car lurch forward like 2-3 feet more if you don't react fast enough. This is a serious problem as it can cause a wreck. And you never know when it's going to happen there will be no symptoms it will just go into limp mode sometimes it'll rapidly go in and out and I'm sure that's causing damage to my transmission. Please make Mazda recall the TCM part and replace it. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my complaint/safety issue. Have a good day or night!!!
NHTSA ODI #11701203
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2025
Unknown Or Other
The instrument panel above the information display in my 2011 Mazda3 has warped and created a visible gap, which is a known defect previously covered under Mazda’s Special Service Program A9 (SSP A9). While originally described as a cosmetic issue, in my vehicle the gap now allows engine odors and emissions to enter the passenge…
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The instrument panel above the information display in my 2011 Mazda3 has warped and created a visible gap, which is a known defect previously covered under Mazda’s Special Service Program A9 (SSP A9). While originally described as a cosmetic issue, in my vehicle the gap now allows engine odors and emissions to enter the passenger cabin. This condition presents a safety and health risk to occupants. My daughter drives the vehicle daily to college and is regularly exposed to these fumes. To confirm the problem, I used a Temtop M2000C Advanced Air Quality Monitor and recorded the following CO₂ levels inside the cabin compared to outside air: - Outside vehicle (baseline): 348 ppm - Inside after 1 minute: 436 ppm - Inside after 5 minutes: 1,027 ppm - Inside after 15 minutes: 1,645 ppm According to the monitor’s air quality guide, 1,501–2,500 ppm CO₂ is classified as “Unhealthy.” These readings indicate a measurable intrusion of emissions into the cabin. Mazda Customer Experience has acknowledged the vehicle is outside the SSP A9 warranty window and denied repair assistance, but I believe this issue is no longer cosmetic. The defect now creates a condition that may adversely affect occupant health and safety and should be considered under NHTSA’s authority for potential investigation. The vehicle can be inspected upon request. A Mazda dealer (Group 1 Mazda Denton, Texas) has provided a repair estimate of $1,307.77 for instrument panel replacement. Photos of the gap and air quality readings are available.
NHTSA ODI #11687666
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2024
Unknown Or Other
The car is jerking and check engine light is on. Also when you are stopped and press on the gar it takes a bit to get speed. The transmission control module needs to be replaced. There seems to be this issue on many mazda's just not sure why a recall hasn't been done for this case.
NHTSA ODI #11608963
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2022
Unknown Or Other
Transmission Control Module Failed while driving. Do to this there was a loss in ability to properly shift which made driving dangerous. There has been several online reports and accounts about this specific car signaling a check engine light coming on, AT light coming on and when other indirect or incorrect codes like Solenoid …
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Transmission Control Module Failed while driving. Do to this there was a loss in ability to properly shift which made driving dangerous. There has been several online reports and accounts about this specific car signaling a check engine light coming on, AT light coming on and when other indirect or incorrect codes like Solenoid (A), (B), or (C). Luckily I did not crash therefore, I have no inspections have been necessary by police or insurance representatives. But I did have my local mechanic shop diagnose the problem. I noticed the car shifted a little weird but, no lights, warning, or messages came prior to failure. In the first couple of minutes prior to the first failure, was a simple check engine light which read a code for the Solenoid. Local shop diagnosed Transmission Control Module Failure and proceeded to "fix" the module. Second Failure was mid drive, AT light came on and a few minutes into my drive back home to park the car, it failed.
NHTSA ODI #11495977
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
Unknown Or Other
Automatic transmission failure. It causes the vehicle to jar around and have misproper steering. For example improper acceleration causes inability to move in a fluid motion. Causes risks of someone rearending or hitting another vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11448109
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Unknown Or Other
My Mazda 3 2011 dash is splitting and it was inspected by the Mazda dealership. It pulls a safety issue because the glue and sticky material that was coming from the dash is shining into my eyes every time I drive during daylight. I am afraid the airbags will be affected too because the dash is coming part that means air bags ca…
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My Mazda 3 2011 dash is splitting and it was inspected by the Mazda dealership. It pulls a safety issue because the glue and sticky material that was coming from the dash is shining into my eyes every time I drive during daylight. I am afraid the airbags will be affected too because the dash is coming part that means air bags can be a malfunction also.
NHTSA ODI #11432979
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
Transmission slips out and shift shock in first gear to second year. Over revving and bucking on the freeway. These are BAD transmissions
NHTSA ODI #11419819
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2021
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other
THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING UP POSSIBLY AFFECTING THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED I DONT KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED
NHTSA ODI #11407248
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2020
Air BagsExterior LightingUnknown Or Other
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND NOT CONSISTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD HAS COME APART FROM THE CENTER PIECE ON THE DASH WITH THE DIGITAL DISPLAY. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TEXAS IN 2013, DROVE TO MAINE IN 2015 AND DRIVEN TO V…
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PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND NOT CONSISTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD HAS COME APART FROM THE CENTER PIECE ON THE DASH WITH THE DIGITAL DISPLAY. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TEXAS IN 2013, DROVE TO MAINE IN 2015 AND DRIVEN TO VIRGINIA SINCE 2018. PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS STRANGE BROWN MARKS INSIDE THE MIRROR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. OWNER DOES NOT SMOKE. STRANGE CLUNKY NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION, NOT CONSISTENT VERY RANDOM. SMOOTH ROAD, BUMPY ROAD, FAST OR SLOW, THE SOUND JUST RANDOMLY HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. HEADLIGHTS FORM MOISTURE, OWNER BOUGHT NEW HEADLIGHTS WITH MECHANIC INSTALL AND THEY STARTED TO COLLECT MOISTURE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER INSTALLATION. OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2013 TO PRESENT. VEHICLE PURCHASED AT APPROX 60K MILES, CURRENTLY APPROX 130K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11363366
134,000 miles · Jan 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WE WERE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A MACHINE GUN WAS GOING THREW MY SPEAKERS AND THE RADIO CONTROL WOULD NOT CONTROL THE LOAD NESS OF IT. WE HAD TO RIDE OVER 3 MILES TO THE EXIT AND GET OUT WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT STOPPED. THEN IT WOULD MAKE A AWFUL CRACKLING NOISE WHEN THE KEY WASN'T EVEN IN T…
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WE WERE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A MACHINE GUN WAS GOING THREW MY SPEAKERS AND THE RADIO CONTROL WOULD NOT CONTROL THE LOAD NESS OF IT. WE HAD TO RIDE OVER 3 MILES TO THE EXIT AND GET OUT WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT STOPPED. THEN IT WOULD MAKE A AWFUL CRACKLING NOISE WHEN THE KEY WASN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION. THAT WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW THE RADIO DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AND IT STILL CRACKLES FROM TIME TO TIME. I LOOKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY SAID THAT THE BOSE AMPLIFIER IS GOING OUT MAKING THAT NOISE. I'VE CONTACTED BOSE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. I'M JUST GLAD I WASN'T IN THE CAR ALONE WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF US!
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.
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.
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.
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