10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,958 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #19

Feb 022022

MAZDA3

  • miles
The infotainment center is "ghosting". This is a problem already recalled by Mazda but my car was not included. This started about 10 months ago. The result is that the gps system will shut down, the car, if linked to my phone will automatically dial random numbers, the radio stations will randomly change or be deleted. The GPS system has now become completely non functional. Having this random activity while driving or stopped creates a hazard as it requires frequent adjustments using my hands to correct the problems. The lack of a functioning gps is also problematic. This problem was brought to the attention of a Mazda dealer about 6 months ago and I was told no warranty repair was available. I also contacted Mazda USA by phone and was told no service would be provided. I have also sent a certified letter to Mazda USA with no response.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #18

Jan 292022

MAZDA3

  • miles
The multifunction / infotainment display in my Mazda went haywire last weekend--it loops through bootup sequence over and over but never loads. Backup camera still works, sort of, but the image jumps and it goes blank sometimes. I can't unplug the display or pull the fuse, or would lose backup camera altogether. So I have no Nav system, can't change radio station, etc.--and am stuck with the 7" screen flashing in my face as I drive. Local Mazda dealer advises that this is caused by cell phone transition to 5G. They took my contact info but did not offer any solution. There have been a couple of local news stories this week about other Mazda owners experiencing this issue. Interestingly, those all seem to report that owners' radios are stuck on a local NPR station. Mine is also stuck on one station, but not the NPR affiliate. https://www.geekwire.com/2022/youre-listening-to-kuow-like-it-or-not-mysterious-glitch-has-mazda-drivers-stuck-on-public-radio/

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #17

Feb 012020

MAZDA3

  • 25,000 miles
Good afternoon, my car is experiencing the ghosting issue with my infotainment screen. This is happening in many Mazda 3's throughout the country and is a big safety hazard as it is distracting while we are driving. Currently it is a warranty issue but this should be a recall instead and I shouldnt have to pay to have this fixed. My reasoning for this is when I am driving the screen will go crazy and select what it wants to and place calls and go into a bunch of different areas. This cause me and other drivers to take our eyes of the road and also our hands off the steering wheel to cancel calls or to exit where the screen decides to go.this in turn can cause accidents not only for myself but others on the road as well. There is no way to disable the touch feature in the settings itself so I cant disable this function if I wanted to without taken apart the dash and voiding my warranty. This happens when stationary, in motion, in the city and on the highway. This issue happens off and on through the week.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #16

Nov 072019

MAZDA3

  • 45,000 miles
Bought new in 2015. Infomat system reboots 3 or 4 times when temperatures are below 40 degrees at start up in a unheated garage also while driving and cold engine light is still on. Took to dealer a couple times, and informed them of the problem while still warranted, all they did was reboot the system. Still doing it after 4 years. Very frustrating, but now it's on my dime. One time it went completely black, so I figured out how to reboot it.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #15

Apr 112019

MAZDA3

  • 95,000 miles
Mazda infotainment display problem: The touch panel on my 2015 Mazda3 operates by itself and does not accept touch commands properly. I thought it was just my car, but a quick google search for "Mazda 3 infotainment going crazy" returned several thousand articles and videos from frustrated Mazda customers who have experienced this same problem. These defective displays create hazardous driving environments for me and others who live in states with 'hands-free' laws.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #14

Dec 122018

MAZDA3

  • 28,000 miles
The infotainment system has a ghost feature: It starts to dial numbers automatically, change stations without any user input and many other disruptions as if there is a cloud monkey installed in the system. Issue exists after resetting the system. There is no way to turn off the system and I am just driving around with the system beeping all the way. It is extremely distracting and is affecting the driving. Mazda dealer charged $150 to say this is a common issue and only way to resolve is to replace it with another infotainment system: Cost $1500. I reached out to Mazda using their owner's portal and got no response. Its only a matter of time someone gets into an accident due to this hidden feature of Mazda.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 112019

MAZDA3

  • 21,000 miles
The infotainment system malfunctions while the car is being operated, creating a serious distraction for the driver. For example, the system can be tuned to the radio and then it will randomly switch to the phone function and dial a number again at random from my contacts list.trying to disengage the call doesn't work as it keeps dialing or will redial. This happens repeatedly. It will also at times choose a radio station which is not the one that has been selected. While these may sound minor they create a hazard because the driver is not able to control the communications features when they take on a life of their own.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #12

Jan 022019

MAZDA3

  • 58,000 miles
Takata recall the infotainment system is going haywire, making ghosts selections such as calling ppl, self selecting settings and all other buttons at random times during driving which has become extremely distracting and dangerous to drive the car with this issue. This is apparently a known issue to Mazda but they refuse to fix it. All they will offer is swapping it for another infotainment system that will eventually do the same thing again at the customers expense. This takes place while the car is traveling at 5mph or less so it most frequently happens when I am slowing to take turns or traveling in my neighborhood and while at a stop at random times. I have no control over the system once it starts glitching and making calls and changing settings or dialing numbers, I cant hang up im forced to disconnect the bluetooth from the phone but that only prevents it from making calls it still continues to go to the setting at press random buttons

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #11

Nov 192018

MAZDA3

  • 52,000 miles
On 11/19 at approximately 4:00 pm traveling at about 20 mph on a two lane street with no visible vehicles around a pop sound followed by glass rolling off the back of the vehicle occurred; a failure of the sunroof.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #10

Dec 112017

MAZDA3

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda 3. while driving approximately 70 mph on the highway, the sun roof exploded without warning. The contact sustained minor cuts, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was driven to the dealer (sport Mazda, 9786 S orange blossom trail, orlando, fl 32837), but was not diagnosed. The dealer repaired the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and approved the remedy. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 042017

MAZDA3

  • 33,500 miles
I was driving down a highway leaving work when I heard a loud bang, then noticed my sunroof had a large hole in it. I pulled over to inspect the damage and to see what could have hit me, there was no evidence of any impact- with barely any glass inside the car. The break looks like it exploded outwards.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #8

Sep 082017

MAZDA3

  • 13,000 miles
Rearview camera- has not consistently worked for two years - I get either a black screen with the standard backup warning, a flickering/rolling screen, no change from having it in drive/park or it works. The flickering screen does seems to happen more on damp/wet days, but can happen anytime. Having limited neck movement, this device is essential. When taken to dealer, seems to work, showed them videos, they say unless they see the camera in operation, nothing can be done. Attached is one still photo (taken 8 Sep 17, I also have a video of the rolling screen.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #7

May 132017

MAZDA3

  • miles
I have had my Mazda 3 as a brand new car since 2015. Just 2 years later, my ac compressor fails and I have to have it replaced. There are not even parts available for the ac compressor yet. I took my car to the mecganic, they think it just needs a recharge. But, after the service, the air is still not blowing cold. The ac compressor is frozen. The ac compressors on Mazda are faulty. I had to replace the same on my 2006 Mazda, just a year after purchasing it. I will not be purchasing Mazda again.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 182017

MAZDA3

  • 24,000 miles
On Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.M., I was driving my 2015 Mazda 3 (s touring) back to knoxville, tn from york, pa. After about an hour and a half of driving (near shippensburg, pa), I heard a loud sound like a gun shot and debris hitting the top of the car and then realized that my sunroof had shattered. I was in light traffic on the highway, traveling at the 70 mph speed limit. I was not behind another vehicle nor was my car struck by anything from the road or the air. After doing some research on the internet about my situation, I learned that the NHTSA refers to this problem as "spontaneous sunroof breakage."

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #5

Aug 112016

MAZDA3

  • 18,000 miles
The car had a catastrophic electrical failure, Mazda is unable to diagnose the cause. I have asked Mazda and the dealer by phone, email, and postal mail what I should do if this occurs on the highway. I have gotten no response from Mazda. I am concerned that this is a safety issue. While driving the car on a city street, during the day of 8/11/16, all the indicator lights flashed on and the air conditioner stopped. The engine was still running. I pulled in to a parking lot and turned off the engine. I tried to start it again (push button) and nothing happened; no lights, no sounds. I waited several minutes and tried to start the car again. This time it started. I turned it off and tried to start it again, nothing happened. I called Mazda roadside assistance and had the car towed to a dealer. On 8/20/16 the dealer told me they were unable to diagnose the problem. It seemed that more than 60 error codes had gone on a once, but they could not find a cause. I have emailed and written to Mazda asking if it is safe to drive the car on the highway, asking if it were to happen again would the and what I should do if it happens. More than a month has passed and I have had no response from Mazda.

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #4

Feb 082016

MAZDA3

  • 22,000 miles
Interior dome light started flickering, looked up to see why, through the rear view mirror flames could be seen. Vehicle was in motion at highway speed, approx. 65 mph. Car had 22,000 miles on it.

- Willow, AK, USA

problem #3

Oct 222015

MAZDA3

  • 3,500 miles
Radiator hose disconnected which drained antifreeze and caused vehicle to run hot.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 022015

MAZDA3

  • miles
When the car is getting wet and running in a humps we always heard a squeaking or cracking sounds on the front wheel, likely its in front shock, I guess

- Saipan, MP, USA

problem #1

Aug 132015

MAZDA3

  • 1,200 miles
Traveling down the highway at 60 mph in my brand new Mazda 3 coupe when the drivers side front window spontaneously imploded throwing safety glass all over driver and passenger.

- Centreville, VA, USA