10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 36,580 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.
The dashboard adhesive migrates to the surface of the dashboard. Adhesive then sublimates and condenses on the windshield making a glaze on the windshield, making it extremely difficult to see the road in sunrise or sunset conditions. I've repeatedly cleaned the windshield with many different cleaners including acetone, but at best I am only able to improve visibility, not restore it. In the attached photo, the upper portion of photo illustrates the film of adhesive on the glass after it was wiped with a clean paper towel, creating a hazy appearance. The entire windshield was cleaned with acetone and heavy duty degreaser and window cleaner prior to the photo.
- Radford , VA, USA
Front dash is melted and very shiny causing intense glare for the driver.
- Lawrence, KS, USA
The dashboards should be subject to a recall immediately since badly reduced visibility from glare is a recipe for an accident. The defective (melting) material is so bad that if the sun hits it just right, I can hardly see anything ahead of me; it is an accident waiting to happen. I called my Mazda dealer (Gray Epperson Mazda in Cleveland, TN (423) 303-1333) but said there was nothing they could do now as there was a warranty before but it had expired. I try to drive the car but always trying to avoid sunny conditions, but unfortunately, when I leave at 5pm conditions are worse if it's sunny. I wish Mazda would accept responsibility soon (or they are forced to do so by NHTSA, if needed) so that I wouldn't have to take such a risk.
- Cleveland, TN, USA
I am writing to file a complaint regarding the defective dashboard of my Mazda 3. The dash of the car under the windshield has become melty and shines excessively, making it extremely difficult to see when the sun is shining on the dashboard. The reflection on the windshield is so intense that it affects the visibility of the road and makes it hard to see clearly. I was informed by the dealership that there was an extended service available for this issue, but it expired after 10 years. I was never informed of this extended service and only now, after my dashboard has become extremely affected, did I find out about it. This is extremely concerning as the dashboard is an important safety feature of the car and the reflection from the dashboard is affecting my visibility, putting myself and other drivers on the road in danger. I am extremely frustrated with the lack of transparency and communication from the dealership regarding this extended service and the fact that my dashboard has become defective despite proper maintenance and upkeep of the car. I demand that Mazda take responsibility for the defective dashboard and rectify the issue as soon as possible. I kindly request that the NHTSA investigates this matter and ensures that Mazda takes the necessary actions to resolve this issue for all affected car owners.
- Silver Spring, MD, USA
The dashboard in my 2010 Mazda 3 has melted significantly throughout the years. It has become hazardous and tough to operate this vehicle. The dashboard is glossy, sticky, and believe a slight odor. I tried to slow its deterioration by using a sunshade when parked. It not only did not help, the dashboard just ruined each shade with a sticky, tar-like, black residue. No dealership has offered to help me without trying to charge me the total price of replacement, plus their labor costs. I regularly check to see if there has been a new recall, but there has not. I can not sell this car without feeling guilty for endangering others. I am unlikely to return to Mazda as a paying customer since they shy away from treating my family like one. I hope this issue is fixed adequately for me and anyone else suffering from this issue.
- New Bern, NC, USA
The dashboard is melting and its causing a poor visibility due to the shiny reflection on the windshield
- Pasadena, MD, USA
Sticky dash leaves a major glare on the windshield, impossible to drive in the sun
- Staten Island, NY, USA
My car's dashboard is melting creating an awful smelly chemical fume of whatever is deteriorating. Touching it results in getting molten dashboard on my fingers and there is an awful glare on the windshield when driving impairing visibility. It's been hot this summer and whatever the dashboard is made of was not built to handle heat.
- Clarksburg, MD, USA
Sticky dashboard interferes with windshield glare he windshield tend to get a very bad glare and makes it hard to drive due to the dash board. The dash board is all sticky and gets worse with the heat
- Antioch, CA, USA
Dash is melting and I have very poor visibility due to a lot of glare reflection.
- Emporia, KS, USA
The dash on my vehicle has melted and become shiny and hard to see when driving. It appears this is a known issue and Mazda has "extended" the warranty on the dash, however since my car has a "branded title" from hail damage this excludes my vehicle. Also the issue is outside the 10 year extended warranty. This is a known issues and is listed on the Mazda website. Multiple people have the same issue. After contacting Mazda they will not replace the dash. Since this is a known issue and safety hazard I believe it should be a recall vs them extending the warranty to save costs on not having to replace certain vehicles. Https://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/press-release/Mazda3-and-mazda6-warranty-extension-statement/
- Rose Hill, KS, USA
Sticky surface dashboard, dashboard glare,
- Little Neck, NY, USA
Melting of dashboard projects a glare on the windshield blinding the driver looking straight ahead on sunny day.
- Gainesville, VA, USA
The car a recall for dashboard it's melted their glare when the sun hit you cant see. Took it to the Mazda dealer they wouldn't fix it. I would have to pay outer my pocket. When driving.
- Honolulu, HI, USA
Approx 4"X12" section dashboard melting above gauge cluster and creating glare both off of the dash and on the windshield. Cannot clean off gooey mess
- Richmond, CA, USA
The dashboard appears melted and sticky and is effecting visibility making it very dangerous to drive
- Fishkill, NY, USA
Vehicle was parked in a secured company parking lot. When I left work, the sunroof glass was smashed. There was nothing on the roof of the car. I thought a huge tree limb may have fell on the car and someone moved it but there was nothing nearby to explain what happened. I had the sunroof repaired and forgot about it until I just saw information about this happening on other cars. Reporting to you for statistical purposes. Sunroof glass shattered, vehicle was stationary (parked), the high temp that day was 90 and the low was 72, nothing was on top of the car (rock, tree, etc), no known reason for why the glass broke.
- Sumter, SC, USA
My dashboard has been melting caused me to drive off road and almost to have accidents numerous times when the sunlight and the traffic light at night reflects on the dashboard/windshield and blinds whos driving and U cant even clean it just wish that it would be resolved before something worse happens
- Hampton, GA, USA
The dash board is melting and causing problem seeing. I received a letter a while back stating there was issues with the dash boards becoming sticky or melting mine has just started doing this and its making it difficult to see on really sunny days from the glare that it reflects on the windshield on the driver side. This is very dangerous I called Mazda about it and was told there was nothing they was gonna do about this issue. I dont understand how they can not fix it when its cause of the dashboard they put in the cars. This is not only poor customer service but also could risk people lives. I am not happy about this. This has been happen and only getting worse as time goes on I dont have a certain date so I just picked one below
- Louisville, KY, USA
- Eugene, OR, USA