7.5
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $140
- Average Mileage:
- 59,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 31 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (15 reports)
- replace my dashboard (13 reports)
- fixed! a couple of calls 2 right people- new dash no chrge (1 reports)
- replace dash (1 reports)
- replace dashboard (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Mazda dealer.
Entire dash is melted and sticky. Dust and moths and crap get stuck to it. You can't clean it. Also I installed a new stereo and part of the melty junk came off. It looks terrible.
- miata350, Kansas City, US
Dashboard melts just sitting in the sun, makes the dashboard shiny and sticky. This creates a reflection in the window obstructing your view as you drive because the glare and reflection is strong. This is a hazard as it creates dangerous driving conditions.
- Sandy C., Silver Spring, MD, US
I purchased this vehicle brand new in 2010. I received the recall,but it also said that they were running short on the replacement parts. It wasn't really a big problem at the time. I thought I could deal with it so I did not report it to the dealership. Well after dealing with it for awhile it has gotten worse. I then tried to contact the Mazda call center and never got a response after a few tries. Now the problem is affecting my driving vision with this glare on the windshield. How do I approach Mazda's neglect to respond to my request for replacement of this defect? I am concerned about my safety and my passengers safety. I am very frustrated, to say the least!!
- Debbie D., Bardstown, KY, US
After 44 degree celsius day I noticed a gap between the central dash and the console. Didn't really think much of it initially until the next day when I noticed it still there. Apparently the heat had deformed the central console and the glue had failed. Took it to the mechanic who contacted Mazda for me and apparently the only way to fix it is to replace the whole dash for the price $2480AUD!
The mechanic suggested that it was a result of leaving my car outdoors all the time, and recommended a sunshade, but I've always used the sunshade so I guess the only conclusion is that Mazda used CHEAP plastic that can't withstand much heat!
- choccielatte, Sydney, Australia
2010 Mazda3. Dash melting. Progressively getting worse. Black sludge smearing on car. Causing glare. Its a sticky smearing mess!
- Lori H., Delray Beach, FL, US
My dash is melting and the gooey residue on my dash creates a glare in the windshield while I'm trying to drive. Using sunshades and that hasn't stopped or slowed the deterioration of my dash. The gummy residue can't be cleaned and when trying it moved the sticky mess from the dash to the stereo and steering wheel. The GPS buttons in the steering wheel stick and won't move properly and the non-melted portions of my dash having spots of the sticky residue all over it.
I've read there was a recall of 2010 Mazda's for this issue but was never notified (I purchased mine in 2011) and when I check open recall lists my VIN doesn't come up with any outstanding issues.
The gummy residue is frustrating but the glare in the windshield makes driving a safety hazard.
- gummydiego, San Diego, CA, US
Dashboard is soft and gummy. Cannot be cleaned. Glare while driving.
- aggiemom09, Corpus Christi, TX, US
Just jumping onto the dashboard melting list. Have an appointment scheduled tomorrow to take pics and get it replaced.
- biggsfl, Melbourne, FL, US
I bought this car brand new in early 2010. This issue recently showed up (I actually had not noticed it until I saw it on this website, but sure enough, it is there). I live in Florida, so I use sunshades year-round and I have very dark window tint, so it has reduced the problem.
None the less, there is a very slight melting of the dash on the very front edge of it toward the engine. If you reach your fingers over the lip, you get a gooey plastic stuck to your fingers.
It is not a major issue for me because I cannot see the melting from the seats, but you can feel it.
- steeps, Tallahassee, FL, US
I took my 2010 Mazda 3 to the dealer and showed them the dash. They said that there was a factory recall on the 2010 Mazda 3's and so they ordered me a new dash and said they would call me when it's in so they can remove the old melting one and replace it with a new one, free of charge! So you need to contact your local dealer. Hope this helps.
- robbinsfl, Eagle Lake, FL, US
this is highly annoying I bough car sep2014 when summer. the following season the dashboard is melting real bad. there is a glare and it has but black marks on everything that touches it, paper and dog hair have been melted into before I realized they were getting stuck because the dashboard was melting and was like a gluey tar. its horrible and I cant believe they can even sell these like this worst car ever
- rpoore, Fayetteville, US
The dashboard on my daughter's 2010 Mazda 3 is a sticky, gooey mess. There is a bad glare where the stickiness is the worst (which is in front of driver, close to the windshield). This is 1) a hazard due to the glare, 2) eyesore and 3) makes the dash difficult to clean.
- Billy B., Grand Prairie, TX, US
click to see larger images
Have a 2010 Mazda3 and my dash is melting into a shiny black tar like substance and the glare is reflecting onto my windshield blocking my view of traffic. I called Mazda they said they have no complaints about this issue. I called dealership they said "oh wel,l that happens to Mazda dashboards, they melt so it's gonna cost around 1,000 dollars to fix it." Like, oh well, we know they melt but there's nothing we can do. Pay to have your defected part replaced. This happened after 3 yeas.r Dealer does not want to fix. NEVER I will get another MAZDA!
- Jose P., Boca Raton, FL, US
I bought this vehicle used not quite 2 yrs ago. I absolutely love the vehicle but recently I noticed the dash. It scared me at first, thought my engine was melting inside my car... anyone know of solution and how much does this cost... it's at an annoying stage with the stickiness and shiny part and yes, it does make a film on inside of my window... HELP ....
- luvtazzdk, Newman, CA, US
My 2010 Mazda3's dashboard is melting. From the moment I noticed the melting dashboard, I asked the dealership where I bought it if they had a recall on it. They said no. At the end of 2014 as I'm getting my car ready to ship to Korea where I'm stationed, I'm serving overseas with the US Army, I asked the service department again if they had a recall and they said no. I asked if this was a common problem and they said they were a few cars defected like that but not enough for a recall. I moved to South Korea with the car and after reading of the lawsuits for this same problem, I decided to contact corporate Mazda in the USA. They said that my car was bought in Puerto Rico so they would not help me. I called corporate Mazda in Puerto Rico and they said they would not to help me because the car was not in Puerto Rico.
The dashboard is sticky, you can clean it because everything that touches it makes worse...the paint and even the plastic comes off with touch...it feels as melting gum. Worse, the shine it produces reflects on the glass and it's so annoying.
South Korea doesn't buy Japanese cars so they can't help me. I wish they would replace it or pay to have it replaced. I will never, ever, ever buy a Mazda again nor would I recommend it to anyone.
- susanad, Seoul, South Korea
Everything sticks to it. Husband put a newspaper in it and now i can read that days news everyday! Gross..cigarette ash, dog hair, dirt. You can't touch it or your fingerprint is left. You can't clean it or fibers are left. It was melting before but was not shining in my window. That is new! I have to sit with my head tilted to see the road. Mazda dealership says that it only happened to the 2012s and won't help cause I'm out of warranty. I want my dash fixed! I would not have purchased knowing this would happen and i should not pay now!
- Wendi L., Austin, TX, US
Called corporate office, told me to take it to the dealers to have photos taken. Dealer later called me stating that they would replace it but I would have to do a complete maintenance job on my car (300-400 dollars), something my car did not need, and pay for have the cost of labor (around 100-200 dollars). It has become very hard to see thru the front window due to the glare when driving on I95, you cannot read the signs unless it is a cloudy day. I heard of a lawsuit on line, I have joined it hoping something becomes of it. Don't know what Mazda is waiting for, it is a danger to drive this vehicle, with the dashboard melting. This should not cost the consumer anything being they used cheap products on the dash. Did not have this problem with my Mazda Protégé.
- luzegoosey, Miami, FL, US
This is my second car and I love it, but the dash is very unappealing. The glare makes it hard to drive sometimes. At first it started above the speedometer, but now it is spreading. I think this should be taken care of at no cost to the customers.
- Brian P., Sanford, FL, US
click to see larger images
When my dash first started "melting"i was still covered under my 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. When I took it to the dealer I purchased it from the device manager refused to repair/replace the dash under the warranty. Let alone agree it was defective.the only thing he would do is charge me $150 to replace it.
Update from Apr 5, 2016: Shortly after posting this i found out that the dealership would now take pics and send them in to have the dash replaced. It was about a week later that they did the replacement. (which is nice to have a non melted dash again) the down side was they forced me to pay $270 for the labor, the labor to fix a defect of their own. Has anyone else had to pay this fee too? So now i have a new dash $270 less and now I suddenly have a vent actuator problem, that was conveniently forgot to tell me about when the dash was apart.( This issue didn't exist prior to the dash replacement.
Love my Mazada 3 HATE HATE the service team at my dealership
- Asher P., Willis, TX, US
I just bought a Mazda 3 hatchback and the dashboard is super sticky and appears it has melted. It obviously doesn't affect the functioning of the car, but it is REALLY bad.
- wellynx, Blaine, US