10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,540 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #90

Jan 012019

MAZDA3

  • 96,000 miles
When vehicle is in park, the shift lever gets stuck and does not shift out of 'park'.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #89

May 172019

MAZDA3

  • 151,000 miles
We were driving down I-70 in Indiana in the evening when suddenly our sunroof exploded. We never saw a rock hit it or anything like that; there was just a loud noise, tinkling glass and it was mostly gone. Luckily we had the sun visor pulled over it, so no glass got in the car, but it's still a pretty major issue to have a hole in the roof of your car, both from a water damage and security standpoint. The temperature was in 70's, so extreme weather didn't play a role.

- Hudson, OH, USA

problem #88

Jan 022019

MAZDA3

  • 100,000 miles
ABS, and traction control dash board lights are on. The ABS relay is faulty, so the ABS module needs to be replaced

- Wylie, TX, USA

problem #87

Feb 222019

MAZDA3

  • 63,000 miles
10+ incidents of sudden unintended acceleration since Aug 2018. Always at freeway speed of traffic, I.e. 70-75mph. Occurs when intentionally decelerating (easing off the gas pedal and initiating braking). Rpms jump to 7 or 8. acceleration immediately drops and steads after tapping/applying pressure to brakes. Has been taken ralph thayer dealership 3 times -- aug2018, jan2019, feb2019. Each time vehicle kept for a week but unable to duplicate issue. Data recorder was installed in jan2019. Despite a several minute long episode on Feb 22, 2019 in which the car behaved erratically (buckling and jolting) and wouldn't accelerate more than 60 mph while the rpms were high (4-5) for several minutes, this was somehow not sensed by the data recorder. My own guess is an issue with the PCM or the automatic transmission control module. Have suas affected transmission? seems to be a known issue yet the dealer/Mazda reaction is perfunctory at best. No commitment to resolve. E.g. because my driving was limited while the recorder was in, I requested that it be left in for 3 months. Mazda refused, stating that if it happens again (and it will), they'll reinstall the recorder. That a collision hasn't happened is just luck. A serious accident caused by this vehicle is imminent since these issues adversely affect the ability to control the vehicle. I also don't relish being my own crash test dummy. There is nothing they can do beyond a series of expensive parts replacements based on their guesses? I have some video and photos per their request, but note that attempting to photograph or video the dashboard while driving is an extra bullet in what already feels like russian roulette. I've attached a summary of events provided to Mazda in January and the most recent mechanic's report. $800 suggested for guess-based tcm replacement, $240 inconclusive tests, no loaner provided.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #86

Oct 292018

MAZDA3

  • 132 miles
Sitting at a light and my sunroof shattered.

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #85

Jun 252017

MAZDA3

  • 80,000 miles
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

problem #84

May 302018

MAZDA3

  • 144,371 miles
Please see attached regarding a known dashboard lifting defect.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #83

Apr 252018

MAZDA3

  • 55,600 miles
Push button start malfunction, causing instrument panel to light up and behave erratically. Car obviously not safe to drive at that point. Shifting into reverse louder than normal and very noticeable jerk. Same result when shifting back to drive. Did not attempt any movement. Shut off engine. Waited several seconds, attempted restart, but engine would not restart. Instrument panel was lit up with a red key indicator light. Towed to dealer. Could not diagnose failure. Reset system, ran full diagnostic, no failure codes reported. Drove fine for 2 days, on 3rd day, problem repeated itself, car is now back at the dealer waiting on repair/diagnosis. Car was parked in home garage southern AZ on both occasions.

- Sahuarita, AZ, USA

problem #82

Feb 052018

MAZDA3

  • 134,000 miles
Exploding sunroof. The glass in my sunroof spontaneously exploded while traveling on the highway. A loud bang, followed by glass showering occupants, resulting in minor injuries. Upon review, the glass appeared to blown up and outward from the vehicle.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #81

Sep 292017

MAZDA3

  • 96,000 miles
On two separate occasion that were several months apart from one another, my vehicle has shut off while I have been driving. On both occasions I did not touch the key in the ignition in any way. There were no bumps or drastic changes in the driving conditions. The steering on the vehicle locked up and I had to hurry to get it start again. Both incidents I was actively driving on city streets. I was on a 45 mph road the first time and a 35 mph road the second time. I have no idea what caused the issue but it has happened twice for no apparent reason at all. The last time that it occurred, I was just completing a turn.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #80

Oct 022017

MAZDA3

  • 45,000 miles
The clutch failed prematurely at ~45K miles. When I was driving, I noticed the car was slow to accelerate after shifting. I took it to a mechanic who said the clutch needed to be replaced and that it was extremely early for it to have failed.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #79

Jun 302017

MAZDA3

  • miles
Loud noise in back suspension. Noise occurs running highway but gets louder on a city street unknown cause. When turning vehicle started clicks but need to keep trying to turn on. Probably computer problem

- Luquillo, PR, USA

problem #78

Aug 022017

MAZDA3

  • 80,000 miles
I took my 2010 Mazda3 in for recall of seat link adjusters and to service my melting dashboard that causes an unsafe glare on the windshield while driving in sunny conditions. The dealership verified the recall and service in May 2017 and was informed that parts will need to be ordered. Was told that I would receive a call back in a week or two. After several repeated attempts at calling and emailing the dealership, I cannot reach the service department to check on the status of ordered parts. The time frame for the repair from the unsafe conditions of the driver's seat that moves while I shift, and the horrendous glare from the melting dashboard, is to slow for resolution. It has been 3 months since having my car inspected at rosenthal Mazda/gaithersburg Mazda at 625 North frederick avenue in gaithersburg, md 20879. I have not received any response of communications informing me of the status of getting my car repaired or my rights as a consumer.

- Damascus, MD, USA

problem #77

Mar 062017

MAZDA3

  • 0 miles
The dash board is melting.

- Benson, NC, USA

problem #76

Feb 242017

MAZDA3

  • miles
My dash has glare from dash melt

- Floresville, TX, USA

problem #75

Mar 292017

MAZDA3

  • 87,000 miles
I was driving on an interstate at 11:30 am, approximately 65 mph, 59F on 3/29/17. I heard a loud noise (like a gunshot), and saw that my sunroof had shattered, and glass was on the interior of my car, as the visor was open (sunroof was closed). I was able to pull over and assess the damage, noting no physical harm to myself, and only minor damage (paint chips) to my car. I was not driving under an underpass, and while there was other traffic on the interstate, it was ordinary traffic, and there was no construction in the area.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #74

Jul 012015

MAZDA3

  • miles
My dashboard is melting. It produces a terrible glare when the sun is out and makes it hard to see out of the windshield.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

problem #73

Dec 282016

MAZDA3

  • 136,000 miles
The dashboard has sticky area that cannot be cleaned. Glare from the sun or lights makes it very hard to see. It's like light shinning off of glass.

- Church Hill, TN, USA

problem #72

Oct 012016

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
Steering wheel, at any speed, moves slightly from side to side causing it to be crooked. Alignments and balancing has not solved the problem. The wheel is loose in steering and increasingly scary since it is slightly crooked and can be very hard to keep the car from over steering even when driving straight on a perfectly paved road. I'm afraid the steering pump is corroding. Please investigate as newer models and Mazda in Japan had a major recall for this very issue. Please do a us recall as it's definitely a safety issue and very unpredictable especially on curvy or bumpy roads.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #71

Nov 192016

MAZDA3

  • 54,000 miles
Tire deflated in seconds while driving. Replacing a corroded valve stem and TPMS. This should be a safety recall after reading hundreds of complaints with the same issue on cars that are only a few years old. This is a major safety issue!!

- Clifton Heights, PA, USA

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