8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,570
Average Mileage:
40,300 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace the clutch (4 reports)
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problem #4

Apr 112023

MAZDA3

  • Manual transmission
  • 93,206 miles

Clutch master cylinder and tie rods all needed replacing. Not sure if this is "unusual" for an 11 year old car but it was fixed nonetheless.

- Sara B., Fruitvale, BC, Canada

problem #3

Aug 212014

MAZDA3 2.5 2.5L

  • Manual transmission
  • 22,000 miles

I have a Mazda3 2.5 liter engine. It has a 6 speed transmission. I've been driving a clutch for 41 years. My last car, a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta 5 speed, logged just 125,000 miles. Never put a clutch in it. My Mazda 3 2.5 liter engine 6 speed manual transmission at 22,000 miles had to replace the clutch and all its components. Dealership told me user error.

I won't mention at this time that I took it to the dealer Mike Bass Mazda on route 254 Sheffield Ohio, where it was purchased, 3 times to have my tires balanced without a good result. I was told nothing else could be done. I had to take it to some private outfit. After two visits problem resolved. Not really a confidence builder. I noticed what felt like some slippage in the clutch coming home from work. The following day I attempted to take it to Mazda. Never made it. Stranded on the highway. I had to get a tow. After a couple of days in the shop they tell me 1300 dollars. They say it's the driver's fault. Not covered under warranty.

I didn't have it fixed at Mike Bass. No Thanks.

- David V., Avon Lake, OH, US

problem #2

Jan 032014

MAZDA3 Isport 4.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 21,164 miles

This Mazda is my first car that I ever financed, boy was that a mistake. The whole point in buying a new car is so it would be reliable and should there be any issues the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty would cover it. Nope. 21,000 miles later, my clutch goes out and I have to push my car home.

A car that is only a year and a half old shouldn't have clutch failure this soon. It is unacceptable that according to Mazda this is a "wear and tear" part, thus pinning the blame on the customer and their driving styles rather than their faulty parts. Obviously they will not stand behind their product and its just unacceptable that I am dropping this much on a brand new car.

This is my first and last Mazda EVER. I am so disappointed that they are going to put the same crappy clutch in my car that is just going to go out 20,000 miles later once again. If there happens to be a class action lawsuit down the line I am so in.

- Jade H., Austin, TX, US

problem #1

Jan 062013

MAZDA3

  • Manual transmission
  • 24,700 miles

The car is 14 months old and Mazda is trying to claim driver error in order to avoid covering the replacement under warranty. The clutch worked fine until it catastrophically failed driving down the road. So now I have an $18,000, year-old car that doesn't work. This is my fourth Mazda and I will never buy or recommend another.

- Paige B., Huntsville, AL, US