VIN REPORT

JM1BK12FX615343002006 MAZDA Mazda3

33of 100
Moderate Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
2
2 campaigns found
Safety Grade
F
54/100 composite
Complaints
166
NHTSA filed
Vehicle Age
20 yrs
Made in JAPAN
BUYPurchase Verdict

2006 MAZDA Mazda3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 166 owner complain...

Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2006 MAZDA Mazda3

2006 MAZDA Mazda3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 166 owner complaints include 15 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

  • 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • 15 injuries reported across 166 owner complaints
  • 21 complaints involved a crash — unusually high incident rate
  • Safety Systems is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
  • Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
  • Manufacturer delayed recall by 2.9 years after first complaints — pattern of slow response to known defects
33
of 100
Moderate Risk
3 moderate risk signals detected. Negotiate accordingly and verify service history.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
3 Contributing Risk Factors
Critical deferred maintenance — safety-critical components overdue
+20
Elevated fire risk signals detected
+7
2 model-wide recalls on record
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
MAZDA
Model
Mazda3
Year
2006
Body Style
Sedan/Saloon
Vehicle Type
PASSENGER CAR
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
2L 150 hp
Doors
4
Manufacturer
MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
Assembly
HOFU, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Assembly Plant Quality

Plant: HOFU, YAMAGUCHI

CQuality55/100
Standard📍 HOFU, YAMAGUCHI

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

F
Score: 54/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety21/30
Complaint History13/30
30/100Moderate
  • Airbag system recall
2/100
Basic
1 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Elevated
  • 3 complaint(s) involved a fire
Moderate
  • 15 injuries reported in complaints
  • Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.

Safety Systems
1 recall23 complaints

Driver Assistance Features

ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database

Forward Collision Warning?Unknown
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning?Unknown
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam?Unknown
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera?Unknown
Electronic Stability Control?Unknown
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake Support?Unknown
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls2

Deferred Failure Risk

Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones

82/100
Critical Deferred Risk
Critical deferred failure risk — 4 safety-critical or high-cost components are past their service interval. Without immediate attention, repair costs will compound significantly.
No odometer data on record. Mileage is estimated at ~240,000 mi based on average annual driving. Items marked EST. OVERDUE may already be due — verify service history with the seller. Items marked OVERDUE are confirmed past-due based on vehicle age alone.
EST. OVERDUECriticalTiming Chain Tensioner
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 20 yr · Past due by age
Service Timing Chain Tensioner immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
EST. OVERDUECriticalWater Pump
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 20 yr · Past due by age
Service Water Pump immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
EST. OVERDUEHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 20 yr · Past due by age
Service Transmission Fluid / Service immediately — already past the 60,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
EST. OVERDUEHighCoolant Flush
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 20 yr · Past due by age
Service Coolant Flush immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
EST. OVERDUEModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 20 yr · Past due by age
Service Spark Plugs (iridium/platinum) immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
EST. OVERDUEModerateFuel Injectors
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 20 yr · Past due by age
Service Fuel Injectors immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.

NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 RECALLS
2found

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

Average repair completion across 2 recalls is ~71%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.

71%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

MAZDA Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
93%Excellent

MAZDA has an excellent recall completion rate (93%) — owners typically receive a remedy within 15 months.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~15 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
15mo
#21V494000
Jan 2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SummaryMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Read full details...
ConsequencePlastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Est. Repair Completion~78%

~22% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#09E011000
Feb 2009

EQUIPMENT

SummaryTHULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Read full details...
ConsequenceTHIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Est. Repair Completion~64%

~36% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

LONG-STANDING OPEN
EQUIPMENT
17.4yr open
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5.4yr open

⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.

17 yrs ago
02/04/2009
01/07/2021
2 total campaigns
Safety Systems
1
Part Replacements
0
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
2 recalls are over 2 years old — statistically less likely to have been completed. Verify repair status with any dealer using your VIN.

Recall Remedy Effectiveness — Complaints Continue After Fix

RECALL DIDN'T FIX IT

Owner complaints filed AFTER recall remedies were issued for the same components

100% of complaints about "EQUIPMENT" were filed AFTER recall campaign 09E011000 (2009-02-04) — the recall remedy may not have fully resolved the issue.

EQUIPMENT
100% post-recall
Recall: 2009-02-040 before · 4 after#09E011000

Continuing complaints after a recall may indicate an inadequate fix, a new failure mode, or that many vehicles never had the recall performed. Verify recall completion status directly with NHTSA.

Manufacturer Recall Response Time

Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance

2.9yr
Lag from first complaint to recall
First complaint: 2006-03-09 · Recall issued: 2009-02-04

35 months elapsed between first complaint and recall issuance — a significant delay in consumer protection.

1 in 11

15 injuries reported across 166 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.

Complaints166

Complaint Intelligence

166 complaints analyzed across 11 system categories

Engine/Powertrain
1 crash40
Suspension/Wheels
4 crash1 inj27
Safety Systems
10 crash10 inj23
Electrical
1 crash22
Steering
21
Other
3 crash1 inj12
Brakes
1 crash2 inj10
Body/Structure
7
2014
18
2015
14
2016
10
2017
7
2018
4
2019
5
2020
2
2021
4
2023
3
2024
1
75% trend in recent years (improving reliability)
Declining -100%
0
Last 24 months
4
Prior 24 months
Engine stalling12
Fire/smoke8
Electrical failure8
Tire blowout3
Steering loss2
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (24)Startup (13)Parking/low-speed (12)Rain/wet (8)Cold weather (3)

Owner Complaints

HIGH VOLUME

166 safety complaints filed with NHTSA

166found
3
Fires
21
Crashes
15
Injuries
ODI #11584697UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There’s a recal in my current steering wheel of the 2006 Mazda 3 sedan i recently purchased

ODI #11535582SUSPENSION

The rear driver's side trailing arm broke into two pieces.

ODI #11508457SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES

Im having issues with rust the car it’s getting pretty much the car it’s falling apart the under body it’s nothing but rust I’m scared of changing a tire because there’s actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it’s going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it’s falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it’s way too rust same thing with my muffler I don’t feel safe I’m My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it’s the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don’t even feel safe to change a tire

ODI #11502890ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When I take the key out of the ignition the car doesn't recognize the key is out and won't stop beeping. I can't use the key fob to lock or unlock the car. I have to use the original door key to lock and unlock or the alarm will go off. I have replace the ignition switch cylinder 2 times and it still doesnt work. There is a little bit of "play" that is keeping it from not beeping and beeping. I can take it out slowly and it will work but then it slips again and I get locked out of the car and the alarm goes off again until I use the key to manually unlock the car door.

ODI #11439043AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

The contact owned a 2006 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph when the driver-side airbag deployed without warning which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle. The contact was the only injured and sought medical treatment. The contact sustained bruising on the right wrist and chest. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable

ODI #11431099AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This vehicle has one unrepaired recall. When I tried to make an appointment with the Mazda dealer to correct it, no recall is found after giving my VIN number. Is there any other way to have them repair it?

ODI #11427674AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

My 2006 Mazda was in a serious accident last month and my air bag did not inflate properly along with the warning logo a few days before the accident. My car was picked up and released to Geico yesterday for inspection from their at fault driver totalling my vehicle. It was a head on collision so the air bag is a big factor in a serious wreck. It was confirmed to have an active recall. The warning logo appeared on my dash right before the accident that caused a broken and dislocated hip resulting into two surgeries and a long recovery period.

ODI #11404818AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNED A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER, WHICH FLIPPED THE VEHICLE UPSIDE DOWN AND DRAGGED THE VEHICLE FOR UNKNOWN MILES. THE CONTACT STATED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HER SON WAS HAD HIS HAND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND LOST 4 FINGERS ON HIS LEFT HAND AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE FLIPPED 5 OR 6 TIMES, IT FINALLY ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN AFTER AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. *JB SKIDDING 600 FEET, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*JB*LN

ODI #11341336WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE, HAD (2), TWO BRAND NEW SET, OF TIRES FROM FIRESTONE PUT ON THIS CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD ONLY THOSE TWO SETS CAN ONLY BE PUT ON THIS MAZDA 3. THE CAR KEEP BUCKING ON EVERY STREET AND EVERY ROAD. EVERY DAY AND EVENING.

ODI #11299890AIR BAGS

LETTER EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING MAZDA'S RECALL FOR TAKATA AIR BAGS. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. *JS

ODI #11245825AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, MY 2006 MAZDA IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE CARS NOTED FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE.

ODI #11219135AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT HAS STAYED ON.

ODI #11218662ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DRIVING MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP AND JERK FROM TRANSMISSION GEAR ALSO ON REVERSE I RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAME OUT TO BE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE FROM LKQ USE, AND REPLACED AND THE CAR START WORKING FINE AGAIN THEN AFTER ABOUT ALMOST 2 YEARS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY AND THE AT LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALMOST HAVE AND ACCIDENTS THIS TIME.MY MECHANIC RUN A TEST WITH SAME RESULTS TCM NOT COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION. I RESEARCH THIS AND THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEM WITH TCM OUT THERE BUT I GUEST THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T COMPLAINT , THIS IS ISSUE THE MAZDA KNOW AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU AND HOPE THE MAZDA OPEN RECALL ON THE TCM. MAZDA 3 2006

ODI #11207962UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

MY ENGINE HAS A SUDDEN BURST OF ACCELERATION. I HAVE TO ALWAYS BE READY TO DROP IT INTO NEUTRAL IT HAPPENS UPON THE CAR STARTING TO MOVE

ODI #11189940UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS VEHICLE'S VIN CANNOT BE LOCATED IN ANY SYSTEM WHATSOEVER. NOT EVEN IN THE MAZDA DATA BASE. I NEED TO ATTEND IT'S RECALLS.

ODI #11139236STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR HAS BEEN LIKE LOOSING POWER WHEN IN STUCK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT IT GAS SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. NOW WHEN I PUT GAS ON IT AND TURN IT ON IT TURNS OFF SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT MUST BE POWER STEERING PUMP GWTTING DEFECTIVE. WELL NOW IT HAS NO POWER STEERING BUT IT DOSENT SHOW THE LIGHT ON THE PANEL EITHER.

ODI #11093585AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ONE AND STAYS ON. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE.

ODI #11081165POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM A HIGH GEAR TO A LOW GEAR AND SHAKES VIOLENTLY

ODI #11066021SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, I STARTED TO HEAR A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT HOME AND CHECKED IT OUT, I SAW THAT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAD BUSTED FROM WHERE IT IS BOLTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. IT HAS CRACKED ACROSS THE ENTIRE MOUNT FROM BOLT TO BOLT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER REAR SHOCK.

ODI #11055704SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEATS OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMING APART FROM THE BASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HODGES MAZDA AT THE AVENUES, 10681 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256) AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

ODI #11034435FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I STARTED NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR WHENEVER I TURNED ON AC. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF SOME LEAK BUT THERE WAS NO LEAK ANYWHERE OUTSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN USING THE CAR FOR THE COMMUTE JUST WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. WHEN THE SMELL CONTINUED TO EXIST I TOOK IT TO EARNHARDT MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE AZ WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUT TO MAKE SURE I WENT TO FIRESTONE AS WELL WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAS A LEAK AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I HAD TO STOP DRIVING THIS CAR FURTHER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS. THIS CAR NEVER WENT THROUGH ANY CRASH AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY. THE SUMMERS IN AZ ARE REALLY HOT SO I'M NOT SURE IF THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT MAZDA CAN INVESTIGATE THIS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT FOR THIS COMPONENT?

ODI #11010363UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR CONTINUINGLY SHOWS EVAP DTCS INCLUDING P0443 AND P0446 AS WELL AS EITHER TOO RICH OR TOO LEAN FUEL MIXTURE AND AND O2 SENSOR ISSUE CODE. BOTH O2 SENSORS WERE REPLACE PREVIOUSLY. THE MAIN CONCERN IS DANGEROUS AND HAS ALREADY ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHILE THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE ISSUE IS, WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS AT 0 MPH, THE NORMAL IDLING RPM SPEED IS AROUND 750RPM. DURING STOPS LONGER THAN A SECOND, THE CAR WILL LOWER THE IDLE RPMS TO ABOUT 500RPM AND STAY UNTIL THE THROTTLE IS ENGAGED. WHEN THE THROTTLE IS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND COMES CLOSE TO STALLING. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT POWER THE WHEELS ABOVE ABOUT 1000RPMS WHEN THE THROTTLE IS FULLY DEPRESSED AND THE CAR WILL HESITATE UNTIL THE CAR STARTS TO GRADUALLY MOVE FORWARD. THIS ALL IS HAPPENING IN THE INTERSECTION. AS THE CAR GETS TO THE INTERSECTION, THE CAR STARTS TO PICK UP TO ABOUT 1000 TO 1500RPM AND ONLY THEN WILL THE CAR START TO FULLY DRIVE FORWARD WITHOUT RELATION TO DRIVER'S FORCED DEPRESSION OF THE THROTTLE. BASICALLY THE VEHICLE IS DEFIANTLY NOT GOING ABOVE 1500RPM UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS A CERTAIN WAYS FORWARD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD VERY CLOSE CALLS WITH A DODGE DURANGO, A TRACTOR TRAILER, AN UNIDENTIFIED SEDAN, AND A TOYOTA PRIUS (OF ALL THE VEHICLES IN THE WORLD). I WAS ALMOST "T-BONED" BY A PRIUS. THIS ISSUE IS I BELIEVE TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM OR ENGINE AS THIS ISSUE ONLY REALLY OCCURS WHEN IT IS VERY VERY HUMID OR HOT OUT. USUALLY ABOVE 80 DEGREES WITH ANY HUMIDITY AT ALL. COULD BE A VAPORLOCK, ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL FOR A FUEL INJECTED VEHICLE, IT ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE.

ODI #10981205STEERING

STARTED VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, NO POWER STEERING AVAILABLE. WENT OUT LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LATER. DROVE TO WORK AND AFTER WORK STARTED VEHICLE. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, NO POWER STEERING, AND REMAINED THAT WAY INTERMITTENTLY FOR 45 MINUTE DRIVE HOME, MOSTLY ON. VEHICLE PARKED SINCE.

ODI #10980359SERVICE BRAKESCRASH2 INJURIES

APPROACHING A REDLIGHT AT A HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, MY SON PRESSED HIS FOOT DOWN ON ON THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT WORK AT ALL AND RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT DESTROYED THE CAR AND INJURED THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR HE STRUCK. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE BRAKES COMPLETELY REPAIRED WHEN THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED WHILE BRAKING. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE SPECIFICS OF THE BRAKE REPAIR UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHY HE HAD REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. INTERNET SEARCHES AFTER THE ACCIDENT SEEMED TO INDICATE THAT THIS HAPPENED WITH SOME FREQUENCY TO OTHERS AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I LET SOMEONE KNOW.

ODI #10966230STEERING

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND NO POWER STEERING THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS SINCE CUT ON AND OFF AGAIN WORKING. WE REPLACED THE PUMP WITH ANOTHER PUMP JUST THE OTHER DAY AND IT DOES THE SAME THING.. THIS IS NOT VERY SAFE WHEN TURNING IT WOULD KICK ON AND WORK AFTER NOT WORKING RIGHT WHEN YOU WERE TRYING HARD TO TURN AND MAKING YOU LOSE CONTROL.

ODI #10939048AIR BAGS

LIKE THE MAZDA 6 FOR 2008, MY SON'S MAZDA 3 2006 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT NOT TURNING OFF. A MAZDA DEALER TOLD HIM IT WOULD COST $400 TO FIX AND THE WERE NO GUARANTEES IT WOULD BE FIXED. HE HAD IT FIXED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO OFFERED A GUARANTEE. I PAID FOR IT AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED LIKE THE MAZDA 6, AS IT IT A MATTER OF SERIOUS SAFETY.

ODI #10930320EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY GOING OUT. HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY 6 MONTHS OR APPROX 6,000 MILES. ONE LIGHT GOES OUT, THEN THE OTHER WITHIN A WEEK.

ODI #10925262ENGINE

MAZDA3 ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR DOWN TO 3RD GEAR ON ITS OWN WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHTS CAME ON. SEEMED LIKE THE STEERING/TRACTION WAS IMPAIRED. CAUSED THE MOTOR TO WRACK AND BLOW RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. TOWED IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT SHIFTING THAT SUDDENLY CAUSE THE MOTOR TO BLOW. HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND HAD IT REPAIRED, TURBINE SPEED SENSOR. THIS LAST OCCURRENCE AFFECTED NOT ONLY THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE ENGINE AS WELL. HAS CONSTANTLY HAD MOTOR MOUNT ISSUES, AS WELL, WHICH REQUIRED REPAIRS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE BEHAVIOR AND IS UNACCEPTABLE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED?

ODI #10904950POWER TRAIN

TYPICALLY BUT NOT ONLY WHEN TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MY 2003 MAZDA 3 SHIFTS DOWN FROM THE 4TH TO THE 3RD GEAR. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTROLS TO ILLUMINATE INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE, NO TRACTION AND AT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE OF THIS, AND HE SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION BY CHANGING THE FILTER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. HE SUGGESTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND IF SO, DID YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED IT AND HOW TO FIX IT.

ODI #10904236POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

ODI #10884613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WON'T START DUE TO CORROSION ON STARTER WIRE HARNESS. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WILL START BUT EVEN AFTER HAVING THE CORROSION CLEANED OFF THE WIRES, IT STILL WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME

ODI #10871105POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

MY CAR IDLES REALLY ROUGH. ONCE I GET CLOSE TO FREEWAY SPEED MY CAR CONSTANTLY SHIFTS GEARS FROM 3 TO 4 TO 3, SO ON. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO JERK, IT REVS FROM 3,000 TO 1,000 AND EVEYTHING IN BETWEEN. DURING THIS MY BRAKES BECOME PRACTICALLY USELESS, I HAVE TO COMPLETELY PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE IT DECELERATE. AND BRAKING DISTANCES ARE DRASTICALLY INCREASED. IT FURTHER WORRIES ME THAT I DONT HAVE ANY DASH LIGHTS ON SUCH AS CHECK ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, ABS, ETC.

ODI #10839647STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ODI #10838055STEERING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PART 1 - 1. RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). AS PER INSTRUCTION, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO AN OFFICIAL, AUTHORIZED REPAIR MAZDA DEALER ON 8/24/15 (LIBERTY MAZDA, WAKEFIELD, MA) FOR A DIAGNOSTIC REPORT TO BE DONE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WAS COMPLETED, I KEPT MY VEHICLE THERE FOR REPAIR OF THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY NOT WORKING. I FAXED AND MAILED TO THE NHTSA, THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, THE TOTAL INVOICE OF REPAIR, PROOF OF PAYMENT IN FULL, AS WELL AS 3-4 MORE DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY LIBERTY MAZDA, AND I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED ANY UPDATE AS OF YET. I WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO MY LOW MILEAGE, MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS BY 2006 MAZDA 3 OWNERS FOR THE SAME ISSUE HAVE BEEN FILED, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THIS CLEARLY IS A "SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT" (DIRECT QUOTE FROM ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV UNDER "WHEN IS A RECALL NECESSARY?, PAGE 6 OUT OF 20) WAS TOLD THAT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS COSTLY REPAIR WOULD BE ISSUED BY RECALL OR BY WARRANTY DUE TO MY LOW MILEAGE. ALSO QUOTING FROM ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV UNDER "EXAMPLES OF DEFECTS CONSIDERED SAFETY-RELATED", (PAGE 7 OUT OF 20), WHICH STATES "STEERING COMPONENTS THAT BREAK SUDDENLY CAUSING PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.", I ABSOLUTELY FEEL THAT THIS REIMBURSEMENT ISSUE BE ADDRESSED TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 2. RE: AIR BAGS: I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM U.S. DOT NHTSA, DATED FRIDAY, 1/08/16 STATING MY CAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR MAY BE INVOLVED IN A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO: 15V869; SUBJECT: PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY RUPTURE. I THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER EMAIL ON 2/6/16 STATING MY CAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR MAY BE INVOLVED IN ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL: MANUFACTURER: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS; MAKE / MODEL YEARS : MAZDA / 2004-2006, SUBJECT: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FRONTAL INFLATOR MAY RUPTURE.. AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY SEPARATE

ODI #10838057STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

PART 2 -(CONT.) RE: COMPLAINT FILED ON 8/21/15 (ARFC/NHTSA ID NO: 10750380) (DENISE FROM ARFC REF NO: 902722). LETTERS FROM MY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER PROVIDING NECESSARY REPAIR INFORMATION ETC. I AM ADDING THESE COMPLAINTS TO MY EXISTING COMPLAINT, AS DURING MY INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, DATED 8/24/15, I FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU, IT STATES HOW MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IS IN THE WRONG POSITION, WHICH I HAD TO DECLINE TO HAVE FIXED, AS I AM FINANCIALLY UNAVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD ALSO BE ADDRESSED AND COVERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE ALARMING ABOVE-MENTIONED E-MAILS I HAD RECEIVED AND BELIEVE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE CLEARLY RELATED. AND 3. (PART 1) RE: UNKNOWN/OR OTHER: AS A RESULT OF HAVING MY POWER STEERING ISSUE REPAIRED (INITIAL COMPLAINT), I WAS TOLD AFTER THE REPAIR BY A MR. CARLETON AT LIBERTY MAZDA, WAKEFIELD, MA, THAT WHEN MY RIGHT DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL IS TURNED ON, IT NOW CONTINUOUSLY CLICKS EXTREMELY FAST (CODE B2899 RT DIRECTIONAL - EST FOR DIRECTIONAL WIRING TO JUST START TO LOCATE THE ISSUE IS LISTED ON THE SUBMITTED DIAGNOSTIC REPORT IS $220.00) BUT THAT IT SHOULDN'T EFFECT ME GETTING A NEW CAR INSPECTION STICKER OR ANYTHING, SO I HAD TO DECLINE FIXING DUE TO COST. (THIS ISSUE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AS WELL, THAT I HAVE FAXED AND MAILED TO YOU.) I AM ALSO UNABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED AS WELL, AND FOR THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST AT ALL BEFORE I ORIGINALLY BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING FIXED AND THIS ISSUE APPEARED AFTER THAT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN FULL AND FIXED BY MANUFACTURER; 3. (PART 2.) CONTINUOUS ISSUE BEGINNING ROUGHLY 3-4 WEEKS OF PURCHASE (BOUGHT BRAND NEW, NOT USED): CLOCK IN VEHICLE IS SET TO THE PROPER TIME, BUT WILL ONLY LAST A MONTH MAYBE AT VERY MOST BEFORE IT CHANGES AUTO AND DISPLAYS A RANDOM TIME.

ODI #10821171ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

ODI #10794805ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR WENT FROM 5TH GEAR TO NEUTRAL...THE CAR JERKED/BUCKED AND I WAS THROWN INTO THE LANE NEXT TO ME. THANK GOODNESS I DID NOT HIT ANYONE ELSE OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. EVEN DRIVING IN TOWN THE CAR DOES NOT GET INTO GEAR LIKE IT SHOULD AND STALLS OUT THEN BUCKS ABRUPTLY. THE AT LIGHT FLASHES AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). MY 2006 MAZDA3 HAS BEEN MAINTAINED EXTREMELY WELL AND ALWAYS SERVICED WHEN SUGGESTED. I JUST HIT 95K MILES. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS BESIDES THIS ONE. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SO I HAVE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED PROMPTLY BUT NONE OF THE AUTO SHOPS CAN ORDER THIS PART. THEY ALL HAVE TOLD ME IT'S ON "BACK ORDER". EVEN THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS PART FOR ME. IT'S BEEN 3 WEEKS NOW SINCE MY CAR STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I'VE HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR TO GET TO WORK SINCE IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT MAZDA CAN'T SEEM TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. ALL THE AUTO SHOPS I'VE SPOKE TO INCLUDING MY LOCAL DEALER HAVE SAID THIS TCM PART IS THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT AND PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY CAN THEY NOT GET THE PART NECESSARY TO FIX THE PROBLEM? AND WHY HAS THIS PART NOT BEEN RECALLED BY MAZDA?... ARE THEY NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR DRIVERS?... I CANNOT KEEP PAYING FOR A RENTAL CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND A TON TO HAVE THIS PART FIXED ONCE THE PART IS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? I THOUGHT I HAD A RELIABLE CAR FROM A RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE MAKER BUT NOW I'M WORRIED I MADE A MISTAKE PURCHASING THIS CAR.

ODI #10775306SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

I WAS ON A FREEWAY OFF-RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN LOUD GRINDING AND CRASHING NOISES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR THEN BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND WOULD NO LONGER PROPEL ITSELF. I COASTED INTO A DRIVEWAY NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE OFF-RAMP. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION "MOTOR MOUNT" HAD BROKEN. THE ENGINE APPARENTLY LUNGED FORWARD, SHEERING OFF BOLTS TO THE OTHER MOTOR MOUNTS, AND LANDED ON THE SUSPENSION, SEVERELY DAMAGING MANY FRONT-END PARTS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALERSHIP, WHOSE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED MY ASSESSMENT OF WHAT HAD OCCURRED. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS APPROXIMATELY $3,000. BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, HAVING BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. (I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS.) I DISCOVERED THAT MAZDA HAD RECALLED A NUMBER OF MAZDA 3'S FOR MOTOR MOUNT PROBLEMS, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT AMONG THOSE RECALLED. WHILE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL TYPE OF FAILURE, WHICH, UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS COLLISION. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS OVER THE YEARS, WITH FAR MORE MILES ON THEM, AND NEVER HAD A MOTOR MOUNT FAIL IN SUCH A CATASTROPHIC MANNER. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW.

ODI #10750380STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,162. UPDATED 1/19/16 LN *CN

ODI #10726729VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

VEHICLE HAS HAD, ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BEEN DRIVEN, NOT AT ANY PARTICULAR SPEED AND LOST 4TH GEAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS, AN AT LIGHT APPEARS, AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO DOWNSHIFT THE CAR DOWN TO 3RD GEAR. UPON ME NOTICING THIS. I WAIT UNTIL IT IS SAFE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND MAKE A COMPLETE STOP SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO FIX THE DISAPPEARANCE AND REMOVAL OF THE 4TH GEAR AS WELL AS THE AT LIGHT, BUT ONLY OCCASIONALLY. IT DOES NOT HOWEVER REMOVE THE ENGINE LIGHT. THOUGH AFTER A FEW DIFFERENT TRIPS ON DIFFERENT DAYS THE LIGHT WILL NOT APPEAR ON START UP AND DOES NOT SHOW UP UNTIL THIS ISSUE HAPPENS AGAIN. THE CAR SHOWS ERROR CODE P0715 AND IS POSSIBLY NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR. THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.

ODI #10723472EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. EVERY TIME IT RAINED, WATER ENTERED INTO THE HEADLIGHT COMPARTMENT, WHICH PREVENTED THE AMOUNT OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,937.

ODI #10714465AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCRASH3 INJURIES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS FAILED TO RETRACT. THE DRIVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

ODI #10713976POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

THE ENGINE WAS COLD. I ENTERED THE CAR, STARTED THE ENGINE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, SCREAMING. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR WITH FULL BRAKING AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. I RESTARTED AND IT WORKED NORMALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPEN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HELP!!!! *TR

ODI #10712305POWER TRAIN

DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION, THE VEHICLE MASTER CLUTCH CYLINDER PLUNGER CONNECTING FROM THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE MASTER CYLINDER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE AND DISCONNECTED THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER THEREBY RENDERING THE CLUTCH SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THIS CAUSED THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE DRIVE GEARS AND INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH THEREFORE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL ONCE I SAFELY BRAKED TO A STOP. IN MY SITUATION I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF I WERE AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

ODI #10711971POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INDEPENDENTLY INTO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

ODI #10704652ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL HOUSING FILTER FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

ODI #10681381STRUCTURE,WHEELS

THE BACK REAR WHEEL WELLS COLLECT SO MUCH DIRT AND SALT IT ENDS UP RUSTING IT OUT! THERE NEEDS TO BE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE WHEEL WELLS OR BETTER DRAIN HOLES! I WASH MY CAR EVERY WEEK IN THE WINTER AND IT IS STILL HARD TO PREVENT IT! THE REAR STRUT MOUNT TAKES A TOLL ON THE ABUSE FROM ALL THE SALT AND DIRT THAT COLLECTS NEAR THE TOP WHERE IT IS SCREWED IN! HAD MY STRUT BREAK TWICE IN ONE MONTH! THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER DRAIN HOLES FOR THE DOORS TOO! *TR

ODI #10681382AIR BAGS,SEATS

THE AIRBAG SENSOR AROUND THE SEAT AREA ISN'T PROTECTED VERY WELL FROM DIRT AND DEBRIS! NEEDS TO BE SECURED BETTER! *TR

ODI #10681378SUSPENSION

I HIT A BUMP GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AND AFTER I HIT THE BUMP I KEPT HEARING A CLUNK NOISE WHEN I WOULD RUN OVER A UNEVEN PART OF THE ROAD! I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING IN MY SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT OR MY SEAT BELT IN THE BACK! COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS MY REAR STRUT MOUNT THAT HAD BROKEN! ALL THAT DIRT AND SALT COLLECTS UP THERE! *TR

ODI #10681379ENGINE

THE TOP ENGINE MOUNT IS POORLY BUILT! THE RUBBER INSERT DOESN'T LAST LONG ENOUGH. METAL PART IS NOT VERY STURDY! *TR

ODI #10667143STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ,LOST POWER CANT TURN THE WHEEL. *TR

ODI #10655100POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND SUDDENLY A LOUD NOISE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 3RD WITHOUT LOSING SPEED (EXCEPT FROM ME TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS WHEN HEARING THE NOISE) ALL AT THE SAME TIME. MY MECHANIC SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE POINTED TO THE "TURBINE SPEED SENSOR", SO THIS WAS REPLACED WITHIN 2 DAYS. THE SAME DAY I GOT THE CAR BACK, I DROVE IT ABOUT 30 MILES AND IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. NOW MY MECHANIC IS CHECKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *TR

ODI #10654880TIRES

ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL, PARALLEL TO THE RIM, CONSISTENT WITH PENDING TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE. TIRES WERE KEPT PROPERLY INFLATED AND ROTATED EVERY 7500 MILES. THEY WERE WELL CARED FOR AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED ANOTHER YEAR OR SO. THE DAMAGE DID NOT LEAD TO A CRASH DUE TO CAREFUL INSPECTION, BUT COULD HAVE EASILY GONE UNDETECTED. ALL TIRES WILL BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

ODI #10651020AIR BAGSCRASH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEEDS, SHE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ODI #10644689ENGINE

MOTOR MOUNTS FAIL. THERE IS ALREADY AN EXISTING COMPLAINT. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE OF THE FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS AT VARIOUS TIMES STARTING FROM 1,000 MILES TO 76,000 MILES. *TR

ODI #10639239POWER TRAIN

CAR WAS IN PARK AND WOULD NOT START. PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME TOO. THAT TIME I REPOSITIONED THE CAR TO PARK(TOOK IT OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT BACK IN PARK) AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. UPON TALKING TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE "NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH" THAT IS FAULTY AND SHOULD BE REPLACED AS THIS PROBLEM WILL ONLY GET WORSE WITH TIME. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED 2 YRS AGO FROM A DEALER. *TR

ODI #10638395AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEFLATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPLOYING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE CHEST, ARMS, FACE, AND EYES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

ODI #10629101SERVICE BRAKES

TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES AT ALL WHEELS. NO PRIOR INDICATION OF BRAKE ISSUES BEFORE TOTAL LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY. VEHICLE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL USING MECHANICAL EMERGENCY BRAKE. REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET MASTER CYLINDER - EXTREMELY POOR BRAKE FUNCTION AT PRESENT, BUT VEHICLE STILL IN USE WITH DIFFICULTY. *TR

ODI #10617786AIR BAGS

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON , THE DASHBOARD, MAKING ONE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THIS IN FLORIDA CARS...IT NOW SEEMS TO BE A MORE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM IN ALL AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. *TR

ODI #10610133SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECRASH

ACCIDENT.

ODI #10609646AIR BAGS

THIS IS WHAT I WROTE TO MAZDA REGARDING MY AIRBAGS: THE REASON I'M CONTACTING YOU IS BECAUSE I RECENTLY HEARD IN THE NEWS THAT YOU WERE RECALLING MANY CARS FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS FOR WARM WEATHER CLIMATES IN FLORIDA AND PUERTO RICO. I TRIED LOOKING AT THE RECALL INFORMATION ON YOUR WEBSITE BUT IT DOES NOT WORK. THAT WEBPAGE IS BLANK WHEN YOU HIT THE LINK. THE REASON I'M WRITING IS TO SEE IF MY CAR IS PART OF THE RECALL AS WELL. TWO WEEKS AGO MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AS WELL. MY CAR IS ONLY FROM 2006 AND ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. I DON'T BELIEVE MY CARS AIRBAG SHOULD BE FAULTY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT THE PRESENT AGE OF MY CAR. CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE AND LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS? I'M REALLY CONCERN ABOUT MY AIRBAGS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MY CAR, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I'LL SEND IT RIGHT AWAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THIS IS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM MAZDA: THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONTACT MAZDA. DUE TO A PROACTIVE, PREVENTATIVE INVESTIGATION BY MAZDA AND NHTSA, MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM (SSP96) TO REPLACE CERTAIN AIR BAG INFLATORS ON SOME VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN FLORIDA, HAWAII, AND PUERTO RICO. THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SSP IS TO COLLECT THE AIR BAG INFLATORS IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE THEM AND THE LIMITED AFFECTED AREAS FOR THIS PROGRAM WERE DEFINED BY NHTSA BASED ON THEIR INVESTIGATION THUS FAR. YOU WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PROCEED SHOULD MAZDA DETERMINE THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS CONCERN. SHOULD YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE NUMBER BELOW AND REFERENCE YOUR SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER. [XXX] REPRESENTATIVE, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ODI #10587082STRUCTURE

THE DASH IS STARTING TO CRACK NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE. ITS JUST GETTING LARGER OVER TIME. I'M AFRAID IT COULD POSE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. MAZDA DEALER TOLD ME ITS A COMMON ISSUE ON MY YEAR, EVEN THE YEAR AFTER TOO. SEEMS PEOPLE ONLINE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME TOO. WHY WONT MAZDA RECALL? NOT THE FIRST ISSUE I'VE HAD. *TR

ODI #10575620VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2006 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRONIC GAS PEDAL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT WOULD STAY IN THE DOWN POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, AFTER HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE PEDAL. THE ENGINE REVVED TO 7000 RPM, WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE CONSUMER. HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE ELECTRONIC GAS PEDAL HAD MALFUNCTIONED.*JB

ODI #10576700STEERING

POWER STEERING SEEMS TO QUIT - POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. SINCE WE WERE ON A FREEWAY, IT WAS SOME TIME BEFORE WE COULD GET OFF THE ROAD. STEERING WAS AVAILABLE, BUT VERY STIFF. WE TURNED OF THE ENGINE AND GOT POWER STEERING BACK/WARNING LIGHT OFF. SINCE THEN THE POWER STEERING WILL "FAIL" (GET STIFF) AS WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, IF WE WERE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD ON A STEEP CURVE? WE DO NOT FIND MAZDA'S LITTLE FILM ON WHAT TO DO IF THIS PROBLEM TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM!! I AM TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD LIKELY RUN $1,400 TO FIX, WOW! NOT SURE I WILL BUY ANOTHER MAZDA, IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED. *TR

ODI #10576455STEERING

OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS, MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH TURNS ON. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING LASTS FOR ANYWHERE FROM 5 SECONDS TO 5 MINUTES, AND TYPICALLY RESOLVES WHEN BRAKING AND/OR TURNING AND SPEED IS REDUCED TO BELOW 20 MPH. THE POWER STEERING LOSS HAS OCCURRED AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS, RANGING FROM 25 TO 70 MPH, AND HAS LED TO A JERKING OF THE WHEEL AND A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY. ON AVERAGE IT OCCURS ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE PER DAY, SO ROUGHLY EVERY 20-30 MILES ON AVERAGE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM FOR 2006 MAZDA3'S, AND A RECALL FOR THE 2007-2009 MODELS. THEREFORE I AM HOPEFUL THAT 2006 MAZDA3S WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL TO AVOID POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, AND PURCHASED IT WITH ABOUT 42,000 MILES. *TR

ODI #10568036ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE THAT SMELLED LIKE RUBBER. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ALSO MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT EVERYTHING OFF. CALLED THE DEALER WHO WALKED ME THROUGH AND WE VERIFIED IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH THAT BROKE OFF. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH OR ANYTHING. AC IS NOW UNUSABLE UNTIL ITS FIXED. GLAD IT DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE, WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT HAPPENED. NOW I HAVE TO GET IT FIXED, $1200+. *TR

ODI #10567051STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ODI #10563800STRUCTURE

A MAJOR CRACK IN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD, IT GOES RIGHT THROUGH THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR. I WOULD ASSUME IS DUE TO THE HOT WEATHER AND THE QUICK TEMPERATURE CHANGES WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO. DUE TO THE CRACK, A SLIGHT SINKING OF THE ACTUAL DASH HAS STARTED TO OCCUR, MEANING , YOU COULD TELL THAT SOMETHING HAS CRACKED AND THE SIDES ARE SLIDING DOWN. I HAVE GONE ON MANY THREADS ON FORUMS THAT ARE ALL ABOUT THAT ISSUE. 5 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT ALSO HAPPENS ON THE 2ND GENERATION AS WELL. LAST THING THAT MIGHT BE CAUSED BY THAT "CRACKAGE" ARE THE RETAINING CLIPS LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE WHOLE DASHBOARD MORE TOWARDS THE LEFT SIDE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. IT MAKES A VIBRATING, MORE LIKE A DANGLING NOISE AS OF SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR IN THE WORST CASE BROKEN. *TR

ODI #10554174POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3I TOURING SEDAN . I WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP A CAKE FOR MY ANNIVERSARY WHEN I PARKED THE CAR GOT OUT GOT THE CAKE AND LEFT THE PARKING SPOT JUST A FEW FEET DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD SOME NOISE THOUGHT IT WAS MY ENGINE UNDER BODY PLASTIC THAT PROTECTS THE UNDER PART OF MY ENGINE. WELL WENT HOME TOOK IT OFF DRIVEN IT AROUND STILL THE SAME NOISE GRINDING THE DEALER SAID TRANSMISSION AND 3OTHERS SAID POWERTRAIN PROBLEMS I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF IT HAS A RECALL ON THE POWERTRAIN/ CARRIER AND PINION BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

ODI #10550576ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I AM HAVING A PROBLEM. IT STARTED BY THE CAR NOT STARTING, THEN IT WOULD START AND BE FINE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. BATTERY WAS NOT LOW, FLUIDS WERE PERFECT, EVERYTHING WAS TESTED AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. BUT THERE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. NOW, THE CAR STARTS BUT I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK AND THE LETTERS DON'T LIGHT UP WHEN I SHIFT GEARS. IT'S A SECURITY PROBLEM I BELIEVE BUT THERE ARE NOT MANY MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO LONG. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *TR

ODI #10549481EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

MAZDA CONTINUES TO IGNORE MY COMPLAINT AND ADMITS MY CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MY MAT AFTER THE BRACKET BROKE OFF DUE TO A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEY FIXED THE BRACKET BUT DID NOT FIX THE MAT. EVER SINCE THEN, IT GETS CRUMPLED AND STICKS TO THE BREAK AND PEDAL. ITS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. LAST NIGHT I WAS WITH MY WIFE AT A DRIVE THROUGH. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE, THREW IT IN PARK, AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. I THEN TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. WHAT HAPPENED IS THE MAT GOT STUCK AND WHEN MY WIFE PUSHED THE BRAKE, SHE TAPPED THE GAS. I HAVE TOLD MAZDA ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, THEY DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THE ISSUE, NOW THEY JUST IGNORE ME. NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS IT COULD HAVE A WORSE ENDING. JUST BECAUSE THEY RATHER SAVE MONEY THEN FIX THE ISSUE FOR A LOYAL CUSTOMER. THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE ISSUE PREVIOUSLY BUT FAILED. NOW THEY WONT EVEN RETURN MY CALLS AND IGNORE ME. THE DEALER EVEN TRIED BUT WAS DENIED THE WARRANTY. THE FACT REMAINS, MAZDA ADMITS MY CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND TOLD ME THEY WONT FIX IT, FOR AN ISSUE THAT HAPPENED UNDER WARRANTY AND NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. THEY ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BUT FAILED, IN FACT, I COULD ARGUE IT MADE THE ISSUE WORSE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE MAT THEY BENT IT EVEN MORE, AND NOW JUST IGNORE ME WHEN I ASK THEM TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AGAIN. *TR

ODI #10548247TIRES

DUNLOP SP SPORT SIGNATURE SIDEWALL SEPARATION. RISK OF SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS MODEL OF TIRE ON WEB SITES SUCH AS: HTTP://WWW.VEHICLETIRE.COM/COMPLAINT/DUNLOP/SP+SPORT+SIGNATURE. *TR

ODI #10547323SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING AT 35 MPH BRAKES GAVE OUT. BRAKES NEEDED TO BE PUMPED JUST TO STOP AND HAD 8 YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE CAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BRAKE BOOSTER WAS BAD AND WOULD COST $625 TO FIX. FOUND ON-LINE ON FORUMS THAT MAZDA BRAKE BOOSTERS GO OUT AT ABOUT 50K MILES. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. HAVE OWNED 6 VEHICLES OF DIFFERENT MAKES AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING FAIL ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART FOR DRIVER SAFETY. *TR

ODI #10543511ENGINEFIRE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FLAMES ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE SUMMONED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

ODI #10538324TIRES

BOUGHT THE VIVIA AUTHORITY TIRES BACK IN 2010 MADE IT A OUT 40,000 MILES BEFORE THE PASSENGER SIDE WALL BLEW OUT AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTING SEVERELY. THESE TIRES TRULY NEED TO BE RECALLED. *JS

ODI #10516117AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS GONE OFF AND ON SINCE OCT 2012. NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

ODI #10515634POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIGHT, AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

ODI #10503305ENGINE

ENGINE MOUNT NO 3 (LOCATED ON FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE, UNDER THE WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR) FAILED. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS VERY FREQUENT WITH THIS MODEL. THE FAILURE JEOPARDIZES THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

ODI #10487752STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 101N, I SAW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. STEERING WHEEL FELT STIFF AND I HAVE TO FIGHT IT TO KEEP THE CAR IN CONTROL WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN AT 45MI/HR. I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE OVER 20 TIME NOW. ON 12/7/12 THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SO MANY TIMES THAT I HAD TO PARK MY CAR AT A RANDOM SHOPPING CENTER AND HAVE A FRIEND PICK ME UP. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS NOT A SIMILAR ISSUE AS THE 07-9 MODEL, SO THEY HAVE TO CHARGE ME A $150 DIAGNOSTICS FEE. I AM CURRENTLY AT 94,385 MILES AND MY EXTENDED COVERAGE ALSO EXPIRED. BASED ON MY RESEARCH IT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO 1700-2000. I'M NOT SURE IF MAZDA GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT ID LIKE MY VOICE TO BE HEARD. *TR

ODI #10483873STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING AREA AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING AND BRAKES RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

ODI #10483142STEERING

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2006 MAZDA 3S WILL FAIL. SOMETIMES IF I TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK AGAIN. MOST TIMES I HAVE TO FIGHT IT WITH NO POWER STEERING. MY RESEARCH ONLINE INDICATES THAT I AM HARDLY THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. ON A MAZDA 3 FORUM FROM TORONTO THEY STATE THAT THE SUPPOSED PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAS FLAKED AWAY AND CLOGS THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH THEN BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND HENCE IT SHUTS DOWN. MAZDA HAS OWNED UP TO THE 2007-2009 MODELS HAVING THIS PROBLEM BUT, ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL MAZDA STEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE 2006 MODEL HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAZDA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. I THOUGHT MAZDA STOOD FOR QUALITY, APPARENTLY NOT. AT THIS TIME I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER MAZDA PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY ARE IGNORING THIS ISSUE. *TR

ODI #10481439EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

THE MAT BRACKET CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING IN 2008. THE MAT CRUMBLED UP IN THE MIDDLE. IT COULD HAVE GOTTEN STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL OR BREAK PEDAL. MAZDA AGREED TO FIX THE BRACKET. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE MAT. TO THIS DAY THE MAT STILL CRUMBLES. I ASKED MAZDA TO REPLACE THE MAT, BUT THEY SAID ITS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THEY AGREED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SAID I SHOULD REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND INSIST ITS MY FAULT THAT THE MAT WOULD CRUMBLE. *TR

ODI #10481331SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED AND HEATED OVERHEATED. THE BRAKE PADS STARTED TO SMOKE AS WELL. *TR

ODI #10473040SUSPENSION,ENGINE

RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WHEN TURNING HARD RIGHT, AS WELL AS WHEEL HOP. DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT WHICH LED TO A BROKEN STRUT. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. MAZDA REFUSES TO FIX, DESPITE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF BAD ENGINE MOUNTS. *TR

ODI #10467678STEERING

I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND MY WHEEL STIFFENED UP. I TURNED OFF MY ENGINE AND TURNED IT BACK ON. I THEN HAD TO POWER MY WHEEL FROM THAT POINT FORWARD. I TRIED PUTTING POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT I NEED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS ISSUE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL THAT WAS PUT ON MAZDA 3'S FOR 2007-2009 MODELS. *TR

ODI #10463020AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ONE AND STAYS ON. I CALLED MAZDA AND HAVE AN INCIDENT REPORT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND PER MAZDA, UNTIL THEY RECEIVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS, THEY WILL NOT RECALL, HENCE WHY I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

ODI #10460534STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY SHUTS OFF, AND THE RADIO/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY AS WELL. ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE ALSO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY (FOR ABOUT ONE FULL SECOND). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I FEEL A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING ME BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT A RECALL, AND THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE 2007 MODEL OF MAZDA 3S, BUT THE 2006 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. *TR

ODI #10457993STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE RADIO BEGAN POWERING ON AND OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE CORRECTED ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,853 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

ODI #10453293STEERING

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 MAZDA 3 AT ABOUT 70 MPH, I NOTICED MY RADIO TURNING ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. NEXT MY "CHECK ENGINE, "BATTERY" AND "POWER STEERING" LIGHTS CAME ON. I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL GET STIFF, WHEN I TRIED TO SWITCH LANES, IT BECAME APPARENT I HAD LOST THE POWER STEERING. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND STARTED TO MERGE OVER TO THE RIGHT TO EXIT ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE EXIT. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY AN BIG RIG AS I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF ITS PATH FAST ENOUGH. AS I BEGAN TO EXIT, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT EXTREMELY STIFF. I PULLED IN TO A CORPORATE PARK COMPLEX, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL ON, I POPPED THE HOOD AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY FLUID LEVELS BEING LOW. I DROVE THE CAR A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AND PULLED IN TO A GAS STATION WITH BETTER LIGHTING. I ONCE AGAIN POPPED THE HOOD, BUT TURNED THE CAR OFF....ONCE AGAIN...NO LOW FLUIDS. I PROCEEDED TO BACK INSIDE THE CAR, I TURNED THE IGNITION AND DISCOVERED NONE OF THE "INDICATOR LIGHTS" BEING TURNED ON. I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT...NO LONGER STIFF. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT. *TR

ODI #10451001STEERING

TWO LOSS OF POWER STEERING INCIDENTS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2011. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MY PARKING GARAGE AT SCHOOL AFTER I HAD TURNED LEFT INTO THE GARAGE. COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS AN EMPTY SPACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. CAR SAT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN DROVE FINE. A WEEK LATER DRIVING THRU AN ALLEY AT ABOUT 10 - 15 MPH LOST STEERING AGAIN, THIS TIME HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THEY CANNOT FIND A THING WRONG CALLING IT A VERY "UNIQUE AND STRANGE" ISSUE. STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WE FOUND THE RECALL ON THE 2007+ MAZDA 3. CALLED MAZDA TODAY, WHILE THEY CREATED A FILE # FOR MY COMPLAINT THEY BASICALLY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO "REPORTED INCIDENTS" ON THIS VEHICLE YEAR , CLAIMING NOT TO KNOW OF THE 2006 HAVING ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO THE 2007+ RECALLED MODELS AND IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. HOW MANY OWNERS MUST RISK DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS BEFORE MAZDA MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?! *TR

ODI #10447797STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 WITH APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES. WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD, THE RADIO WILL SUDDENLY TURN OFF, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES UP ON THE DASH, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. SOMETIMES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THEN DOESN'T SHUT OFF. IT WASN'T TOO FREQUENT AT FIRST, BUT ON SOME DAYS, IT WILL HAPPEN EVERYTIME I DRIVE SOMEWHERE. IT USUALLY OCCURS EARLY IN THE DRIVE. ONCE I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART, IT USUALLY RESETS AND MY CAR IS FINE. I HAVE SEEN THE RECALLS FOR THE 2007 MAZDA 3 MODELS, BUT I THINK MY CAR SHOULD ALSO BELONG IN THIS TOO. PLEASE HELP. THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

ODI #10443803POWER TRAIN

WHILE CRUISING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH, CAR DOWNSHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JOLT AND SLOW DOWN. AT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CAR IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY CAUSING IT TO DOWNSHIFT INTO 3RD RANDOMLY AND ALSO IDLE IN 3RD. THE ENTIRE SHIFTING IS RANDOM AND DANGEROUS, SOMETIMES WORKING AND SOMETIME THROWING YOUR RPMS UP TO 6000. WHILE DRIVING IT CAUSES MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES WHEN IT RANDOMLY CHANGED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN PLUGGED IN I GET ERROR CODE U0101. THE COMPUTER IS FAILING AND WITH RECENT GOOGLE SEARCHES I REALIZE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT MAZDA WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME PERSONALLY. *TR

ODI #10427680STEERING

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THERE IS A TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSING THE CAR TO ALMOST VEER INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE STEERING EFFORD INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE NOTICED NO FAULT LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANNEL WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE STEERING LOSS APPEARS TO OCCUR AT RANDOM AND SPORATICALLY. *TT

ODI #10423149ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY CLUTCH WAS NOT COMING BACK ALL THE WAY AFTER CHANGING GEARS. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE TOP OF MY FOOT TO LIFT THE CLUTCH UP WITHOUT DIFFICULTY AND IT WOULD POP BACK UP. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHICH, I WAS CURRENTLY ABOUT 2 MILES FROM. I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IN THE MORNING. I DROVE HOME ABOUT 3 MILES. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. NO ONE RETURNED MY PHONE CALL, SO I STARTED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, THAN I BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY AFTER ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 3 MILES AND ONLY ABOUT 3 TRAFFIC LIGHTS. AFTER THAT, I COULD PUT THE STICK SHIFT INTO GEAR BUT WHEN I LIFTED THE CLUTCH UP IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AT MAZDA AND HAD ALL MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTIONS AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP ASIDE FROM REGULAR OIL CHANGES WHICH, I GOT DONE AT A LOCAL SHOP. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN A STICK SHIFT AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCHES. I WAS ALSO THE SOLE DRIVER OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT HOME I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND SOMEONE RECOMMENDED FILLING OUT A COMPLAINT AT THIS WEBSITE. IF I HAD NOT STUMBLED ACROSS THAT I WOULD BE NONE THE WISER. WHILE LOOKING OVER THE SITE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECENT INVESTIGATION OF MAZDA RX8. IT STATED THAT AFTER THE INVESTIGATION, MAZDA HAS INFORMED ODI THAT IT CONDUCTED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE PROGRAM INCREASING THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS AND LIMITED AT 100K MILES FOR MODEL YEARS 2004 THROUGH 2009 RX8 VEHICLES. MY QUESTION IS, HOW CAN A CLUTCH HAVE A LIFETIME OF 100,000 MILES IN AN RX8 WHICH IS A SPORTIER CAR AND PROBABLY RECEIVES MORE ABUSE THAN OTHER MODELS AND ONLY GOOD FOR 12,000 IN A 2006 MAZDA 3/HATCHBACK? COULD YOU LOOK INTO ALL MODELS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

ODI #10409220SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WERE DRY AND MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE THE BUSHING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSED THE TIRES TO DETERIORATE ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER TRAILING LINKS AND ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

ODI #10405668STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TOP MODULE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THAT THE CONNECTORS WERE CORRODED AND IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, THEY CLEANED ALL OF THE LINES. THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE TOP MODULE AGAIN AND MOST RECENTLY, THE DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE LINES WERE FLUSHED AND THE CONNECTORS WERE CLEANED. THE DEALER COVERED THE REPAIRS UNDER A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2007-2009 MODELS. UPDATED 08/19/11*JB

ODI #10395863SUSPENSION

I HAD GOTTEN A FLAT TIRE AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE AND KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO NEED NEW TIRES SHORTLY ANYWAYS SO I HAD THEM PUT ON A USED TIRE TO GET ME THROUGH TWO WEEKS AND WHILE DURING THE TWO WEEKS I WAS GONE FOR A FEW DAYS AND HAD NEW BREAKS PUT ON AND ASKED THEM TO JUST DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE- THERE WAS- A BUSTED STRUT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (SIDE THAT I GOT A FLAT). I WAITED UNTIL I GOT HOME FROM A VACATION (CAR WASN'T DRIVEN) AND GOT THAT FIXED BUT EVERYONE WAS SURPRISED WITH THE STRUT BEING OUT. ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AS WERE BOTH FRONT STRUTS. CAR WAS GREAT FOR ~2 WKS. THEN IT WAS LOUD AND TERRIBLE VIBRATIONS. AFTER ARGUING AND COMPLAINING A MONTH LATER THEY REPLACED TIRES FOR ME BECAUSE TWO WEREN'T EVEN KEEPING TIRE PRESSURE AND THEN I REMEMBERED THAT A FEW MONTHS PRIOR I WAS AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP (WHERE I REALLY CAN'T STAND THE JERKS!-THEY'RE AWFUL!) AND THEY SAID I HAD A BUSTED MOTOR MOUNT BUT REFUSED TO SHOW ME. I HAD MY MAIN DEALER CHECK IT OUT BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING THEN A FAMILY FRIEND, BUT AGAIN NOTHING. FF TO DECEMBER AND I GIVE IN AND GO BACK TO MAZDA- MOTOR MOUNT WOULD BE IN MULTIPLE PIECES IF IT WASN'T IN A CAPSULE LIKE DEVICE. IN JANUARY THEY GOT MY PART IN AND REPLACED IT- ALSO KNOCKING OUT A STOPPER- AND VIBRATIONS STOPPED. MOUNT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE OUT SO FAST- AT INITIAL DX I THINK CAR WAS AT 45K-50K MILES (LATE SUMMER OF '10) I THINK THERE'S A DEFECT WITH MOUNTS (MINE WAS PASSENGER SIDE OVER TIRE AREA) AND ALSO WITH STRUTS. EVERYONE HAS TOLD ME- MAZDA, MY DEALER (ZIMBRICK-WHO IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!), AND A FEW OTHER SERVICE CENTERS THAT THE STRUTS SHOULD'VE LASTED A LOT LONGER. *TR

ODI #10395864STRUCTURE

I HAD GOTTEN A FLAT TIRE AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE AND KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO NEED NEW TIRES SHORTLY ANYWAYS SO I HAD THEM PUT ON A USED TIRE TO GET ME THROUGH TWO WEEKS AND WHILE DURING THE TWO WEEKS I WAS GONE FOR A FEW DAYS AND HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON AND ASKED THEM TO JUST DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE- THERE WAS- A BUSTED STRUT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (SIDE THAT I GOT A FLAT). I WAITED UNTIL I GOT HOME FROM A VACATION (CAR WASN'T DRIVEN) AND GOT THAT FIXED BUT EVERYONE WAS SURPRISED WITH THE STRUT BEING OUT. ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AS WERE BOTH FRONT STRUTS. CAR WAS GREAT FOR ~2 WKS. THEN IT WAS LOUD AND TERRIBLE VIBRATIONS. AFTER ARGUING AND COMPLAINING A MONTH LATER THEY REPLACED TIRES FOR ME BECAUSE TWO WEREN'T EVEN KEEPING TIRE PRESSURE AND THEN I REMEMBERED THAT A FEW MONTHS PRIOR I WAS AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP (WHERE I REALLY CAN'T STAND THE JERKS!-THEY'RE AWFUL!) AND THEY SAID I HAD A BUSTED MOTOR MOUNT BUT REFUSED TO SHOW ME. I HAD MY MAIN DEALER CHECK IT OUT BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING THEN A FAMILY FRIEND, BUT AGAIN NOTHING. FF TO DECEMBER AND I GIVE IN AND GO BACK TO MAZDA- MOTOR MOUNT WOULD BE IN MULTIPLE PIECES IF IT WASN'T IN A CAPSULE LIKE DEVICE. IN JANUARY THEY GOT MY PART IN AND REPLACED IT- ALSO KNOCKING OUT A STOPPER- AND VIBRATIONS STOPPED. MOUNT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE OUT SO FAST- AT INITIAL DX I THINK CAR WAS AT 45K-50K MILES (LATE SUMMER OF '10) I THINK THERE'S A DEFECT WITH MOUNTS (MINE WAS PASSENGER SIDE OVER TIRE AREA) AND ALSO WITH STRUTS. EVERYONE HAS TOLD ME- MAZDA, MY DEALER (ZIMBRICK-WHO IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!), AND A FEW OTHER SERVICE CENTERS THAT THE STRUTS SHOULD'VE LASTED A LOT LONGER. *TR

ODI #10393591STEERING

FIRST INCIDENT WAS ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO, WHILE TURNING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED THE RADIO WENT OUT, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND THE STEERING LIGHT ON THE PANEL LIT UP. EVERYTHING CAME BACK WITHIN ABOUT 5 SECONDS. THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, AND YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED NINE TIMES IN THE SPAN OF A 13 MILE DRIVE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I FIND IT STRANGELY COINCIDENTAL THAT THE 2007-2009 MAKES OF THIS VEHICLE WERE ALL RECALLED FOR THIS VERY SAME REASON.

ODI #10380928SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

MY 2006 MAZDA 3I SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE WHEN STOPPING THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE CAR HAS SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 1 DAY OR MORE. WHEN IT SNOWS OR RAINS OUT AND I DRIVE MY CAR AFTER SITTING IN THESE CONDITIONS, APPROACHING MY FIRST INTERSECTION WHICH IS ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM MY HOUSE, I HAVE NO BREAKING ACTION. THERE SEEMS TO BE PRESSURE BECAUSE THE BREAK PEDAL DOES NOT GO TO THE FLOOR, HOWEVER THEY DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AND I HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP. USUALLY ITS TOO LATE AND I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION OR EVEN THROUGH IT. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY AND IT IS HARD TO REMEMBER THAT "IF MY CAR SAT FOR 1 OR MORE DAYS AND IF IT RAINED OR IF IT SNOWED, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. I HAVE FOUND NOTHING ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT WANTED OTHERS TO KNOW IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. *LN

ODI #10378301STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE,TIRESCRASH1 INJURY

FOLLOWING A REAR END COLLISION, MY 2006 MAZDA3 MILEAGE DROPPED FROM ~24MPG TO ~8MPG, WITH NO TORQUE AT ALL FROM ~20MPH. SIGNIFICANT STEERING TROUBLE, AWFUL TIRE NOISE, AND LOUD KNOCKING WHEN TURNING WERE DISMISSED BY THE LOCAL DEALER AS "WELL WITHIN SPECS". REQUESTED BRAKE CALIPER AND ALIGNMENT CHECK, REFUSED BY THE SAME DEALER; TECH PERFORMED A ROAD TEST, DECLARED THE PROBLEM DUE TO TIRE FEATHERING AND DEMONSTRATED 120MPH TIGHT CURVE AS REMEDY. THREE SETS OF TIRES, ONE SET OF WHEELS [3 OF OEM WERE WARPED], ENTIRE COMPLEMENT OF MOTOR MOUNTS, TWO SETS OF ROTORS LATER, I'M ABOUT TO REPLACE CALIPER MOUNTS AND AXLES. CAR IS UNSAFE, AND DEALERSHIP DISREGARD OF WARRANTY AND TSBS, AND OF BASIC SAFETY STANDARDS WAS OUTRAGEOUS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN (ONGOING) [SPINE INJURY FROM COLLISION WAS NEARLY FATAL] CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

ODI #10376633VISIBILITY

WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALER THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACED. I REPLACED THE MOTOR AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY, THE PROBLEM IS NOW OCCURRING AGAIN AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS AFTER BEING REPLACED. FROM READING ELSEWHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL MAZDA 3'S. I FIND IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS AS IT IMPAIRS YOUR VISION GREATLY. *TR

ODI #10369012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STARTER ON MY 2006 MAZDA 3 WILL NOT CRANK OR START INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS HAPPEN FIVE OR SIX TIMES OVER THE 4 AND HALF YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD IT. STARTED ONLY AFTER BEING JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. HAVE SEEN TWO BULLETINS THAT WERE ISSUED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING AFTER OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN FIXED. LUCKILY I HAVE BEEN NEAR HOME WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING. IT HAPPEN AFTER I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MILES AND PARK FOR TEN MINUTES. *TR

ODI #10364808ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS CAR HAS REFUSED TO START. THE "FIX" WAS DONE BY MAZDA OVER THE PAST SUMMER DUE TO A CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STARTER. THIS TIME IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE GETTING STUCK IN FREEZING WEATHER, ICY CONDITIONS, OR A BAD PART OF TOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND OUTLINES IT IN A SERVICE BULLETIN 01-037/08. SHOULD WOMEN OR CHILDREN, OR ANYONE ELSE BE STRANDED AND HARMED IN ANY WAY BY THIS KNOWN DEFECT, I HOPE MAZDA IS LIABLE FOR NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

ODI #10354866ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MOTOR WILL NOT CRANK AND ENGINE DOES NOT START, INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

ODI #10353990TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA 3 THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE AT LIGHT COMING UP AND GOES IN A SECOND AND THE CAR ITS LIKE JERKING AND STOPS FOR A SECOND THE SPEED GOES DOWN SUDDENLY LIKE I JUST HIT THE BRAKES HARD . I TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA DEALER BUT BECAUSE THE LIGHT DOAS NOT STAY THEY CAN NOT TELL WHAT'S GOING. I LOOKED AT IT ONLINE AND I SAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THE MAZDA HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TCM . AFTER 3 MONTH OF DRIVING THE CARS AT THAT SAME CONDITION AND AFTER I ASK DOZENS OF MECHANICS THE LIGHT STAY ON FOR A WHILE I HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER AND IT SAYS LOST COMMUNICATION WITH THE TCM. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THAT MAZDA WILL FIX IT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MONITOR OR THE COMPUTER. *TR

ODI #10353086STEERING

2006 MAZDA 3 I TOURING, STARTED TO HAVE HEAVY STEERING PROBLEM WITHOUT THE STEERING LIGHT TURNING ON AT THE DASHBOARD. FAILURE OCCURS FROM STANDING STOP TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE IN INTERSECTION..HARD TO STEER. EASIER TO STEER WHILE IN MOTION. BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. DEALER CLAIMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MODEL YEAR OF THE RECALL. THANKS. *TR

ODI #10350405STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

ODI #10348209ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

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

ODI #10344213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER FLICKERS ON AND OFF ON SETTINGS 1, 2 AND 3. SO IT IS CONSTANTLY SWITCHING OFF. SECOND THE CD PLAYER WILL NOT ACCEPT OR PLAY CDS, IT JUST SAYS CHECK DISC AND EJECTS THE DISC. THE CLOCK CHANGES TIME OCCASIONALLY TOO. *TR

ODI #10343038VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCRASH1 INJURY

STARTED VEHICLE (2006 MAZDA3) PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND LIGHTLY APPLIED GAS TO PULL AWAY FROM CURB. VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD RAPIDLY AND ENGINE REVVED QUICKLY AND LOUDLY. TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM TO RESPOND OR MAY NOT HAVE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO RESPOND. COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK PARKED ACROSS THE STREET 1 HOUSE DOWN FROM START LOCATION. THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO LIFT THE TRUCK F150 UP AND ONTO THE CURB IT WAS PARKED NEXT TO, ALONG WITH DAMAGING THE AXLE AREA OF THE F150. THE MAZDA3 LOST PART OF THE FRONTEND ON THE ROADWAY DUE TO GETTING WEDGED UNDER THE TRUCK. THE CAR HAD LUNGED FORWARD LIKE THIS ON ONE OCCASION IN THE PREVIOUS WEEK, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RECOVERED WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR

ODI #10330848POWER TRAIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE SHIFT SHOCKED AND BUCKED. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED BACK UP TO FIFTH GEAR AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS NO MATTER THE SPEED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

ODI #10330438TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR GOODYEAR DUNLAP SP SPORT SIGNATURE TIRES, SIZE 205/50R/17 93V, DOT MK7PRNHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS ALSO CRACKED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ALL OF THE REMAINING TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE ALSO EXHIBITING UNUSUAL CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. THE DEALER AGREED TO PRORATE THE COST OF THE TIRES AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD FOUR DIFFERENT BRANDS OF TIRES ON IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

ODI #10329700ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2006 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK ON WILLOW STREET, LONG BEACH, CA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AROUND 4 PM, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND SHE TURNED THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND OUT THE ENGINE WAS LEANT TOWARD FRONT ABOUT 45 DEGREE. SHE DID NOT GO THROUGH ANY BUMPS ON THE ROAD, JUST DRIVING ON NORMAL STREETS. WE CHECKED ON GOOGLE AND DISCOVERED THE BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BEEN THE MAJOR CAUSE OF SUCH KIND OF PROLBEMS. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS CAME FROM THE OWNERS WHO DROVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. THE CARS WITH THE BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS COULD STOP AT THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE ROADS AND CAUSE REAR-ENDED ACCIDENTS. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND INFORM THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE THE PARTS TO ENSURE TJE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES AND THE DRIVERS. *TR

ODI #10321995TIRESCRASH

2006 MAZDA3. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. *BF THE CONSUMER DROVE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A CEMENT WALL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE OFFICER CHECKED THE REAR TIRES AND FOUND THEM TO HAVE LOW TREAD. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. # 10-0656-90 UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF

ODI #10317551VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCRASH

2006 MAZDA 3 LURCHED FORWARD*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD, WHEN SHE BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE TO LET ANOTHER VEHICLE GET OUT, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A LAMP POST. WHEN SHE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN ACCELERATED THROUGH THE PATH SHE HAD BACKED OUT OF AND CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A CONVENIENCE STORE. *JB

ODI #10308746ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,TIRES,EQUIPMENT

I OWN A MAZDA3 2006. THE FOLLOWING ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE OCCURED SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE AND I WANTED EVERYBODY TO BE AWARE OF THEM: 1) THE DASHBOARD CLOCK WAS INCORRECT. IT WOULD LOSE TIME EVERY DAY AND STARTED GOING BACK IN TIME. WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 2) THE TIRES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. NOT SURE WHY THEY WEAR OUT SO FAST, BUT I STOPPED USING THE GOODYEAR TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND GO WITH LONGER LASTING TIRES. 3) THE TIRE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS INCORRECTLY TELLING ME I HAD A PROBLEM. TOOK NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALERSIHP BUT WAS FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 4) THE RIGHT ENGINE BRACK UNDER THE HOOD WAS LOOSE. THEY HAPPENED TO FIND IT WHILE FIXING ANOTHER ISSUE. WAS NEVER CAUGHT IN THAT "FULL CIRCLE INSPECTION" THEY CLAIM THEY DO. AGAIN, FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 5) THE TEMPERATURE COOLANT HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. IT WAS NOT CLOSING. THIS CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON. FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 6) THE RUG UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WAS RIPPING EASILY AND WAS MOVING UNDER THE PEDAL. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED THE RIP. NEVER DID GET A NEW RUG THOUGH, ITS A LITTLE BENT BUT ISSUE HADNT OCCURED SINCE. *TR

ODI #10308323AIR BAGS

1. MANUFACTURING DEFECT? 2. FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR INTERMITTENT (OPEN CIRCUIT ERROR). CAUSING AIRBAG LIGHT CLUSTER TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN ILLUMINATED AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. 3. REPLACED FRONT CRASH SENSOR. *TR

ODI #10308093ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WAS DRIVING AS NORMAL. NOTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY. WENT TO GO START UP THE CAR ONE MORNING TO GO TO WORK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT WAS NOT LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. I TURNED THE KEY, NOTHING HAPPENED. NO STARTER MOTOR GOING, NO CLICKING NOISE...JUST GOT NOTHING. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE COMPUTER THEY ATTACH TO MY CAR WAS GETTING NO READINGS - THERE WAS THE PROBLEM. MY ECU HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ECU. THANKFULLY I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THAT SAVED ME $1100+. BUT I'M AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN ONCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES. *TR

ODI #10308103POWER TRAIN

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC CAME TO A STANDSTILL. I WENT TO ACCELERATE AS THE CARS MOVED AND THEN I REALIZED MY ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND MY CAR WAS DEAD. I PUT IT IN PARK, TURNED THE KEY AGAIN AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. BUT I NOTICED AS I WAS CRAWLING ALONG, MY CAR HAD A ROUGH IDLE. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND RPM SEEMED A LITTLE LOWER THAN USUAL AT IDLE. I FOUND OUT MY MOTOR MOUNT HAD GONE. DEALER REPLACED IT, HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WAS COVERED. GAVE OUT PRETTY QUICK IF YOU ASK ME - AT AROUND 55,000 MILES. *TR

ODI #10296283ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2006 MAZDA 2I. PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET FAILURE. *TR

ODI #10291046STRUCTURE

I AM FILLING THIS FORM OUT IN RESPONSE TO NEGLIGENCE AND FALSE ADVERTISING ON THE PART OF CLAY COOLEY OF DALLAS TEXAS. WHEN ME AND MY FIANCE WENT TO TRADE IN OUR CAR THE FORD DEALER (FIVE STAR FORD) RAN A AUTO CHECK AND FOUND THAT IT HAS FRAME DAMAGE AND WOULD NOT TAKE IT FOR LESS THAN 2000$ BUT WE OWED 14000$ SO WE COULD NEVER GET A LOAN ON ANOTHER CAR WITH THAT CARS REPORT. WHEN WE TALKED TO CLAY COOLEY WE TALKED TO ALEX SERANGA HE SAID WE COULD BRING THE CAR IN AND INSINUATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THE LOAN IF WE GOT ANOTHER CAR, BUT OF COURSE WHEN WE GOT THERE THEY WANTED TO US TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER CAR. ALSO THEY WOULD NOT TELL US WHAT THE AUCTION PAPER WORK SAID FOR THE CAR THEY TRIED TO SELL US AND REFUSED TO SHOW IT TO US. WHEN WE SHOWED THEM THE AUTO CHECK REPORT THAT SAYS THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED ON OUR CAR AND THEY BOUGHT AND SOLD IT KNOWINGLY FROM AUCTION WITH UNIBODY DAMAGE THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF AUTO CHECK. BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE AUTO CHECK WEBSITE I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES PROMOTED BY THE NADA SO THERE CAN BE LITTLE WAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THEM. PLEASE HELP ME I AND MY FAMILY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. THE CAR IS A 2006 MAZDA 3 *TR

ODI #10276511VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCRASH

I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE AND TELLING THIS HORRIFIC STORY. I WAS TRAVELING ALONE IN MY 2006 MAZDA3 ON I-95 TO LUMBERTON ON JUNE 27, 2009 TO MEET MY SISTER AND PICK UP MY MOM WHO HAD BEEN STAYING WITH HER WHILE I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEK. I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON ABOUT 63 MPH AND HAD BEEN TRAVELING BEHIND A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK FOR APPROX. TWO MILES BEFORE I REACHED MY EXIT. I PULLED OVER INTO THE EXIT LANE AND HIT MY BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED! I HIT THEM AGAIN AND NOTHING. I HIT MY ON/OFF CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THE DECELERATION SWITCHES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND HIT MY HORN AND ENTERED A FIVE LANE INTERSECTION AT THE END OF AN UPHILL EXIT RAMP ON A RED LIGHT DOING IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH!!! I KNEW I WAS GOING TO DIE OR BE PHYSICALLY INJURED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHO I WOULD TAKE WITH ME AS I HAD NO WAY TO SLOW OR STOP THE CAR. LOOKING BACK, I KNOW I HAD NO MORE THAN 10 OR 12 SECONDS TO REACT BEFORE I WAS AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP GOING THAT FAST. I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION TO AVOID CARS THAT WERE ENTERING AND I THINK MY CAR SPUN AROUND AND I WAS HIT BY A PICKUP TRUCK IN THE INNER LANE WHO PROBABLY HAD NO IDEA WHERE I CAME FROM. I THEN WENT HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. MY CAR WAS TOTALED, THE ONE I HIT HEAD-ON WAS TOTALED BUT THE PICKUP TRUCK WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT. ALL OF US WERE ABLE TO WALK AWAY - ME VERY SHAKILY. I HAD SEATBELT BRUISES AND AIR BAG BURNS AND ALL OF MY MUSCLES WERE SORE, BUT I AM GETTING BETTER EACH DAY. I STILL HAVE PAIN AND TIGHTNESS IN MY CHEST AREA, BUT FROM WHAT I AM LEARNING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF INJURY IT MAY STAY WITH ME FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. NOTHING BROKEN AND NOTHING SO FAR THAT I CAN'T LIVE WITH. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY NERVES ARE SHATTERED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO HAPPEN TO OTHERS!!! *TR

ODI #10265243TIRES

BOUGHT MY 2006 MAZDA3 NEW. I AM GETTING READY TO REPLACE MY TIRES FOR THE FOURTH TIME! I WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE AT LEAST 120,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT THIS POINT BUT ONLY HAVE 90,000. I AM A CONSERVATIVE DRIVER IN A MILD CLIMATE. I ROTATE, BALANCE AND ALIGN REGULARLY BUT EACH SET HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM...REAR TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE. ADDITIONALLY, SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD MY REAR BRAKES REPLACED TWICE...FRONT BRAKES STILL ORIGINAL. THE BALANCE OF PRESSURE BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR BRAKES OF WAY OFF. THE REAR BRAKES TAKE MOST OF THE PRESSURE. HAVE REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND SIMPLE TOLD THE VEHICLE HAS NO PROBLEMS. THESE ISSUES HAVE BECOME A HUGE EXPENSE AND WOULD AT THE VERY LEAST LIKE TO HEAR MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND OFFER A SOLUTION. *TR

ODI #10263470AIR BAGS

2006 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS 80LB WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED SOMETIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, THE PASSENGER MUST KEEP BOTH LEGS EXTENDED AND SIT UP STRAIGHT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND PRETENSIONER FROM BEING INACTIVATE. *JB

ODI #10257823SUSPENSION

THE "FACTORY SPEC" NEGATIVE CAMBER SETTINGS ON THE MAZDA 3 CAUSED MY TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD EVEN WITH REGULAR TIRE ROTATIONS. BY THE TIME I HAD 30,000 MILES ON THE FACTORY TOYO TIRES THE INSIDE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY BALD. *TR

ODI #10256831ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

UPPER PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SHOCK MOUNT ON MAZDA 3 AT 37K MILES. SHOCK MOUNT TORE LEAKING OIL AND CAUSING VIBRATION. *TR

ODI #10255046ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFIRE

2006 MAZDA 3 WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY AND GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GET UNSTUCK AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE STREET. THE CAR STOPPED IN BACK OF ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS STOPPED, AND BRIEFLY GOT STUCK AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED GOING AGAIN, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED THERE WERE FLAMES, AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE DEPARTMENT ENDED UP GOING UP IN FLAMES. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR ENDED UP (LATER IN JANUARY 2009) AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER, AND ALL THEY CAN SAY IS THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR IS ALL STOCK. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, AS IT IS A 2006 MODEL. THIS DOESN'T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE TO ME. ALSO, I AM MOST CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD LOOK INTO THE INCIDENT A LITTLE MORE. OVERHEATING, POSSIBLY, BUT NOT AN OUT AND OUT FIRE THAT BURNED AND MELTED ALMOST THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF WHAT HAPPENED AND WHERE WE ARE AT NOW. *TR

ODI #10254331SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

2006 MAZDA 3 ALIGNMENT ISSUE RUINING NEW TIRES. NOW MAZDA CLAIMS I NEED A $900 FRONT ALIGNMENT REPAIR, BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY????? I'VE GONE THROUGH 2 SETS OF TIRES IN 50,000 MILES??? *TR

ODI #10253801ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. AT 5,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE THE FACTORY FAILED TO PLACE OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT NEED AN OIL CHANGE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE ENGINE UNDER THE WARRANTY. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE $7,500 REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

ODI #10249724SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAINCRASH

LAST WEEK, AFTER CLIPPING AND GOING OVER A 2 INCH CURB WITH MY LEFT WHEEL TO AVOID ANOTHER CAR IN A PARKING LOT, MY 2006 MAZDA M3 ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. IN THE END, I SWIPED TWO CARS AND HIT A CEMENT WALL HEAD ON. THIS STOPPED THE CAR AND THANKFULLY I AM ALIVE. HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANY MALFUNCTIONS OF THIS KIND AND HOW DO I GET IT ESCALATED TO MAZDA OR OTHERS TO ENSURE CORRECTIVE ACTION? UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ

ODI #10248072TIRES

DESPITE A MAZDA RE-ALIGNMENT WHEN CAR WAS NEW, AND CONSTANT TIRE ROTATION, 3 TIRES HAVE UNEVEN TREAD WEAR ON INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ENGAGES CONSTANTLY FOR NO REASON. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE AND/OR REPAIR. FIRST ANTI-LOCK BRAKE COMPLAINT WAS LODGED 7/25/06 AT 5,000 MILES. *TR

ODI #10247050POWER TRAIN

2006 MAZDA 3 WARRANTY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE DEALERSHIP. LATER THAT DAY, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CLUTCH HAD BLOWN AND THEY SUSPECTED DRIVER ABUSE BASED ON THE TREAD WEAR OF THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A NEW CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, PILOT BEARING AND FLYWHEEL WERE NEEDED. *JB

ODI #10246608TIRES

2006 MAZDA 3 TIRES. ALREADY NEED NEW TIRES AT 30K MILES, THIS SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WAY TOO QUICKLY. I WOULD EXPECT TIRES TO LAST 40K-50K MILES BEFORE NEEDING NEW TIRES. *TR

ODI #10243818SUSPENSION

BOUGHT A MAZDA 3 2006. AT AROUND 17,000 MILES I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. AFTER COMPLAINING SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER, I WAS REFERRED TO THE TOYO DEALERS TO ADDRESS THE WARRANTY. I RAN INTO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THEM IN HONORING THE WARRANTY AND ENDED UP BUYING 4 NEW FIRESTONE TIRES AT 21,000 MILES. AGAIN AT AROUND 20,000 MILES, I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAD THE TIRES ALIGNED, ROTATED AND BALANCED EVERY 3,000-6,000 MILES AND NOTHING IMPROVED THE WEAR OF THE TIRES. NEITHER THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP NOR THE MAIN MAZDA OFFICES WERE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM OR FIND A SOLUTION. I FINALLY TRADED THE CAR IN 2008 AND DON?T PLAN TO EVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA IN MY LIFE. I HAVE READ BLOGS ON BOTH THE MAZDA 3 AND MAZDA 6 WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. UNLESS ONE IS RICH AND CAN AFFORD TIRES EVERY 17,000 MILES, IT IS NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE YOU INCUR. YOU WILL BE ZOOM ZOOMING EVERY 17,000 MILES TO A TIRE STORE. *TR

ODI #10241549SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2006 MAZDA 3 HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SPACE AND HEIGHT BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, HE INADVERTENTLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD AND REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY TAPPED THE OTHER VEHICLES BUMPER. *JB

ODI #10236664ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM TRACY MAZDA IN JUNE OF 2006. IN APRIL OF 2008 I STARTED HEARING A SLIGHT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS WAS SHORTLY AFTER THE LAST OIL CHANGE WHICH WAS DONE BY SPEEDEE OIL CHANGERS. THE MILEAGE WAS 25,675, 4/18/08, WHEN SPEEDEE CHANGED THE OIL AND IT WAS 26,402, 4/25/08,WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO TRACY MAZDA SO THEY COULD CHECK ON THE TICKING NOISE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FINALLY GOT BACK TO ME SEVERAL DAYS LATER AND SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A ROD KNOCK FROM CYL #1. THEY ASKED FOR THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS WHICH I THEN PROVIDED, EXCEPT FOR ONE OIL CHANGE WHICH I HAD PERFORMED MYSELF ( MINUS THE FILTER WHICH REQUIRED A SPECIAL TOOL). ON 5/13/08 TRACY MAZDA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY. IT WAS GOING TO COST ME APPROXIMATELY $6,000.00 TO FIX A CAR THAT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE 30,000 MILES ON IT. I DECLINED TO HAVE THEM FIX IT RIGHT THEN AND WENT AND GOT THE CAR. I HAD THE FIRST TWO OIL CHANGES PERFORMED AT TRACY MAZDA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE NEXT WAS PERFORMED BY SPEEDEE OIL CHANGERS. AFTER THAT I CHANGED THE OIL MYSELF. THE FIFTH OIL CHANGE WAS ON 4/18/08, WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO SPEED. THE MILEAGE BETWEEN THE TWO SPEED CHANGES WAS 14,458. I PERFORMED ONE OIL CHANGE BETWEEN THE TWO DOCUMENTED WHICH WOULD MAKE IT APPROXIMATELY 7,200 MILES BETWEEN THE TWO. THIS IS A LITTLE MORE THAN WHAT IS SUGGESTED BETWEEN OIL CHANGES BUT NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT MAZDA DECLINING WARRANTY REPAIR. I PLAN ON TAKING THIS UP WITH MAZDA'S UPPER MANAGEMENT IN HOPES THEY MIGHT MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR

ODI #10230331TIRES

TOYO BRAND TIRES P205/55 R16 SIZE INSTALLED ON NEW 2006 MAZDA 3 WERE INFERIOR LEADING UP TO PREMATURE WEAR OF RUBBER ON TIRE TO THE POINT OF SHOWING SAFETY BAR UNDER WORN TREAD AT ONLY 20,000 MILES. TIRES WERE PROPERLY ROTATED AT PRESCRIBED INTERVALS AND PROPER TIRE INFLATION WAS MONITORED REGULARLY SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. DEALERSHIP AND TOYO TIRE STATE 20,000 MILES IS NORMAL WEAR. WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIPS SELLING EXACT BRAND OF TIRE THEY CLAIMED 40,000 MILES SHOULD BE EXPECTED. I ALSO NOTICE SOME BRANDS OF TOYO TIRES WERE RECALLED ON YOUR WEBSITE. WHEN I MENTIONED THAT TO TOYO SERVICE REP. @ 1-800-442-8696 HE STATED NONE OF THEIR TIRES HAVE EVER BEEN RECALLED AND YOUR WEBSITE CONTAINS BAD INFORMATION. *TR

ODI #10229639ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE HAS FAILED AFTER 41,000 MILES. BAD LOWER ROD. MAZDA WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

ODI #10218408SUSPENSION

2006 MAZDA 3 FRONT TIRES RUB AND WEAR UNEVEN. THE CAR CUT A DEEP GOUGE ON THE INSIDE OF EACH FRONT TIRE. *TR

ODI #10211404TIRES

I PURCHASED A MAZDA 3 NEW IN APRIL OF 2006. BETWEEN 20,000 - 30,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. AT 32,225 MILES, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW. THE RUBBER WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE RIM, AND THE OUTER TREAD WAS STILL IN ONE PIECE. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL JUST EXPLODED. THESE TIRES ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES IN FEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE A NEW INCIDENT AND NOT BE AS FORTUNATE (INJURIES OR DAMAGE WITH THIS BLOW OUT). *TR

ODI #10207311SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY 2006 MAZDA 3 IS EXPERIENCING GREATLY ACCELERATED REAR BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR, BOTH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BY 38K MILES. THIS IS AT LEAST 3X FASTER WEAR THAN NORMAL. FRONT BRAKES SHOW LITTLE WEAR AND LOOK TO LAST UP TO 100K MILES. COULD THIS PROBLEM BE THE RESULT OF IMPROPER FRONT/REAR BRAKE BIAS OR DEFECTIVE PARTS/MATERIALS? COULD THIS SITUATION LEAD TO IMPROPER/UNSAFE BRAKING PERFORMANCE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS? *TR

ODI #10203693ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCRASHFIRE

2006 MAZDA 3 DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP SHORT-CIRCUITED RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL FIRE IMMEDIATELY AFTER MINOR COLLISION. FIRE QUICKLY STARTED TO SPREAD DAMAGING RADIATOR SUPPORT AND FUSE BOX. PARTS REPLACED IN BODY SHOP. BODY SHOP SAID THESE CARS TEND TO CATCH FIRE WHEN COLLIDING IN THAT SPECIFIC AREA. *JB

ODI #10197500AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. WHILE IDLING, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CRASH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NECK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER BRUISING AND CONTUSIONS. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, HOWEVER, HER FACE STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

ODI #10195012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I WAS USING THE CURSIE CONTROL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF AND THE SPEED JUST KEPT CLIMING UNTIL I TURNED THE CURISE CONTROL OFF. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN MAY 2007. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON JUNE,2007. *AK

ODI #10188662TIRES

THE OEM TIRES FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE TERRIBLE IN SNOWY WEATHER. THE FIRST SNOWSTORM WE HAD I CALLED MY DEALER BECAUSE I WAS SLIDING ALL OVER LIKE A SNOWBOARD. I WAS TOLD I SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ALL-WEATHER TIRES, BUT SUGGESTED I PURCHASE SNOW TIRES, WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. IF I HAD KNOWN THE MAZDA 3 WAS SO TERRIBLE IN THE SNOW I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. *JB

ODI #10188472AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. ON MARCH 14, 2007 WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A 2005 KIA OPTIMA TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE LEFT, SPUN 180 DEGREES AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY DRIVING 45 MPH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SEVERE SPRAIN TO HIS RIGHT WRIST, ANKLE AND KNEE, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 22000. *AK

ODI #10186927ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL POORLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE A FLASHLIGHT TO SEE THE PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY WER UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. *AK

ODI #10182548TIRESCRASH

I PURCHASED A NEW MAZDA 3 IN MAY OF 2006. I LIVE NEAR CLEVELAND OHIO WHERE WE CAN HAVE SOME BAD WINTER WEATHER. IN DECEMBER, WE HAD ONE OF THE FIRST SNOW STORMS. MY CAR HAD 6,200 MILES. THE ROADS WERE WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO HAVE A LIGHT SNOW COVERING. THE TIRES THAT ARE SOLD OEM ON THIS CAR ARE RATED AS ALL SEASON, SO I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, AND SLIDE SIDEWAYS FOR ABOUT 50' THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A 5' DEEP DITCH. MY CAR HAD ABOUT $1,400 IN DAMAGE, WHICH THE INSURANCE PAID FOR (STATE FARM). I AM A MATURE DRIVER LIVING IN THIS TYPE OF WEATHER FOR MANY YEARS. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A VEHICLE THAT HANDLED SO BADLY IN THE SNOW. THIS VEHICLE WITH THE TIRE COMBINATION AS SOLD IS UNSAFE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS REVIEWS CLAIMING HOW POOR THE TIRES ARE IN WINTER WEATHER. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH MAZDA, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. THE CASE NUMBER IS 110849660. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE SOLD THIS THESE OEM TIRES IN THE AREA THAT I LIVE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I CHANGE THE TIRES. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD REPLACE THEM FOR ME BECAUSE I BOUGHT A CAR THAT HAS ALL SEASON TIRES THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. AS NOTED, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE WITH THE OEM TIRES. *NM

ODI #10182465AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING OVER 30 MPH IN A PERPENDICULAR DIRECTION. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS CAUGHT ON A TRIM PIECE AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT REACH THEIR DESIGN INTENT LOCATIONS. I HAVE A PICTURE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW THROUGH ME. NO ADDITIONAL INJURIES OCCURRED DUE TO THE LACK OF PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *JB

ODI #10182231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO MY MAZDA3 THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO YOUR CERTIFIED MAZDA REPAIR CENTER 5 (FIVE) TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS OF REPAIR. THE FAILURE OF A SUCCESSFUL REPAIR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE SAFETY AND VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS SITUATION RESOLVED AT ONCE SO THAT I CAN GO ON WITH MY LIFE WITHOUT THE WORRY OF PAYING FOR A LEMON CAR AND STOP HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND IN A RENTAL CAR THAT IS LESS FUEL EFFICIENT AND LESS COMFORTABLE THAN MY CAR. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR REASONS I REQUESTED SERVICE FOR MY CAR: 1. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. 2. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON AN ONCOMING RAMP OF RT. 202 TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD HARDLY PULL THE CAR OVER BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TOO HEAVY TO OPERATE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. 3. ANOTHER MAJOR REASON FOR MY SAFETY WORRIES IS THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON CONSTANTLY. AFTER AN EXPERT VISIT, I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL BE GETTING A NEW CAR. 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE PAPERWORK PROCESSES WAS COMPLETED A NEW CAR WAS READY FOR ME TO PICK UP, SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I HAD TO PAY $2,300 IN ORDER TO TAKE THE NEW CAR. THEN THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD BY YOU ON THE PHONE THAT THE DEAL WAS CANCELLED BY MAZDA BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THIS UNFAIR RESOLUTION. THEN THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP PERSONALLY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THEY NEEDED TO PURCHASE MY CAR, SELL IT TO ANOTHER CONSUMER AND THEN SELL ME A NEW CAR. THERE ARE TWO THINGS UNETHICAL ABOUT THIS: 1. YOU CANNOT SELL A CAR WITH SAFETY DEFECTS TO ANOTHER CONSUMER. 2. YOU CANNOT LEAVE ME WITH NO OPTION BUT TO TRADE IN MY CAR AND PURCHASE A NEW CAR WHEN THIS CAR IS A LEMON. BASED ON THE PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL DESCRIPTION MY CAR IS A LEMON CAR. I FEEL THAT I HAVE DONE ALL THAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE IN THIS MATTER AND HAVE YET TO SEE ANY RESULTS. *JB

ODI #10181438SEATSCRASH1 INJURY

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER TO FAIL. THE SEAT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY BACK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.THIS CRASH HAPPENED UNDER WET CONDITIONS. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

ODI #10173783POWER TRAIN

SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, IT IS VERY ROUGH. VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF WEATHER IT IS OUTSIDE NOR DOES IT MATTER IF THE ENGINE IS WARM OR COLD. THIS ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES AND NO PARTICULAR TIME OF THE DAY. *NM

ODI #10169093STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2006 MAZDA 3I TOURING STALLED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THE POWER STEERING MADE STRANGE NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A U-TURN OR PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. *JB

ODI #10167798SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES

THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2006 MAZDA3 I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THE REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING. THEY WERE GRINDING SO LOUD I COULD HEAR THEM OVER THE RADIO ON LEVEL 2 IN VOLUME. I SHOULD NOT HEAR THEM AT ALL!! I HAD UNDER 30 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GENTLEMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THIS IS VERY COMMON , THAT ALL DO IT. I AM SORRY , I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE HAPPENING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS DONE THAT UNLESS THE BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS DIDN'T NEED REPLACED. NOW, 2 MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES ARE STILL DOING IT, AND SEEM TO BE EVEN LOUDER WITH A SMALL SQUEAK ADDED IN. *JB

ODI #10167303SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY 2004 MAZDA 3 IS EXPERIENCING GREATLY ACCELERATED REAR BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR, BOTH REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BY 32K MILES. THIS IS AT LEAST 3X FASTER WEAR THAN NORMAL. FRONT BRAKES SHOW LITTLE WEAR AND LOOK TO LAST UP TO 100K MILES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS SAY NOT. MANY '04 AND '05 MAZDA 3 OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. COULD THIS PROBLEM BE THE RESULT OF IMPROPER FRONT/REAR BRAKE BIAS OR DEFECTIVE PARTS/MATERIALS? COULD THIS SITUATION LEAD TO IMPROPER/UNSAFE BRAKING PERFORMANCE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS? *NM

ODI #10166872AIR BAGSCRASH

1. VEHICLE (06 MAZDA3) INVOLVED IN 70+ MPH FREEWAY ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED VEHICLE. 2. VEHICLE TOOK HEAVY IMPACT(S) FRONT (MULTIPLE) AND REAR. 3. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NM

ODI #10166486ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER USING AN EXTERNAL GPS 2-3 WEEKS AGO, THE CLOCK, REMOTE LOCKS, RADIO, AND OUTDOOR TEMP. GAUGE FAILED. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN THE DEALER 'COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM.' THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS OCCURRED NO EXTERNAL DEVICES WERE USED. I COULD NOT FIND A RECALL OR SERVICE ADVISORY. *JB

ODI #10166886POWER TRAIN

2006 MAZDA 3 GOES INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTED INTO FOURTH GEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THERE IS NO MECHANICAL ISOLATION BETWEEN THE 4TH GEAR AND REVERSE. *NM

ODI #10165198POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING IN "MANUAL" MODE ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION COULD ALSO BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAR, AS IF THE ENTIRE CAR WERE "WOBBLING". DROVE STRAIGHT HOME; HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT HAS BEEN (AS OF TODAY) FOR ELEVEN (11) DAYS. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED ME THAT THEY ARE CALLING IT "INTERNAL AXLE FAILURE" ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY ARE WAITING FOR PARTS, WHICH THEY SAY WILL TAKE ANOTHER FEW WEEKS TO COME IN; THE CAR IS SO NEW THERE AREN'T ANY AVALIABLE PARTS FOR IT?!? *NM

ODI #10162888WHEELS

HAD A RIM ON A MAZDA 3 COME APART AFTER HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH THE RIM CLEARLY HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE TO CAUSE THIS MUCH DAMAGE FOR SUCH MINIMAL IMPACT. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE EXCEPT BUY A NEW DEFECTIVE RIM TO REPLACE THE OLD DEFECTIVE RIM. *NM

ODI #10162766STRUCTURE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY PANEL IS VERY POOR-TO READ IT REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD TOO LONG WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD MY DEALER RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT STATES THERE IS NO "FACTORY BULLETIN" TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM

ODI #10160949ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

IN THE MONTH OF MARCH, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT IN THE FIRST MORNING THE CAR WOULD HESITATE TO START. CONTACTED MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER IN RENO AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH NEVADA GAS. ON JUNE 17TH, WHILE VISITING LAS VEGAS, THE CARS ENGINE STALLED WHILE IN GEAR ON THE FREEWAY, IT TOOK TWO ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR. I RETURNED TO RENO, AND CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE THREE MAJOR COMPONETS, THAT WERE ALL LINKED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND STILL HAVE NO ANSWERS OR SOLUTIONS. *JB

ODI #10160294ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I AM THE OWNER OF A MAZDA 3 2006. BOUGHT THE CAR 1 MONTH AGO AND JUST TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SIMPLY STOP WHILE IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SIMPLY CRASHED AND A NEW ONE NEEDS TO BE ORDER. WHEN I ASK THE REASON FOR THE COMPUTER CRASH, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HOT. HIGHEST TEMPERATURE REACHED THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT WAS 90 DEGREES. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO EXPLAIN CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND TO REQUEST A VEHICLE EXCHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INCIDENT NEEDS TO OCCUR MORE THAN ONCE TO BE CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. *NM

ODI #10158405STRUCTURE

2006 MAZDA 3 MAKES A NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TS THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR AN ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT EH PROBLEM WAS NOT MECHANICAL AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE BODY SHOP FOR SEVEN WEEKS. THEY CLAIM THAT THE UNIBODY WELD HAD TO BE REPAIRED BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *NM

ODI #10152284STEERING

2006 MAZDA 3, 5DOOR AUTOMATIC PURCHASED NEW IN OCTOBER, 2005. CAR PULLS LEFT. ITS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS 7 DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY CANT FIX IT. I'VE GOT AN ATTORNEY NOW AND GOING THROUGH LEMON LAW PROCEDURES. WE DID GIVE MAZDA SEVERAL EXTRA CHANCES TO FIX IT AND HAVE THEIR ZONE MANAGER AND HIS TECH REP AND A MAZDA ENGINEER THAT DROVE DOWN FROM MICHIGAN, A CHANCE TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR. ON THE LAST VISIT THEY CONFIRMED 2 OTHER NEW MAZDA 3'S DROVE LIKE MINE DID, I.E. THEY PULLED LEFT. ON PREVIOUS VISITS I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM WITH 3 OTHER NEW MAZDA 3'S THAT THEY DID NOT PULL LEFT. BASICALLY IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WILL QUICKLY GO LEFT AND LEAVE YOUR CURRENT LANE. I'VE HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFY THIS AS WELL. MAZDA IS NOW TAKING THE POSITION THAT THE MAZDA 3 IS A 'SPORTY' CAR AND HAS A WEAK ON-CENTER STEERING FEEL AND THAT JUST THE WAY THEIR CARS ARE AND ITS NOT A DEFECT. BUT AS I MENTIONED I'VE CONFIRMED ON MULTIPLE OTHER VISITS, WITH THEIR TECH PEOPLE, DRIVING OTHER NEW MAZDA 3'S THAT THE OTHER NEW CARS DID NOT PULL LEFT SO AT THE LEAST THEY HAVE A PROBLEM TURNING OUT CARS THAT VARY FROM CAR TO CAR. NO OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN DRIVES THIS WAY AND PULLS LEFT WHEN YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL. I'M AN ENGINEER AND IN MY OPINION THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO. BECAUSE THE CAR IS A UNIBODY IT HS NO CAMBER ADJUSTMENT SO THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THIS DEFECT ONCE THE CAR HAS BEEN MADE. *NM

Component Failure Cascade Risk

Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures

HighPOWER STEERING issue detected

Loss of power steering assist — vehicle becomes difficult to control especially at low speeds and during parking

Complaint & Reliability Timeline

Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red

Annual complaints and reliability score for MAZDA Mazda3 — recall years marked in red
09180501002021200920062009201220152018202120242026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Recall issued
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 166 total NHTSA complaints filed over 18 years, with the worst year being 2010 (18 complaints, including 3 crash reports).

The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 74/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.

The red dashed lines mark recall issuance — the first recall came 3 years after owners began filing complaints, a lag that indicates the manufacturer was slow to formally acknowledge these problems.

Red dots on the amber line flag 10 years (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$46,614
~$777/mo over 5 yrs
$0.2/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$21,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$3,000
Depreciation
$5,114

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

2 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,000
2 recalls over 2 years old — likely uncompleted−$800
Total recommended deduction−$1,800

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2006 MAZDA Mazda3 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Inspect for power steering issue detected — ask for repair records
Loss of power steering assist — vehicle becomes difficult to control especially at low speeds and during parking
HIGH
Verify recall AIR BAGS:FRONTAL has been repaired
Recall on record for: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the
HIGH
Verify recall EQUIPMENT has been repaired
Recall on record for: THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: SUSPENSION
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

5%
18-month
10%
2-year
Low Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 10%

5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JM1BK12FX61534300. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$1,270–$1,620/yr
~$106–$135/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
20-year-old vehicle: −28% (lower ACV reduces comprehensive/collision cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINJM1BK12FX61534300
Model Year2006
MakeMAZDA
ModelMazda3
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Displacement (L)2
Horsepower150

Manufacturer

ManufacturerMAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
Assembly CityHOFU
Assembly CountryJAPAN

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)JM1
Check Digit (Char 9)X
Model Year Code (Char 10)6
Plant Code (Char 11)1
Sequence (Chars 12–17)534300

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count2
NHTSA Complaint Count166

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

J
1
M
2
1
3
B
4
K
5
1
6
2
7
F
8
X
9
6
10
1
11
5
12
3
13
4
14
3
15
0
16
0
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
J
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
M
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
1
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
BK12F
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
X
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
6
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
1
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
534300
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Japan
From VIN position 1 (J)
Model Year Character
"6" → 2006
Unambiguous model year
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/14/2026, 8:23:04 PM.