2004 Mazda MAZDA3
No clear pattern 21.4% of complaints about the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2004 vehicle, but with only 182 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is air bags (30 complaints), typically at 5.5 yr or about 80,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 182
- Median age at failure
- 4.8 yr
- Median mileage
- 55,650 n=143
- Crash / fire / tow
- 15.9% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 3
21V494000 2021-07-01
Air bags:frontal
Mazda 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.
Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
09E011000 2009-04-02
Equipment
THULE, 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.
THIS 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.
04V468000 2004-09-24
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Air bags 3,057 mi 7 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING THE (CRS) LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED AN AIR BAG SENSOR. *NM ONE MONTH LATER THE SENSOR FAILED AGAIN WHICH CAUSED THE CRS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A REVISED AIR BAG SENSOR. *NM
Air bags 8,700 mi 1.2 yr in service crash / fire / tow
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Air bags mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH TREES. BACK AND SIDE DOORS WERE DENTED INTO THE CAR AND WINDOWS SHATTERED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TC *SC
Service brakes, hydraulic 200 mi 8 mo in service
AFTER 200 MILES I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATING ON THE REAR WHEELS. THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR SURFACES ARE WORN EXTREMELY UNEVEN WITH MULTIPLE GROOVES. THIS TYPE AND AMOUNT OF WEAR IS WHAT I WOULD EXPECT AFTER 10,000 MILES NOT 200. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE HARDLY WORN AT ALL AND STILL EXHIBIT THE ORIGINAL MACHINED SURFACE. I FOUND THAT MAZDA HAS A NEW BRAKE PAD FOR THE REAR BRAKES (P/N: BPYK-26-48Z) BUT NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED.