What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2006 Mazda MAZDA3

Typical pattern

9% of complaints about the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2006 vehicle — around the middle of the 250 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (29 complaints), typically at 6.8 yr or about 66,000 miles.

Complaints
222
Median age at failure
6.9 yr
Median mileage
71,290 n=171
Crash / fire / tow
13.5% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
29 reports · 66,000 mi
6.8 yr
3.4%
Air bags
26 reports · 57,000 mi
9.3 yr
42.3%
Electrical system
22 reports · 71,000 mi
5.2 yr
4.5%
Power train
21 reports · 95,000 mi
7.7 yr
4.8%
Engine cooling
17 reports · 41,000 mi
3.4 yr
11.8%
Engine
17 reports · 101,231 mi
9.5 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

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.

In owners’ own words

Steering mileage not reported 6 mo in service
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
Steering 52,000 mi 4.9 yr in service
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.
Steering 64,300 mi 4.3 yr in service
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
Electrical system 426 mi 5 mo in service
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

Other MAZDA3 model years

202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

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