2004 Mazda MAZDA3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
145 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
59,151 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 111 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 145 complaints (11.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 20.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 14.5% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 4.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 17 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 7 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
Steering: 17; Air Bags: 16; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 8; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 7; Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 29 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 29; 2005: 12; 2006: 11; 2007: 7; 2008: 13; 2009: 8; 2010: 15; 2011: 11; 2012: 4; 2013: 7; 2014: 5; 2015: 10; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10066587 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 3,057 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067827 · 2004-04-26 (April 26, 2004)
1)4 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD 3 LARGE (1M WIDE MORE THAN .5MM DEEP) GROOVES AND THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE STARTING TO DEVELOP THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PADS MUST HAVE SOME TYPE OF HARD METALIC PIECES IN THEM THAT GRADUALLY DESTROYS THE BRAKE ROTORS. 2)IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE PADS WEAR THE ROTORS TO AN UNSAVE LIMIT. SO, I RETURNED TO MY MAZDA DEALER FOR SERVICE. JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA 3)THE SERVICE STAFF THERE WAS HORRIBLE AND IN THE END DID NOTHING TO FIX THE CAUSE OF THE GROOVES. THE SHAVED AN UN…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072458 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT BETWEEN 1, 2 AND 3 GEARS. THE OTHER GEARS SHIFTED SMOOTHLY WITHOUT PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE NO ABNORMAL NOISES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT WITH GREAT EFFORT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FILLED WITH CONCRETE. BEING UNABLE TO SHIFT CAUSES A PROBLEM IN OPERATING THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND IS BALKING AT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 533 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072459 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072576 · 2004-05-13 (May 13, 2004)
I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP ON MAY 2, 2004 AND PURCHASED A 2004 MAZDA 3. IT HAD 16 MILES ON IT. DROVE FINE FOR A WEEK! ON MAY 9TH, MY FAMILIY AND I WERE DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. WE SLOWLY MADE IT HOME IN 1ST GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED IT UP ON MONDAY MAY 10TH AND HAS SAID IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THE FULL TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED AT 250 MILES. IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 4 DAYS NOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072892 · 2004-05-19 (May 19, 2004)
VEHICLE OVERVIEW: MY 2004 MAZDA3 S SEDAN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS AND HAS 16" INCH FACTORY WHEELS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: AFTER APROXIMATELY 1800 MILES OF DRIVING (CITY/HIGHWAY), I BEGAN TO NOTICE SLIGHT DISCOLORED BANDS ON EACH OF THE BRAKE ROTOR DISCS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS. AFTER ANOTHER 600 MILES OF DRIVING, I BEGAN TO NOTICE GROOVING IN THE PLACES WITH THE DISCOLORED BANDS. AT THIS POINT, THE GROOVE COULD BE FELT BY A FINGERTIP. THE GROOVES ARE VISIBLE ON THE OUTWARD SIDE OF EACH ROTOR. I HAVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072909 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
THE BREAK PADS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY FAST AND THE ROTERS ARE BEGINNING TO SHOW MAJOR PITTING/GROOVING. (THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND HAS LESS THEN 3000 MILES ON IT). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072924 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
THERE IS BRAKE NOISE IN MY 2004 MODEL YEAR MAZDA 3. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY CAR 3 DAYS AGO. I NOTICED THE NOISE IN THE FIRST DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE CAR IS NEW AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR IN A FEW DAYS. BUT IT IS NOT DISAPPEARING ON THE CONTRARY IT IS NOW MORE NOTICEABLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE COLD OR HOT. IT ALWAYS MAKES THAT NOISE. VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR IS: [XXX] THANKS, [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), …
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072924 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V468000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2004-09-24 (September 24, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V494000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)
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.
Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
NHTSA campaign record ↗