2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems and Recalls (671 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 is Body / frame (22% of 671 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Body / frame — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 671 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3?

147 of 671 filings named Body / frame (22% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Glass / wipers / cameras (43 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2009 has 112 reports on file; this year has 671. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2010 Mazda MAZDA3

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  3. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  4. Wheels. Look for bent rims, missing lug nuts and vibration at speed.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Body / frame. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Body / frame 147 complaints · 21.9% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 18
  • Fires 5
  • Injuries 13
  • Deaths 0
All Mazda MAZDA3 years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Body / frame (STRUCTURE) appears in 147 of 671 owner complaints (21.9%) in this vehicle snapshot. Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 147 complaints, 21.9% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 crash reports 147 · 21.9% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 43 complaints, 6.4% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 43 · 6.4% Wheels (WHEELS): 30 complaints, 4.5% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 30 · 4.5% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 27 complaints, 4.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 fire reports 27 · 4.0% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 26 complaints, 3.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 26 · 3.9% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 25 complaints, 3.7% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 crash reports 25 · 3.7% Steering (STEERING): 24 complaints, 3.6% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 crash reports 24 · 3.6% Tires (TIRES): 24 complaints, 3.6% of reports Tires (TIRES) 24 · 3.6% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 22 complaints, 3.3% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 22 · 3.3% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 312 complaints, 46.5% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 5 crash reports 2 fire reports 312 · 46.5% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 147 21.9% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 43 6.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 30 4.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 27 4.0% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 26 3.9% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 25 3.7% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 24 3.6% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 24 3.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 22 3.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 312 46.5% 5 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2009; the first recall shown was reported in Apr 2009. 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2010-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2011-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2011-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2011-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2011-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2012-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2012-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2013-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2013-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2013-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2013-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2014-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2014-Q2: 21 owner reports 21 2014-Q3: 61 owner reports 61 2014-Q4: 46 owner reports 46 2015-Q1: 32 owner reports 32 2015-Q2: 31 owner reports 31 2015-Q3: 34 owner reports 34 2015-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2016-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2016-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2016-Q3: 19 owner reports 19 2016-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2017-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2017-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2017-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2017-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2018-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2018-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2018-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2018-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2019-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2020-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2020-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2020-Q3: 19 owner reports 19 2020-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2021-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2022-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2023-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2023-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2024-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2026-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Apr 2009 Apr 2026 Recall campaign 09V126000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V126000 Recall campaign 16V644000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V644000 Recall campaign 17V082000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V082000 Investigation EA21002 ● Investigation EA21002
  • Campaign 16V644000 was reported 2,390 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q1 Owner reports 3
2010-Q2 Owner reports 3
2010-Q3 Owner reports 5
2010-Q4 Owner reports 14
2011-Q1 Owner reports 7
2011-Q2 Owner reports 5
2011-Q3 Owner reports 3
2011-Q4 Owner reports 7
2012-Q1 Owner reports 7
2012-Q2 Owner reports 7
2012-Q3 Owner reports 6
2012-Q4 Owner reports 6
2013-Q1 Owner reports 8
2013-Q2 Owner reports 14
2013-Q3 Owner reports 12
2013-Q4 Owner reports 6
2014-Q1 Owner reports 10
2014-Q2 Owner reports 21
2014-Q3 Owner reports 61
2014-Q4 Owner reports 46
2015-Q1 Owner reports 32
2015-Q2 Owner reports 31
2015-Q3 Owner reports 34
2015-Q4 Owner reports 28
2016-Q1 Owner reports 20
2016-Q2 Owner reports 11
2016-Q3 Owner reports 19
2016-Q4 Owner reports 8
2017-Q1 Owner reports 14
2017-Q2 Owner reports 17
2017-Q3 Owner reports 28
2017-Q4 Owner reports 10
2018-Q1 Owner reports 9
2018-Q2 Owner reports 7
2018-Q3 Owner reports 4
2018-Q4 Owner reports 6
2019-Q1 Owner reports 3
2019-Q2 Owner reports 9
2019-Q3 Owner reports 14
2019-Q4 Owner reports 10
2020-Q1 Owner reports 7
2020-Q2 Owner reports 8
2020-Q3 Owner reports 19
2020-Q4 Owner reports 10
2021-Q1 Owner reports 3
2021-Q2 Owner reports 4
2021-Q3 Owner reports 4
2021-Q4 Owner reports 5
2022-Q1 Owner reports 4
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q3 Owner reports 2
2022-Q4 Owner reports 4
2023-Q1 Owner reports 2
2023-Q2 Owner reports 4
2023-Q3 Owner reports 7
2023-Q4 Owner reports 3
2024-Q1 Owner reports 4
2024-Q2 Owner reports 3
2024-Q3 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 2
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 3
2026-Q1 Owner reports 1
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 09V126000
Recall campaign 1 16V644000
Recall campaign 1 17V082000
Defect investigation 1 EA21002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Body / frame.

  1. Recall campaign 09V126000

    Safety recall 09V126000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THE MAIN FUSE MAY BLOW OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND INABILITY OF RESTART, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS INSPECT AND ADD A PROTECTOR CLIP ON THE AFFECTED SECTION OF THE HARNESS. IF NECESSARY, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 16V644000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 17V082000

    Safety recall 17V082000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 671 complaints · page 1 of 27
2026-04-04Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11729138
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The AT light came on the dash, added transmission fluid because it was a little low but the light still has not gone off. I think there is an electrical problem within the transmission. It's had shifting issues since purchasing this vehicle. I also have a small child that comes with me to work and I do not want my car to catch on fire while we are in this vehicle.
2026-01-12Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11710562
CrashFireInjuryDeath
NHTSA Complaint Narrative I am filing this complaint regarding a 2010 Mazda 3, VIN [XXX] . The vehicle experiences intermittent transmission control failures, including difficulty shifting out of first gear and warning indicators triggered by vibration. The transmission and transmission control module have already been replaced. The dealership has identified the wiring harness as the cause of the remaining failure. Mazda North American Operations has confirmed that the required wiring harness (BBM9-67-020H) is discontinued and unavailable. However, Mazda has not provided a written determination of whether the known wiring harness recall (engine wiring harness chafing affecting control systems) applies to this VIN, nor confirmed recall completion history. Mazda has advised the customer to seek aftermarket or salvage parts, but has not provided an approved repair remedy or goodwill assistance despite the issue affecting drivability and safety. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether Mazda has met its obligations regarding: 1.recall applicability determination by VIN, and 2.providing an adequate remedy when OEM repair parts are no longer available for a safety-related defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2025-09-24Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 11689499
CrashFireInjuryDeath
See attached document for complaint.
2025-08-27Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11683533
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I have reason to believe the dealership I bought my vehicle from rolled back my odometer. Upon checking my carfax information, 12/01/24, the odometer read 161,142, which the dealership did own my vehicle at this time. When I bought this car in April of 2025, the odometer was reading 130,000.
2025-08-27Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11683431
CrashFireInjuryDeath
On August 15, 2025, my 2010 Mazda 3 began displaying the ABS warning light intermittently while driving. The ABS system is a critical safety feature, and when the light comes on, I am unsure if the braking system will function properly in an emergency. I scanned the vehicle using a Foxwell diagnostic tool and retrieved the following ABS-related fault codes: C0020:1C-2B – ABS Pump Motor Control Circuit U0425:62-60 – Invalid Data Received from IPC/ABS Control Module U0140:00-28 – Lost Communication with Body Control Module These issues are consistent with Mazda Technical Service Bulletin 04-002/13 (July 17, 2013), which documents ABS pump motor failures caused by poor motor brush contact. This is a serious safety concern because the ABS system fails without warning, leaving the driver and passengers at risk of brake loss in critical conditions. Why this should be investigated: The defect occurs intermittently, making it difficult to predict or reproduce. It matches a known documented defect acknowledged by Mazda in TSB 04-002/13. Other owners have reported similar ABS pump failures in Mazda vehicles of this generation. The failure compromises safe braking and should be treated as a safety defect warranting investigation and possible recall. Action Requested: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this recurring ABS pump/motor failure in 2010 Mazda 3 vehicles and determine whether a recall should be issued to address this known defect.
2025-04-17Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11655220
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The a.b.s pump module is defective in these vehicles. There are tons of people having issues with them. When they fail it happens suddenly resulting in brake failure, power steering failure, the car does not like to shut off, the vehicle will go into "limp mode" and every light on the dash comes on. The part itself is costing close to $1000 u.s.d . With all of tge effected things tgat go with it i believe it can be very dangerous and should be recalled
2025-02-18Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11643478
CrashFireInjuryDeath
This vehicle is subject to recall #: 17V-082 referring to a drivers seat lifter link than can break. My car has a broken lifter link, was brought to the dealership and instead of replacing the entire seat adjuster unit like the recall states, they simply installed a reinforcement bracket. When brought back to Med Center Mazda they state it has already been repaired and therefore cannot be repaired again. The vehicle still has a broken seat lifter link.
2025-01-17Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11636410
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Transmission slipping. Not shifting correctly.
2024-07-01Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11597856
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Transmission control module issues. Car was driving on the expressway and wouldn’t shift out of second gear. Engine light and AT light came on. Had to drive slowly on the expressway and get off on the closest exit. Cars were speeding past me and I had to be careful not to get hit. Research and shop shows the 2010 Mazda 3 vehicles have lots of issue with the TCM because they get hot due to there location.
2024-05-03Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11586697
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Tha dashboard is melted causing glares on very sunny days and makes driving difficult.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3?

Owners named Body / frame most often — 147 of 671 reports (22%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2010 Mazda MAZDA3?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources