The Used Car Index

2004 Mazda MAZDA3 problems

NHTSA lists 145 complaints for the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3, 18 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 11 complaints mention an injury, with 14 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA MAZDA3.

At a glance

Complaints
145
With crash
18
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
11
Injuries
14
Deaths
0
Recalls
2
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
260,915
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
249

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The required sales year is missing.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS2517.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2517.2%
POWER TRAIN2416.6%
STEERING1913.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1711.7%
TIRES96.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM85.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING85.5%
STRUCTURE85.5%
EQUIPMENT53.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS15
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
AIR BAGSFRONTAL10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE8
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE4
POWER TRAINMANUAL TRANSMISSION4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
STRUCTUREBODY4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM3
AIR BAGSSIDE/WINDOW2

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

2 recalls.

21V494000

Date: 2021-07-01. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V468000

Date: 2004-09-24. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

249 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT66
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39
STEERING18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
POWER TRAIN15
STRUCTURE13
AIR BAGS11

11037013

Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.

11035599

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER.

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled

11032103

Date: 2026-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the sch

11026904

Date: 2025-12-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling

11022742

Date: 2025-08-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. If a structure's windows create enough of a curve, the concave glass can focus the sun's rays onto a small area and a

11020039

Date: 2025-06-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter may be the cause. During the removal of the cabin air filter, foreign debris (leaves, dust, dirt....ect.) may fall on the

11017699

Date: 2025-04-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling

11007022

Date: 2024-08-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.

11006987

Date: 2024-08-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealera s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odomet

11005671

Date: 2024-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
MAZDA3145

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mazda models

Other Mazda models, 2004

Sources

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