The Used Car Index

2005 Mazda MAZDA3 problems

NHTSA lists 97 complaints for the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3, 16 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 11 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA MAZDA3.

At a glance

Complaints
97
With crash
16
With fire
3
With injury (complaints)
8
Injuries
11
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
211

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS2424.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1919.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1717.5%
STEERING1515.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING66.2%
EQUIPMENT55.2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE55.2%
POWER TRAIN55.2%
ENGINE44.1%
SEAT BELTS33.1%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM4
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE4
AIR BAGSFRONTAL3
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESTORAGE1
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE1

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.

04V559000

Date: 2004-11-22. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: ON TWO PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE SOLDER CONNECTION ATTACHING THE ACCELERATION SENSOR IN THE SAS UNIT MADE CONTACT WITH THE BASE PLATE, DAMAGING THE SOLDER CONNECTION.

Consequence: THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES. THE TWO VEHICLE OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004, AND THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

211 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT61
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING32
STEERING17
POWER TRAIN14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING11
STRUCTURE11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11

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

11022727

Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing Radio ID and the new/replacement SAT Radio ID as soon as possible to ensure the customer leaves the dealership with an active SAT radio.

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

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
MAZDA397

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mazda models

Other Mazda models, 2005

Sources

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