2005 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

127

Owner Complaints

25 Crashes 3 Fires

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

24

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3

The 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 127 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE. 24 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (22 complaints), Electrical System (16 complaints), and Steering (14 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 263,240 vehicles.

Recall 21V494000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

| 260,915 vehicles affected

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.

View full details →

Recall 09E011000 — EQUIPMENT

| 2,323 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

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Recall 04V559000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

| 2 vehicles affected

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3

127 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Air Bags
Complaints: 22 7 Crashes 8 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 16 2 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 14 3 Crashes
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 9 1 Crash 1 Injury
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 4
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Train
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Tires
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Parking Brake
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Service Brakes
Complaints: 2
Suspension
Complaints: 2
Visibility
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11660753 | AIR BAGS | | 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, other individuals informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clock spring was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
#11660753 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, other individuals informed the contact that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clock spring was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
#11455564 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V494000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
#11440820 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Randomly, the parking lights, tail lights, and climate control lighting will fail. This has happened to me multiple times over a number of years. Striking the right side of the center console will generally result in functionality being restored. Sometimes, simply turning the lights off and then on again results in the failure as well. My assumption, based on online forums where others have had the same issues, is that the Passenger Junction Box (PJB) is faulty. Striking the center console send vibrations to the PJB, resulting in it (usually) to start working again. While I do not regularly drive the vehicle at night, my concern is that without working tail lights, I could be involved in an accident OR be ticketed for my lights not working. Others online have had the same issues, and I believe it may be an issue in multiple vehicle models and model years.
#11438378 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V494000 (Air Bags) however, the contact was unable to contact reach the manufacturer or the local dealer for the recall repair. The contact called the number to the local dealer and the manufacturer but was unable to schedule an appointment for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair and had made it very difficult to resolve the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Invalid VIN.

View all Air Bags complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3

Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 24 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

MT-013-17 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

On some vehicles, the rear combination lamp lens becomes hazy and looks white when the brake or taillight is on. Due to heat accumulated by extended brake light (E) usage, the red inner cap (A) is melted (B) and the inner (C) and/or outer (D) lens becomes hazy.

MT-013-17 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

On some vehicles, the rear combination lamp lens becomes hazy and looks white when the brake or taillight is on. Due to heat accumulated by extended brake light (E) usage, the red inner cap (A) is melted (B) and the inner (C) and/or outer (D) lens becomes hazy.

0000216 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Mazda guidelines for factory scheduled maintenance

0400416 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Brake noise, judder and dragging diagnosis and servicing

09-039-13-2852 — SEATS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHATTERING NOISE AND THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT LIFT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE THE LOCK PLATE GUIDE COMES OFF THE GUIDE CAM WHEN OPERATING THE LIFT. IF THE LIFT LEVER IS THEN OPERATED WITH THE LOCK PLATE GUIDE OFF, THE GUIDE CAM CAN BE DAMAGED. THE SHAPE...

RF-11-12R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

SB-01-023-10 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

MAZDA: DETERMINING EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAK LOCATION FOR DTCS P0441, P0442, P0455, P0455. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MIL ILLUMINATION WITH DTCS STORED IN MEMORY. *PE UPDATED 4/18/11. *PE

SB-01-012-09 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

MAZDA: MIL COMES ON WITH P2004/CHECK VALVE STUCK OPEN. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN MIL THAT COMES ON WITH DTC P2004 (VARIABLE TUMBLE SHUTTER VALVE STUCK OPEN). THE CAUSE MAY BE THE CHECK VALVE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM CHAMBER BEING STUCK OPEN. CHECK VALVE HAS NOW BEEN UPDATED. *PE

01-003/08 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

MULTI-MODEL - ENGINE STALLS WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. *NJ

0102105 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE VIBRATION/ KNOCKING NOISE/ NO. 3 ENGINE MOUNT RUBBER BROKEN. *SC UPDATED ON 09/25/07. *NJ

Showing 10 of 24 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3

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Other MAZDA Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report