Mazda Mazda3 2004–2009 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (BK)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,123 complaints, 914 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2004 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 59,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 145
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2004
- Airbag system25 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit25 reports
- Transmission and driveline24 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 66,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 97
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2005
- Airbag system24 reports
- Engine and its cooling system19 reports
- Electrical system17 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 71,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 166
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2006
- Steering28 reports
- Airbag system27 reports
- Electrical system21 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 260
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Steering90 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Airbag system36 reports
- Transmission and driveline34 reports · median 34,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Steering — electric power assist system · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 336
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2008
- Steering117 reports · median 34,000 mi
- Tyres41 reports · median 51,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline38 reports · median 63,000 mi
Recall areas Visibility — windshield wiper/washer · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 35,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 119
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2009
- Steering35 reports · median 33,000 mi
- Tyres27 reports
- Wheels20 reports
Recall areas Visibility — windshield wiper/washer · Steering — electric power assist system · Electronic stability control (esc)
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2006; earliest: the 2009, and the 2006 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2004–2009 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 51,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 128,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 914
- Recalls
- 8
Most reported
- Steering27.1% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
- Airbag system12.4% of complaints · median 68,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline11.5% of complaints · median 59,000 mi
Owners filed 1,123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2009 Mazda Mazda3; the steering leads with 27.1% of them, and half of the 914 that record an odometer reading came by 51,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 25,000 to 89,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2004–2009 Mazda Mazda3 last?
On the 2004–2009 Mazda Mazda3, half of the 914 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 51,000 miles and 90% by 128,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
48 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 7 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Mazda3 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Mazda Mazda3 2004–2009 · 914 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 106 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 7 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,500
- 25%
- 25,000
- Median
- 51,000
- 75%
- 89,000
- 90%
- 128,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 106 | 11.6% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 74 | 8.1% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 85 | 9.3% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 97 | 10.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 81 | 8.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 72 | 7.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 49 | 5.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 60 | 6.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 64 | 7.0% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 45 | 4.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 35 | 3.8% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 32 | 3.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 29 | 3.2% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 23 | 2.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 14 | 1.5% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 12 | 1.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 11 | 1.2% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 7 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Mazda3 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Mazda Mazda3 2004–2009
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Engine and its cooling system89 reportsmedian 39,000middle half 13,000–56,000
- Tyres108 reportsmedian 40,000middle half 21,000–70,000
- Steering304 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 26,000–90,000
- Transmission and driveline129 reportsmedian 59,000middle half 25,000–95,000
- Airbag system139 reportsmedian 68,000middle half 29,000–110,000
- Electrical system89 reportsmedian 76,000middle half 43,000–120,000
- Engine70 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 68,000–117,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 304 | 27.1% | 50,000 | 26,000–90,000 |
| Airbag system | 139 | 12.4% | 68,000 | 29,000–110,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 129 | 11.5% | 59,000 | 25,000–95,000 |
| Tyres | 108 | 9.6% | 40,000 | 21,000–70,000 |
| Electrical system | 89 | 7.9% | 76,000 | 43,000–120,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 89 | 7.9% | 39,000 | 13,000–56,000 |
| Engine | 70 | 6.2% | 86,000 | 68,000–117,000 |
| Wheels | 66 | 5.9% | 58,000 | 38,000–78,000 |
| Suspension | 59 | 5.3% | 30,000 | 15,000–85,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 52 | 4.6% | 70,000 | 45,000–102,000 |
Known problems with the 2004–2009 Mazda3
Body / Corrosion 2004–2009
Rear wheel arch and rocker panel rust perforation on salt-belt cars, often visible before 8 years of age — the defining durability complaint for this generation.
Electrical
Clock spring failure in the steering column causing airbag warning lights, inoperative horn and dead steering wheel controls.
Airbags
Takata inflator recalls cover a large share of this generation.
Before you buy a 2004–2009 Mazda3: the 3-minute check
Generated from 914 mileage-tagged complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check body / corrosion on 2004–2009 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check electrical.
- Check airbags.
- Years differ here: from 97 to 336 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Mazda3 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi56% below | At 90k mi75% below | At 120k mi88% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 26,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 29,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 25,000–95,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Tyres | 21,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 43,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 13,000–56,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 68,000–117,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Mazda Mazda3 2004–2009 · 914 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 56% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2004–2009 Mazda Mazda3 recalls (8)
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (3), visibility equipment (1), the steering (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jul 2021 · 2004–2007 · Air BagsPlastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
What can happen. Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. 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…
Jun 2011 · 2008–2009 · VisibilityThe loss of wiper function in adverse weather could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Mazda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured from january 7, 2008, through november 28, 2008. The ground terminal of the windshield wiper motor may have been inadvertently bent during assembly. If this condition…
What can happen. The loss of wiper function in adverse weather could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the wiper motor free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before july 15, 2011. Owners may contact Mazda customer assistance…
Aug 2010 · 2007–2009 · SteeringPower steering assist is suddenly lost reducing the driver's ability to steer the vehicle as typically…
The defect. Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008. These vehicles may have a condition in which a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur at any time while driving the…
What can happen. Power steering assist is suddenly lost reducing the driver's ability to steer the vehicle as typically expected, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump and lines free of charge. The safety recall began on september 15, 2010. Owners may contact Mazda customer assistance center…
May 2009 · 2009 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)Improper operation of the electronic stability control.
The defect. Mazda is recalling 7,100 my 2009 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with dynamic stability control for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126, "Electronic stability control system". The yaw rate measured after…
What can happen. Improper operation of the electronic stability control.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and have the unit replaced free of charge. The recall began on july 14, 2009. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Jul 2007 · 2007 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the vehicle is continuously driven under such condition, the no.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the no. 4 Left side engine mount bolt may loosen if a sudden rapid acceleration is repeatedly performed.
What can happen. If the vehicle is continuously driven under such condition, the no. 4 Engine mount bolt may loosen and pull out or break, allowing the transmission to be out of position. In extreme cases, the drive…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the no. 4 Engine mount bolt with a modified one, and, if necessary, replace the no. 4 Engine mount rubber and bracket with new ones free of charge. The recallbegan on…
Feb 2007 · 2007 · EquipmentIn this situation it is possible that the accelerator pedal might get stuck behind the floor mat, which may…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles equipped with optional accessory all weather floor mats, there is insufficient clearance between the floor mat and accelerator pedal.
What can happen. In this situation it is possible that the accelerator pedal might get stuck behind the floor mat, which may prevent the vehicle from properly decelerating when the accelerator is released increasing…
The free fix. Owners will be instructed to return the floor mats to dealers and will be shipped a new floor mat free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2007. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Nov 2004 · 2005 · Air BagsThe airbag may not deploy when the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash and it can cause serious injuries.
The 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.
What can happen. The airbag may not deploy when the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash and it can cause serious injuries.
The free fix. Dealers repaired these vehicles. The two vehicle owners were contacted by telephone on november 22, 2004, and these vehicles have been repaired.
Sep 2004 · 2004 · Air BagsIf this problem exists, the air will not deploy as designed in certain types of frontal crashes, increasing…
The 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,123 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 125 (11.1%)
- Fires
- 15
- Injury reports
- 70
- Fatality reports
- 0
Mazda3 problems by model year
The 2008 drew the most complaints of this generation, 336, most of them about the steering, and the 2005 the fewest, 97. A typical year drew about 156.
That makes the 2008 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 145 | 111 | 59,000 | Airbag system (25) | 2 |
| 2005 | 97 | 77 | 66,000 | Airbag system (24) | 2 |
| 2006 | 166 | 124 | 71,000 | Steering (28) | 1 |
| 2007 | 260 | 215 | 64,000 | Steering (90) | 4 |
| 2008 | 336 | 286 | 42,000 | Steering (117) | 2 |
| 2009 | 119 | 101 | 35,000 | Steering (35) | 3 |
What Mazda3 owners reported
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the steering then seized. While checking the NHTSA.gov website…
2007 · 195,000 miles · Steering
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…
2005 · 220,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that previously there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle and in the trunk. In addition, the contact stated that the odor was…
2009 · 102,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda 3 equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Ventus S1 Noble2, Tire Size: 205/50/R17, DOT Number: N/A. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, a loud explosion was heard. The contact's wife alerted him that the rear driver's side tire had blown out. The contact's…
2004 · 150,000 miles · Tyres
Built from 914 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Mazda3 generations
- Mazda3 2010–2013 873 reports with mileage, most about body structure
- Mazda3 2014–2018 279 reports with mileage, most about problems owners could not categorise