Mazda Mazda3 2004–2009
1st generation (BK)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,364 complaints, 1,108 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 27,514 and 94,501 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 9,650
- 25%
- 27,514
- Median
- 55,325
- 75%
- 94,501
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 111 | 10.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 86 | 7.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 99 | 8.9% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 110 | 9.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 88 | 7.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 90 | 8.1% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 63 | 5.7% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 76 | 6.9% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 81 | 7.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 58 | 5.2% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 48 | 4.3% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 44 | 4.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 41 | 3.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 35 | 3.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 18 | 1.6% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 14 | 1.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 15 | 1.4% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 9 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 9 | 0.8% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,364 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2009 Mazda Mazda3, and 1,108 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 27,514 and 94,501 miles. The median is 55,325 miles.
The most-reported areas are the steering (22.6% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles), the airbag system (10.6% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles), the tyres (7.6% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
3 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Steering50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 90,000
- Airbag system67,000median 67,262 miles, middle half 28,000 to 110,000
- Tyres40,000median 40,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 70,000
- Transmission and driveline74,000median 74,000 miles, middle half 31,000 to 101,000
- Electrical system77,000median 77,050 miles, middle half 43,000 to 120,000
- Engine and its cooling system41,000median 41,320 miles, middle half 22,000 to 65,000
- Engine87,000median 87,000 miles, middle half 68,000 to 118,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 308 | 22.6% | 50,000 | 27,000–90,000 |
| Airbag system | 145 | 10.6% | 67,000 | 28,000–110,000 |
| Tyres | 104 | 7.6% | 40,000 | 21,000–70,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 88 | 6.5% | 74,000 | 31,000–101,000 |
| Electrical system | 88 | 6.5% | 77,000 | 43,000–120,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 74 | 5.4% | 41,000 | 22,000–65,000 |
| Engine | 65 | 4.8% | 87,000 | 68,000–118,000 |
| Wheels | 63 | 4.6% | 58,000 | 38,000–78,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 55 | 4.0% | 16,000 | 1,000–38,000 |
| Suspension | 53 | 3.9% | 36,000 | 20,000–92,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 55,325 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The steering accounts for 22.6% of complaints (308 reports, 276 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,200 and 90,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 10.6% of complaints (145 reports, 112 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 67,262 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,000 and 110,000 miles.
The tyres account for 7.6% of complaints (104 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 40,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,400 and 70,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.5% of complaints (88 reports, 70 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 31,000 and 101,231 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.5% of complaints (88 reports, 69 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,050 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,679 and 120,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 5.4% of complaints (74 reports, 62 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 41,320 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 65,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2008 model year drew the most — 387 complaints — while 2005 drew the fewest at 127. The median year sits at 204.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,364 complaints filed against this generation, 169 reported a crash; 18 reported a fire; 140 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 12.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 27,514 and 94,501 miles, with a median of 55,325. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the steering and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The steering in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 185 | 143 |
| 2005 | 127 | 103 |
| 2006 | 224 | 171 |
| 2007 | 301 | 245 |
| 2008 | 387 | 330 |
| 2009 | 140 | 116 |
Recalls (3)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V494000 | 2021-08-28 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 11V329000 | 2011-07-06 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor |
| 10V374000 | 2010-09-15 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
What owners reported
1)4 Days after buying the car my front brake rotors had 3 large (1m wide more than .5Mm deep) grooves and the rear brake rotors were starting to develop the same problem. The pads must have some type of hard metalic pieces in them that gradually destroys the brake rotors. 2)It's only a matter of time before the pads…
2004 · 100 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The airconditioner in my Mazda 3 barely functions at all. I had it in to the dealer twice in the first week of ownership. They stated it was up to standards. When i asked what the standard was, they said if it cooled at all it passed the standard. With the air on, the car accelerates very poorly. When the gas pedal…
2004 · 100 miles · Equipment
Excessive brake wear and noise days after purchasing my Mazda3 i placed a call to the dealership where i purchased it. I stated that the vehicle's braking system was creating an excessive amount of noise and brake dust from wear. I was told that during the first weeks of a new car that this was expected. The…
2004 · 100 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
There is brake noise in my 2004 model year Mazda 3. I have just bought my car 3 days ago. I noticed the noise in the first day, i called the dealer and i was told that it is normal because the car is new and it will disappear in a few days. But it is not disappearing on the contrary it is now more noticeable. It does…
2004 · 150 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 1,108 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page