Mazda Mazda3 2010–2013
2nd generation (BL)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,605 complaints, 1,160 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 28,000 and 82,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 12,000
- 25%
- 28,000
- Median
- 50,000
- 75%
- 82,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 104 | 9.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 92 | 7.9% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 112 | 9.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 124 | 10.7% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 125 | 10.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 121 | 10.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 99 | 8.5% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 62 | 5.3% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 69 | 5.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 57 | 4.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 52 | 4.5% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 25 | 2.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 28 | 2.4% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 24 | 2.1% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 14 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 14 | 1.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 17 | 1.5% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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 1,605 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3, and 1,160 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 28,000 and 82,000 miles. The median is 50,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are body structure (13.1% of complaints, typically around 49,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (11.2% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles), seats (9.4% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
2 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Body structure49,000median 49,000 miles, middle half 34,000 to 65,000
- Problems owners could not categorise77,000median 77,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 100,000
- Seats70,000median 70,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 100,000
- Electrical system63,000median 62,764 miles, middle half 38,000 to 101,000
- Visibility/wiper58,000median 58,500 miles, middle half 40,000 to 80,000
- Transmission and driveline30,000median 29,750 miles, middle half 16,000 to 60,000
- Exterior lighting50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 36,000 to 80,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 211 | 13.1% | 49,000 | 34,000–65,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 179 | 11.2% | 77,000 | 50,000–100,000 |
| Seats | 151 | 9.4% | 70,000 | 50,000–100,000 |
| Electrical system | 123 | 7.7% | 63,000 | 38,000–101,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 112 | 7.0% | 58,000 | 40,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 112 | 7.0% | 30,000 | 16,000–60,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 100 | 6.2% | 50,000 | 36,000–80,000 |
| Airbag system | 81 | 5.0% | 60,000 | 38,000–91,000 |
| Wheels | 71 | 4.4% | 49,000 | 35,000–70,000 |
| Steering | 69 | 4.3% | 51,000 | 27,000–89,000 |
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 50,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Body structure accounts for 13.1% of complaints (211 reports, 121 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 34,500 and 65,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 11.2% of complaints (179 reports, 91 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 77,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
Seats account for 9.4% of complaints (151 reports, 113 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,013 and 100,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.7% of complaints (123 reports, 89 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,764 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 101,000 miles.
Visibility/wiper accounts for 7.0% of complaints (112 reports, 64 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 58,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 80,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.0% of complaints (112 reports, 98 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 29,750 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 60,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2010 model year drew the most — 920 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 176. The median year sits at 254.
That makes 2010 an outlier: roughly 3.6 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 2 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 1,605 complaints filed against this generation, 63 reported a crash; 11 reported a fire; 40 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 3.9% 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 28,000 and 82,000 miles, with a median of 50,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, body structure and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Body structure in particular shows a median failure mileage of 49,000, 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
Powertrain (generation Split) 2012–2013
Major mid-generation powertrain change: MY2012-2013 replaced the 2.0L MZR and its 5-speed transmissions with the SkyActiv-G 2.0 and SkyActiv 6-speed manual/automatic. Complaint patterns for 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 should not be pooled.
Electrical
Clock spring and traction control module faults; door lock actuator failures.
Body / Corrosion
Continued rear arch and subframe corrosion complaints in salt-belt states, though reduced versus the BK.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 920 | 654 |
| 2011 | 181 | 126 |
| 2012 | 328 | 260 |
| 2013 | 176 | 120 |
Recalls (2)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 17V082000 | 2017-04-07 | Seats |
| 16V644000 | 2017-03-08 | Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate |
What owners reported
The tire pressure warning light came out one week after purchasing my new Mazda 3 in july 2010. I filled the tire with air but light would come back on several weeks later. Took the car to dealer in october 2010 and they couldn't find any problems. Took it back to dealer in october 2011 and now they find a bent wheel…
2010 · 100 miles · Wheels
A low speed rear-end collision resulted in an immediate explosion of the vehicle, causing a large external fire and smoke to enter the cabin upon impact. The structural damage to the vehicle occurred on the front-right; the fire destroyed the entire front 2/3 of the vehicle (totaling the vehicle). The concern is…
2010 · 150 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
(2010 Mazda3 5-dr with sunroof) when sunroof is fully opened and driving around 35 miles/hr, complete roof starts to vibrate producing loud noise. I took the car to a car dealer and technician noticed the problem as well. I was told that the car is new design and that Mazda engineering received a complain. No action…
2010 · 300 miles · Body structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle, it would lunge forward and the rpms would increase. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact was forced to push the shut off button to stop the vehicle from moving forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who…
2010 · 600 miles · Throttle and speed control
Built from 1,160 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page