Mazda Mazda3 2010–2013 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (BL)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,207 complaints, 873 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2010 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 718
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2010
- Body structure174 reports · median 49,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise137 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Seats124 reports · median 70,000 mi
Recall areas Seats · Structure — body · Electrical system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 45,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 137
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2011
- Airbag system29 reports
- Seats20 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise18 reports
Recall areas Seats · Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 39,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 232
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2012
- Transmission and driveline43 reports · median 19,000 mi
- Engine32 reports · median 20,000 mi
- Exterior lighting32 reports
Recall areas Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 42,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 120
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2013
- Exterior lighting36 reports · median 45,000 mi
- Electrical system32 reports
- Transmission and driveline18 reports
Recall areas Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2010; earliest: the 2012, and the 2010 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 52,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 119,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 873
- Recalls
- 3
Most reported
- Body structure18.1% of complaints · median 49,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise15.2% of complaints · median 76,000 mi
- Seats14.3% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
Documented problems
Owners filed 1,207 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3; body structure leads with 18.1% of them, and half of the 873 that record an odometer reading came by 52,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 30,000 to 84,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3 last?
On the 2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3, half of the 873 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 52,000 miles and 90% by 119,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
35 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 4 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Mazda3 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Mazda Mazda3 2010–2013 · 873 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 95 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 4 complaints (0.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 12,000
- 25%
- 30,000
- Median
- 52,000
- 75%
- 84,000
- 90%
- 119,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 76 | 8.7% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 65 | 7.4% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 71 | 8.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 90 | 10.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 95 | 10.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 93 | 10.7% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 82 | 9.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 52 | 6.0% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 54 | 6.2% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 47 | 5.4% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 39 | 4.5% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 22 | 2.5% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 22 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 18 | 2.1% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 12 | 1.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 10 | 1.1% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 12 | 1.4% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 4 | 0.5% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Mazda3 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Mazda Mazda3 2010–2013
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Transmission and driveline115 reportsmedian 30,000middle half 17,000–60,000
- Body structure218 reportsmedian 49,000middle half 34,000–65,000
- Exterior lighting104 reportsmedian 51,000middle half 36,000–80,000
- Visibility/wiper115 reportsmedian 58,000middle half 39,000–79,000
- Electrical system124 reportsmedian 64,000middle half 38,000–101,000
- Seats172 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 51,000–100,000
- Problems owners could not categorise183 reportsmedian 76,000middle half 50,000–99,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 218 | 18.1% | 49,000 | 34,000–65,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 183 | 15.2% | 76,000 | 50,000–99,000 |
| Seats | 172 | 14.3% | 70,000 | 51,000–100,000 |
| Electrical system | 124 | 10.3% | 64,000 | 38,000–101,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 115 | 9.5% | 30,000 | 17,000–60,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 115 | 9.5% | 58,000 | 39,000–79,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 104 | 8.6% | 51,000 | 36,000–80,000 |
| Airbag system | 82 | 6.8% | 60,000 | 38,000–90,000 |
| Wheels | 73 | 6.0% | 49,000 | 35,000–70,000 |
| Engine | 70 | 5.8% | 38,000 | 12,000–100,000 |
Known problems with the 2010–2013 Mazda3
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.
Before you buy a 2010–2013 Mazda3: the 3-minute check
Generated from 873 mileage-tagged complaints, 3 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check powertrain (generation split) on 2012–2013 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check electrical.
- Check body / corrosion.
- Years differ here: from 120 to 718 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 mi78% below | At 120k mi90% below | At 150k mi96% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 34,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 50,000–99,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Seats | 51,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 38,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 17,000–60,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility/wiper | 39,000–79,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 36,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Mazda Mazda3 2010–2013 · 873 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 — 78% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3 recalls (3)
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
Feb 2017 · 2010–2011 · SeatsIf the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat…
What can happen. If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall…
Sep 2016 · 2010–2013 · StructureIf the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles…
What can happen. If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The free fix. Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at…
Apr 2009 · 2010 · Electrical SystemThe main fuse may blow out causing the engine to stall and inability of restart, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Mazda is recalling 25,400 my 2010 Mazda3 vehicles. A clearance between the engine harness and the housing of starter motor may be insufficient. Due to this, the covering of the harness may be damaged through vibration during operation possibly causing a…
What can happen. The main fuse may blow out causing the engine to stall and inability of restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will have the engine harness inspect and add a protector clip on the affected section of the harness. If necessary, the harness will be repaired. This service will be performed free of…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,207 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 48 (4.0%)
- Fires
- 10
- Injury reports
- 27
- Fatality reports
- 0
Mazda3 problems by model year
The 2010 drew the most complaints of this generation, 718, most of them about body structure, and the 2013 the fewest, 120. A typical year drew about 184.
That makes the 2010 stand out at roughly 3.9 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 718 | 516 | 60,000 | Body structure (174) | 3 |
| 2011 | 137 | 99 | 45,000 | Airbag system (29) | 2 |
| 2012 | 232 | 176 | 39,000 | Transmission and driveline (43) | 1 |
| 2013 | 120 | 82 | 42,000 | Exterior lighting (36) | 1 |
What Mazda3 owners reported
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driver’s side seat wobbled and was unsecured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the front driver’s side seat lifter link was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet…
2011 · 168,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The vehicle was transported from the east to Texas, and the vehicle was bought used. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky and that a gap was between the instrument panel and cover. The contact stated that a small to medium bubble had started to form. The vehicle was…
2012 · 100,000 miles · Body structure
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside and outside the vehicle for the next 5 days, prompting the contact to only fuel the vehicle halfway. The contact observed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle near the fuel tank. No…
2012 · 81,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the adhesive tape on the instrument panel was melt, making it difficult to see the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted…
2010 · 105,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 873 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Mazda3 generations
- Mazda3 2004–2009 914 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Mazda3 2014–2018 279 reports with mileage, most about problems owners could not categorise