Mazda · Mazda3 · 2010
3
Recalls
686
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2010 Mazda Mazda3 has 3 recalls and 686 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: structure (99 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2010 Mazda Mazda3 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is structure with 99 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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 frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.
Remedy Status
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 began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
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 manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Remedy Status
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 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
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 SHORT-CIRCUIT BETWEEN CERTAIN HARNESS WIRES AND THE STARTER HOUSING. A SHORT-CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND/OR POOR SHIFT QUALITY.
Remedy Status
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 CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
The AT light came on the dash, added transmission fluid because it was a little low but the light still has not gone off. I think there is an electrical problem within the transmission. It's had shifting issues since purchasing this vehicle. I also have a small child that comes w...
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my girlfriend had bought a car from a dealership in Pennsylvania and the car is registered in Pennsylvania at a dealer called premier world wide auto sales. when she had bought the car all four of the tires i believe should have failed pa safety inspection and the owner of this s...
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NHTSA Complaint Narrative I am filing this complaint regarding a 2010 Mazda 3, VIN [XXX] . The vehicle experiences intermittent transmission control failures, including difficulty shifting out of first gear and warning indicators triggered by vibration. The transmission and tra...
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See attached document for complaint.
On August 15, 2025, my 2010 Mazda 3 began displaying the ABS warning light intermittently while driving. The ABS system is a critical safety feature, and when the light comes on, I am unsure if the braking system will function properly in an emergency. I scanned the vehicle usin...
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I have reason to believe the dealership I bought my vehicle from rolled back my odometer. Upon checking my carfax information, 12/01/24, the odometer read 161,142, which the dealership did own my vehicle at this time. When I bought this car in April of 2025, the odometer was read...
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This vehicle is subject to recall #: 17V-082 referring to a drivers seat lifter link than can break. My car has a broken lifter link, was brought to the dealership and instead of replacing the entire seat adjuster unit like the recall states, they simply installed a reinforcem...
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I purchased two tires from Les Schwab in Molalla, OR on 1/15/25 in which upon them changing the tires they damaged one of my TPMS sensors and they did not replace it. I didn't have a warning light before I went in and now I do and they knowingly did not replace it when TPMS senso...
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Transmission slipping. Not shifting correctly.
The a.b.s pump module is defective in these vehicles. There are tons of people having issues with them. When they fail it happens suddenly resulting in brake failure, power steering failure, the car does not like to shut off, the vehicle will go into "limp mode" and every light o...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 686 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2010 Mazda models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2010 Mazda Mazda3 has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 686 owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Mazda Mazda3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2010 Mazda Mazda3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2010 Mazda Mazda3 are structure (99 reports), seats (93 reports), unknown or other (76 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2010 Mazda Mazda3. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.