2010 Mazda Mazda3 Brakes Problems

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 using a Foxwell diagnostic tool and retrieved the following ABS-related fault codes: C0020:1C-2B – ABS Pump Motor Control Circuit U0425:62-60 – Invalid Data Received from IPC/ABS Control Module U0140:00-28 – Lost Communication with Body Control Module These issues are consistent with Mazda Technical Service Bulletin 04-002/13 (July 17, 2013), which documents ABS pump motor failures caused by poor motor brush contact. This is a serious safety concern because the ABS system fails without warning, leaving the driver and passengers at risk of brake loss in critical conditions. Why this should be investigated: The defect occurs intermittently, making it difficult to predict or reproduce. It matches a known documented defect acknowledged by Mazda in TSB 04-002/13. Other owners have reported similar ABS pump failures in Mazda vehicles of this generation. The failure compromises safe braking and should be treated as a safety defect warranting investigation and possible recall. Action Requested: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this recurring ABS pump/motor failure in 2010 Mazda 3 vehicles and determine whether a recall should be issued to address this known defect.

ABS or the ABS computer malfunction or wasn't working correctly and almost cause an accident.

ABS will cause complete brake failure when it is engaged. For example, needing to stop quickly to avoid hitting another vehicle and the brakes will lose all pressure and the vehicle will not stop. Several mechanics have not been able to diagnose or fix. Immediately after the incident, there will be minimal brake pressure of about 20%, eventually it will return to normal. Must avoid applying brakes in emergency situations as it will actually be worse than attempting to steer out of it. This has happened about 6 times in 4 years. It happened the first time about 3 days after I bought the vehicle in 2019.

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, BREAK LIGHT STAYS ON. ABS is not working.

Component: ABS Hydraulic Unit; How was safety at risk: The failure of the ABS system clearly poses a risk; Reproduced: The original ABS Hydraulic Unit has a known design flaw that causes it to fail under mild environmental conditions (see, e.g. SB-10053757-3542); Inspected: The problem has been diagnosed by an independent mechanic; Warning lights: The ABS light (and occasionally DSC and BRAKE lights as well) sometimes became illuminated.

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the brake failed with the ABS warning light, traction control, and emergency brake light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was engaged and failed to bring the vehicle to a stop. The brake pedal was depressed twice before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the traction control module and ABS module needed to be replaced. Additionally, the brake fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

HAD MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON SO I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED THESE UP IN MY MAZDA HANDBOOK. IT SAID TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON MY CAR FOR YEARS AND I TRUST HIM. HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE DSC MODULE AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HE ALSO TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WILL NOW BE CHARGED $150 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE SAME THING MY MECHANIC DID. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT. I THINK THIS IS UNFAIR TO US THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE OR THAT THIS REPAIR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CAR OF MY VEHICLE AND NOW I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR.

ABS COMPONENT IS RUSTED AND BROKEN LEAVING ABS NOT A FUNCTIONING SAFETY MEASURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING A DOG. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS BRAKING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE BRAKE PADS, BRAKE BOOSTER, AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE BRAKES PEDAL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. CARMAX (507 SIMONS RUN, LYNCHBURG, VA 24502) (434) 239-0163) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

I JUST BOUGHT MY DTR A 2010 THAT HAS THE SAME SPONGY BRAKE PROBLEM I'VE READ A LOT ABOUT ONLINE. THE PEDAL GIVES VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE (AND THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING) FOR THE FIRST 1-2" OF TRAVEL, THEN IT WORKS AND BRAKES NORMALLY. I TRIED TRYING TO ACTIVATE THE ABS MANY TIMES AS SOME MENTIONED HAD "FIXED" THE PROBLEM FOR THEM BUT THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. NOT ONLY DID IT NOT FIX IT, BUT IT MADE ME REALIZE THAT THE ABS DOESN'T WORK SINCE AT LEAST 1 TIRE LOCKED UP AND WAS SKIDDING. SO SPONGY BRAKES, NO ABS, AND NO ABS WARNING LIGHT. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS (SOME SAY A NEW ABS AND BRAKE BOOSTER FOR $2K TOOK CARE OF IT, BUT OTHERS SAID IT DIDN'T), AND SOMEONE SAYS THERE'S EVEN A TSB FOR IT. SO OBVIOUSLY IT'S A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, BUT MAZDA APPARENTLY WON'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GETTING $$.

THE ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ONE DAY SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE IS A MAZDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM FOR AREAS WITH HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AND WAS CONSTANT IN THE HOT WASHINGTON DC SUMMER, BUT HAS BECOME INTERMITTENT NOW THAT WINTER HAS COME. THE TSB IS QUOTED BELOW. THIS REALLY SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL VERSUS A TSB. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BULLETIN 357659 ACTION NUMBER: 10053757 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 357659 REPORT DATE: JUL 17, 2013 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SUMMARY: MAZDA: THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND ABS MOTOR MONITOR SIGNAL FAILS TO CORRESPOND TO ABS HU/CM ON/OFF SIGNAL AND HAPPENS IN AREA WHERE THERE IS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY. MODEL 2010-2011 MAZDA3. *PE

ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME AND HAVE STAYED ON. TOLD THE ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACING.

2010 MAZDA 3. IN AN EMERGENCY HIGHWAY INCIDENT I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, BUT I AVOIDED A COLLISION BY SWERVING OUT OF DANGER. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT EFFECTIVELY STOP THE CAR LEADING ME TO CONCLUDE THE BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED AND EVENTUALLY THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2010. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN BY MAZDA FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND A TSB WAS ISSUED. AS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED SINCE THE ABS SYSTEM IS CRITICAL TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF A VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, MAZDA HAS NOT DEEMED A POTENTIAL, COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH ISSUE TO ORDER A RECALL. THE FAILURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DRIVER USE BUT IS DUE TO A FAULTY SYSTEM AS THIS COMPONENT SHOULD TYPICALLY LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST LONGER THAN 53000 MILES AND LIMITED DRIVING.

The abs (anti-lock braking system) unit module failed and no, the failing component has been replaced. The brake pedal went to the floor and almost caused an accident. Yes, the problem kept occurring, and yes, a dealer did reproduce the problem. Yes, it has been inspected by a dealer, but not the manufacturer. No, there was no warning lamps or problems prior to the failure.

ABS AND TRACTION DASHBOARD LIGHTS STAYED ON. MECHANIC REPLACED ABS SENSOR IN FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ($200); LIGHTS STILL STAYED ON. TOLD TO TAKE TO MAZDA. TOOK TO ANNAPOLIS MAZDA, $149.50 DIAGNOSIS CHARGE. GOT CALL THIS MORNING $1456 TO REPLACE ABS MODULE. NO RECALL BUT LOTS OF ISSUES ONLINE BY OWNERS OF SAME VEHICLE, SAME PROBLEM. ADVISORY BULLETIN RELEASED IN 2013; MAZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR MANY YEARS. ANNAPOLIS MAZDA SAID PART ON BACK ORDER WITH 'NO EFFECTIVE DELIVERY DATE; DO NOT DRIVE CAR, HAZARDOUS' OK, WHAT TO DO THEN? MAZDA OBVIOUSLY HAS PROBLEM, ARE NOT STOCKING PARTS TO KEEP THEIR CAR OWNERS SAFE!!! ???

THE ABS MODULE FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE ABS, TRACTION AND MAIN RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THESE INDICATIONS. THERE IS A MAZDA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM FOR HOT HUMID CLIMATES (I LIVE IN MERRITT ISLAND, FL). THE TSB IS QUOTED BELOW. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL VERSUS A TSB. PLEASE HELP! 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BULLETIN 357659 ACTION NUMBER: 10053757 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 357659 REPORT DATE: JUL 17, 2013 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SUMMARY: MAZDA: THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND ABS MOTOR MONITOR SIGNAL FAILS TO CORRESPOND TO ABS HU/CM ON/OFF SIGNAL AND HAPPENS IN AREA WHERE THERE IS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY. MODEL 2010-2011 MAZDA3. *PE

MY CAR HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHEN I WOULD BRAKE, SO I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED. WHEN THEY REMOVED THE ROTORS, THE ROTOR HUBS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE ROTORS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. PEARSON MAZDA OF HENRICO, VA 23294 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS FAULTY AND COULD CAUSE A FUTURE LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. DSC (STABILITY CONTROL) LIGHT ALSO COMES ON, SINCE IT RELIES ON ABS WORKING TO BE EFFECTIVE. IN THIS MODE, HYDRAULIC BRAKE FUNCTIONS REMAIN, BUT SAFETY IS REDUCED WITHOUT ABS ACTIVE: DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IN A SKID IS NOW NON-EXISTENT, AND EMERGENCY SWERVES CAN BECOME WILD AND HIGHLY ERRATIC. SAFELY HANDLING EMERGENCY OR EVASIVE MANEUVERS IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. DIAGNOSTIC CODES IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER SHOW C0020, U0415

BACK IN OCT OF 2015 MY ABS AND DSC LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AN GO OFF FOR NO REASON. AS OF DECEMBER 2016 THE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED ON. I REPLACED THE SPEED SENSORS IN EACH WHEEL, CHECKED THE TONE RINGS, TESTED THE WIRING FOR BREAKS, TESTED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO CHECK OTHER THAN THE ABS SYSTEMS. I RECENTLY HAD MY CLUTCH REPLACED ON MY 2010 MAZDA 3 S BY MAZDA, WHILE PERFORMING THE WORK I ASKED IF THE TECHNICIAN COULD TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS PUMP WAS BAD, WAS NOT TOLD IF IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE OR THE HYD PUMP MOTOR OR VALVE BODY. BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS, I AM ASSUMING THAT THE CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. I FOUND THAT THERE ARE TSB'S ON THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY COMPLAINTS BY OTHER 2010 MAZDA 3 OWNERS. NHTSA ID: 10053757 TSB ID: SB-04-002-13 NHTSA ID: 10097406 TSB ID: 04-002-13-2812 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET MAZDA TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE?