2004 Mazda MAZDA3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 145 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 145 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car ran great for the end of 2019. I bought it used at 145,000 miles. Then the automatic transmission started to slip. Now its stuck in limp mode.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
“The tail lights go out intermittently due to a defective passenger junction box (fuse box). Tapping the box with a screwdriver handle will bring the tail lights back on for a while. This has been a mazda 3 issue over the years. The should be a recall on this.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda 3. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the front passenger seat main module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted, but could not assist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,680.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driver side front seat wobbles-entire assembly needs to be replaced-dangerous if weld had broken while on freeway-why isn't this a safety recall-numerous other complaints for various model years even when new-are seats removed by l0-jack techs when installing lo-jack devices?”Owner report · Seats · May 2017
“No problems from car no warning light. Big bang then engine making very loud knocking noise...on interstate... Still cranks but needs motor...read that lot of people have had same problems”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2017
“The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V468000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Power steering goes out intermittently. Often starts when turning the wheel to the left. The power steering failure light , or sometimes all warning lights, come on. The steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn in either direction and the car is difficult and hazardous to navigate to a stop. Electronics flash on and off (headlights, radio, etc.). Car sometimes dies. If the steering wheel is not perfectly straight when the car dies, it is locked and the car cannot be restarted until someone can wrench the steering wheel straight again. This has happened off and on for a year. Since it is intermittent, mechanics are unable to find the problem.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda 3. When the vehicle was started, the steering wheel light illuminated. The steering wheel locked and was hard to turn. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on a few times and shifted the steering wheel to the left and right, but the wheel would not unlock. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,173.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2016
“Was in accident hit ditch and tree head on and airbags did not deploy, causing injury to face from hitting steering wheel. Was on city street and in motion.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“There was a strong fuel smell that was occurring on both the inside and outside of my car every time I filled my car up. I took to my the mechanic and it was found my fuel tank was leaking in 2 spots. One was part of the gas tank that vents the fumes - that seal was leaking and the other was part of the locking ring that is on the gas tank itself was cracked.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Remedy: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MAZDA3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
NHTSA has 145 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3. The most complained-about area is air bags (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.