2006 Mazda MAZDA3: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 166 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (13% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When I take the key out of the ignition the car doesn't recognize the key is out and won't stop beeping. I can't use the key fob to lock or unlock the car. I have to use the original door key to lock and unlock or the alarm will go off. I have replace the ignition switch cylinder 2 times and it still doesnt work. There is a little bit of "play" that is keeping it from not beeping and beeping. I can take it out slowly and it will work but then it slips again and I get locked out of the car and the alarm goes off again until I use the key to manually unlock the car door.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2023
“The contact owned a 2006 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph when the driver-side airbag deployed without warning which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle. The contact was the only injured and sought medical treatment. The contact sustained bruising on the right wrist and chest. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2021
“This vehicle has one unrepaired recall. When I tried to make an appointment with the Mazda dealer to correct it, no recall is found after giving my VIN number. Is there any other way to have them repair it?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Im having issues with rust the car it's getting pretty much the car it's falling apart the under body it's nothing but rust I'm scared of changing a tire because there's actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it's going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it's falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it's way too rust same thing with my muffler I don't feel safe I'm My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it's the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don't even feel safe to change a tire”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2021
“My 2006 Mazda was in a serious accident last month and my air bag did not inflate properly along with the warning logo a few days before the accident. My car was picked up and released to Geico yesterday for inspection from their at fault driver totalling my vehicle. It was a head on collision so the air bag is a big factor in a serious wreck. It was confirmed to have an active recall. The warning logo appeared on my dash right before the accident that caused a broken and dislocated hip resulting into two surgeries and a long recovery period.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2021
“I have, had (2), two brand new set, of tires from firestone put on this car. I was also told only those two sets can only be put on this mazda 3. The car keep bucking on every street and every road. Every day and evening.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2020
“My engine has a sudden burst of acceleration. I have to always be ready to drop it into neutral it happens upon the car starting to move”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2019
“Letter expressing concerns regarding mazda's recall for takata air bags. *ld the consumer was informed the vehicle was not apart of the recall. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“My car has been like loosing power when in stuck in traffic to the point it gas shut off in the middle of the highway and turns the power steering light. Now when I put gas on it and turn it on it turns off seems to be electrical but my mechanic told me it must be power steering pump gwtting defective. Well now it has no power steering but it dosent show the light on the panel either.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2018
“While driving on a city street, I started to hear a banging noise coming from the rear of my car. When I got home and checked it out, I saw that the rear shock mount had busted from where it is bolted into the wheel well. It has cracked across the entire mount from bolt to bolt. It's only a matter of time before it happens to the other rear shock.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 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 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
NHTSA has 166 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3. The most complained-about area is air bags (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.