2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 32 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (57% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda 3. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle would stall for two seconds before independently restarting. The contact also mentioned that the dashboard was sticky. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer provided case number: 12396366785. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. The VIN was invalid.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
“While driving, the swing arm which attaches the adjustment bar under the driver seat cushion to the left seat slider broke. The seat rocks freely approximately 1 foot, making the seatbelt useless and the car could not be driven safely. I had to remove the seat and re-weld the swing arm. The dealer solution would be a complete seat replacement costing $900. Mileage: 71000”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2017
“Drivers side seat became loose. When sitting down in the car a loud cluck was heard and the front driver seat moved backward. Upon inspection the weld holding the seat to the bracket had snapped. Car was stationary at the time been rendered un-drivable due to the movement in the seat.”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Drivers side seat broke at welded attachment point to adjuster rail. My son's driver seat was rocking, I thought that the locking washer had fallen off and went to replace, when I removered the side cover I discovered that the bracket that attached the seat to the adjuster frame had broken. Search the web and discovered that this was a common issue with the mazda 3. When to dealer and discovered that I had to replace the whole subframe which cost $300 for the part and $300 for the labor to install it. Mazda needs to do a recall and fix this issue before someone gets hurt and also reimburse everyone who had to replace the poorly constructed part”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2016
“When accelerating from stop or making turns on the street or on a curved highway, my driver's seat reclines back from the base of the seat approximately 3-4 inches. It's been repaired (washer and nuts replaced) several times over the past 3 years. Took it in today (10/17/2016) and was told that I needed a new seat track assembly ($500.00 parts and labor). There are numerous complaints for this model vehicle about the same situation for their 2010 mazda 3 and mazdaspeed 3.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda speed 3. While driving 10 mph, there was a screeching noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the noise sounded like two pieces of metal scraping against each other. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank internal baffle was detached and was rubbing against the inside of the fuel tank. The contact was concerned that the failure could spark a flame inside the fuel tank. The manufacturer was not notified and no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 60,300.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
“Driving along a city street, with my 2 1/2 year old in the vehicle, and the left side of the driver seat bracket broke. I have had this happen before in a previous mazda before, a 2003 protege5. In attached photo, the bracket on the middle-right should be welded on to the bar-section in the middle-left.”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2016
“Vehicle was stationary. Upon sitting in the driver's seat, I heard a "pop" sound. The seat now moves approximately 6 inches fore and aft upon braking and accelerating.”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2016
“After getting into the drivers seat, I heard a loud pop and drivers seat became very loose. Upon inspection, front left bracket for vertical seat adjustment was broken in half. Loose seat would shift during braking and acceleration, an uncomfortable and dangerous situation.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2015
“The front drivers seat started rocking back and forth after hearing a loud crack sound. Closer inspection of the seat in the car revealed that the weld attaching the adjust and the seat failed. Contact mazda and they refused to fix despite noting it in a service bulletin tsb #09-049/10 titled "2010 mazda3 - rattle noise from bottom of driver seat" 2010-11-08. This is a safety issue and could have been very dangerous if driving at the time.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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: 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 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: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact MAZDASPEED3 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 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 reliable?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. The most complained-about area is seats (57% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,257 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:hatchback/liftgate. 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.