CarComplaints.com Notes: Except for a minor issue with cracked motor mounts, the 2006 MAZDA3 is a fantastic vehicle with a great reputation.

If you need to replace the motor mounts, first ask your dealer if they'll cover it -- the motor mounts were dealt with in a TSB & were recalled for some model years. Otherwise buy aftermarket motor mounts -- owners report this solves the problem. If you use the same OEM parts, they may just crack again.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #5

Oct 302010

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had gotten a flat tire after hitting a pot hole and knew that I was going to need new tires shortly anyways so I had them put on a used tire to get me through two weeks and while during the two weeks I was gone for a few days and had new brakes put on and asked them to just double check to make sure there was no other damage- there was- a busted strut on my front passenger side (side that I got a flat). I waited until I got home from a vacation (car wasn't driven) and got that fixed but everyone was surprised with the strut being out. All 4 tires were replaced as were both front struts. Car was great for ~2 wks. Then it was loud and terrible vibrations. After arguing and complaining a month later they replaced tires for me because two weren't even keeping tire pressure and then I remembered that a few months prior I was at the Mazda dealership (where I really can't stand the jerks!-they're awful!) and they said I had a busted motor mount but refused to show me. I had my main dealer check it out but they found nothing then a family friend, but again nothing. Ff to December and I give in and go back to Mazda- motor mount would be in multiple pieces if it wasn't in a capsule like device. In January they got my part in and replaced it- also knocking out a stopper- and vibrations stopped. Mount shouldn't have gone out so fast- at initial dx I think car was at 45K-50K miles (late summer of '10) I think there's a defect with mounts (mine was passenger side over tire area) and also with struts. Everyone has told me- Mazda, my dealer (zimbrick-who is absolutely amazing!), and a few other service centers that the struts should've lasted a lot longer.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #4

Feb 052009

MAZDA3

  • 29,000 miles
Following a rear end collision, my 2006 Mazda3 mileage dropped from ~24mpg to ~8mpg, with no torque at all from ~20mph. Significant steering trouble, awful tire noise, and loud knocking when turning were dismissed by the local dealer as "well within specs". requested brake caliper and alignment check, refused by the same dealer; tech performed a road test, declared the problem due to tire feathering and demonstrated 120mph tight curve as remedy. Three sets of tires, one set of wheels [3 of oem were warped], entire complement of motor mounts, two sets of rotors later, I'm about to replace caliper mounts and axles. Car is unsafe, and dealership disregard of warranty and tsbs, and of basic safety standards was outrageous, especially given (ongoing) [spine injury from collision was nearly fatal] circumstances.

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 092010

MAZDA3

  • 85,000 miles
Took the car into dealer for normal scheduled maintenance (oil change/tire rotation). Told that the #3 engine mount is cracked and needs to be replaced. Service advisor tells me that it is a general occurrence and that he sees 1-2 a week with cracked/broken #3 engine mounts. Mazda headquarters says that it is normal wear/tear on the car and will not cover the engine mount, even through a goodwill account, saying it is my responsibility because it is out of warranty. Service advisor says that these engine mounts should not be breaking and are not normal wear/tear. A tsb was put out in 2007 regarding #3 engine mount replacement, but no recall; however, a recall was put out on mazdaspeed3 for a faulty #4 engine mount. This can be a major safety hazard if it breaks clean through due to Mazda's faulty design flaws. Service advisor suggested that I replace it because it can cause an accident and major engine damage if it breaks. Do not know if Mazda has remedied the situation with a new part or if the old parts are retrofitted to fix the problem.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #2

Nov 042009

MAZDA3

  • 71,000 miles
I am filling this form out in response to negligence and false advertising on the part of clay cooley of dallas Texas. When me and my fiance went to trade in our car the Ford dealer (five star Ford) ran a auto check and found that it has frame damage and would not take it for less than 2000$ but we owed 14000$ so we could never get a loan on another car with that cars report. When we talked to clay cooley we talked to alex seranga he said we could bring the car in and insinuated that they would take the loan if we got another car, but of course when we got there they wanted to us to trade in the vehicle for another car. Also they would not tell us what the auction paper work said for the car they tried to sell us and refused to show it to us. When we showed them the auto check report that says the frame was damaged on our car and they bought and sold it knowingly from auction with unibody damage they said they never heard of auto check. But after doing research on the auto check website I have found that they are the only ones promoted by the nada so there can be little way they never heard of them. Please help me I and my family don't know what to do now. The car is a 2006 Mazda 3

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #1

Jan 082009

MAZDA3

  • 40,000 miles
2006 Mazda 3 alignment issue ruining new tires. Now Mazda claims I need a $900 front alignment repair, but can't explain why"???? I've gone through 2 sets of tires in 50,000 miles??"

- Las , NV, USA

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