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.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,741 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #16

Jan 012023

MAZDA3

  • miles

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

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.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #15

Oct 032018

MAZDA3

  • 162,000 miles
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.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

Jul 122016

MAZDA3

  • 146,533 miles
Car won't start due to corrosion on starter wire harness. Every once in a while it will start but even after having the corrosion cleaned off the wires, it still won't start most of the time

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #13

Aug 212015

MAZDA3

  • 35,180 miles

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

Part 2 -(cont.) re: Complaint filed on 8/21/15 (arfc/NHTSA id no: 10750380) (denise from arfc ref no: 902722). Letters from my vehicle manufacturer providing necessary repair information etc. I am adding these complaints to my existing complaint, as during my initial diagnostic report, dated 8/24/15, I faxed and mailed to you, it states how my vehicle's air bag crash sensor is not working and is in the wrong position, which I had to decline to have fixed, as I am financially unavailable to pay for the repair cost. I feel this issue should also be addressed and covered as soon as possible due to the alarming above-mentioned E-mails I had received and believe that those issues are clearly related. And 3. (part 1) re: Unknown/or other: As a result of having my power steering issue repaired (initial complaint), I was told after the repair by a Mr. Carleton at Liberty Mazda, wakefield, MA, that when my right directional signal is turned on, it now continuously clicks extremely fast (code B2899 rt directional - est for directional wiring to just start to locate the issue is listed on the submitted diagnostic report is $220) but that it shouldn't effect me getting a new car inspection sticker or anything, so I had to decline fixing due to cost. (this issue is also included in the original diagnostic report as well, that I have faxed and mailed to you.) I am also unable to afford to have this issue fixed as well, and for the fact that this problem did not exist at all before I originally brought my vehicle in to have the power steering fixed and this issue appeared after that, this should be covered in full and fixed by manufacturer; 3. (part 2.) continuous issue beginning roughly 3-4 weeks of purchase (bought brand new, not used): Clock in vehicle is set to the proper time, but will only last a month maybe at very most before it changes auto and displays a random time.

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #12

Dec 122015

MAZDA3

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mazda 3. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. In addition, when the vehicle was started, the contact noticed a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #11

Dec 042014

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
Car stalled while driving, lost power cant turn the wheel.

- Celebration , FL, USA

problem #10

Nov 012013

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 71,290 miles

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

This is not the first time I am having a problem. It started by the car not starting, then it would start and be fine for a couple months. Battery was not low, fluids were perfect, everything was tested and no problem was found. But there obviously a problem. Now, the car starts but I can't get it out of park and the letters don't light up when I shift gears. It's a security problem I believe but there are not many miles on the car and this has been going on for so long. It's ridiculous.

- Oakbrook Terrace, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 062012

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
While I was driving on 101N, I saw the power steering light illuminating. Steering wheel felt stiff and I have to fight it to keep the car in control while I was making a turn at 45mi/hr. I have experience this issue over 20 time now. On 12/7/12 this issue occurred so many times that I had to park my car at a random shopping center and have a friend pick me up. Unfortunately when I called the dealer, they told me that its not a similar issue as the 07-9 model, so they have to charge me a $150 diagnostics fee. I am currently at 94,385 miles and my extended coverage also expired. Based on my research it will be an expensive repair, somewhere close to 1700-2000. I'm not sure if Mazda going to do anything about this issue, but id like my voice to be heard.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #8

May 142012

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
Five times in the last month I have experienced problems when making left turns. The power steering momentarily shuts off, and the radio/electrical system shuts off momentarily as well. On one occasion the engine also shut off momentarily (for about one full second). When this happens, I feel a complete loss of control over the vehicle. Two different independent mechanics told me that they could not fix the problem and the Mazda dealership refuses to diagnose the problem without charging me because the problem is not a recall, and the car is not under warranty. There is a recall for a very similar issue with the 2007 model of Mazda 3S, but the 2006 models are not included in that recall.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #7

Oct 032011

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
I have a 2006 Mazda 3 with approximately 53,000 miles. While I am driving on the road, the radio will suddenly turn off, the power steering light comes up on the dash, and then the power steering completely fails. Sometimes, the power steering light comes on, but then doesn't shut off. It wasn't too frequent at first, but on some days, it will happen everytime I drive somewhere. It usually occurs early in the drive. Once I turn off the engine and restart, it usually resets and my car is fine. I have seen the recalls for the 2007 Mazda 3 models, but I think my car should also belong in this too. Please help. The mechanics have been unable to detect the problem.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 242010

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Starter on my 2006 Mazda 3 will not crank or start intermittently. This has happen five or six times over the 4 and half years that I have had it. Started only after being jump started. Took it into dealership while under warranty, but they could not find anything wrong with it. Have seen two bulletins that were issued but the problem still seems to be occurring after other owners have been fixed. Luckily I have been near home when it has occurred because there is no warning. It happen after I have driven the car for miles and park for ten minutes.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #5

Nov 042010

MAZDA3

  • 34,000 miles
This is the 2nd time this car has refused to start. The "fix" was done by Mazda over the past summer due to a corrosion problem with the positive battery cable where it attaches to the starter. This time it is not under warranty. My concern is myself or anyone else getting stuck in freezing weather, icy conditions, or a bad part of town in the middle of the night. Mazda is aware of this problem and outlines it in a service bulletin 01-037/08. Should women or children, or anyone else be stranded and harmed in any way by this known defect, I hope Mazda is liable for not addressing this issue.

- Millersburg, OH, USA

problem #4

Sep 092010

MAZDA3

  • 104,232 miles
Motor will not crank and engine does not start, intermittently.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

problem #3

Jun 012010

MAZDA3

  • miles
First the air conditioner flickers on and off on settings 1, 2 and 3. so it is constantly switching off. Second the cd player will not accept or play cds, it just says check disc and ejects the disc. The clock changes time occasionally too.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #2

Dec 022009

MAZDA3

  • 83,568 miles
Car was driving as normal. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Went to go start up the car one morning to go to work, and the car wouldn't start. It was not like a dead battery. I turned the key, nothing happened. No starter motor going, no clicking noise...just got nothing. After getting towed to the dealer, they said they couldn't diagnose anything because the computer they attach to my car was getting no readings - there was the problem. My ECU had completely failed. They had to replace the ECU. Thankfully I had an extended warranty so that saved me $1100+. but I'm afraid this may happen again once the extended warranty expires.

- Walnut, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 182006

MAZDA3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,046 miles
I am the owner of a Mazda 3 2006. Bought the car 1 month ago and just two days ago while driving in a very busy intersection, the vehicle simply stop while in gear and would not start again. Vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. Today I was told that the vehicle's computer simply crashed and a new one needs to be order. When I ask the reason for the computer crash, I was told that the temperature was too hot. Highest temperature reached the day of the incident was 90 degrees. Called the manufacturer to explain concern for my safety and to request a vehicle exchange and was told that the incident needs to occur more than once to be considered a problem.

- Bronx, NY, USA

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