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.

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,022 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 012024

MAZDA3

  • miles

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

There-??s a recal in my current steering wheel of the 2006 Mazda 3 sedan i recently purchased

- Fresno , CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 302021

MAZDA3

  • miles
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?

- Sparks, NV, USA

problem #6

Jun 252020

MAZDA3

  • 82,500 miles
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.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #5

May 152019

MAZDA3

  • 91,000 miles

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

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

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #4

Aug 012011

MAZDA3

  • miles
This vehicle's VIN cannot be located in any system whatsoever. Not even in the Mazda data base. I need to attend it's recalls.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

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problem #3

Jul 152017

MAZDA3

  • 113,500 miles
Car continuingly shows evap dtcs including P0443 and P0446 as well as either too rich or too lean fuel mixture and and O2 sensor issue code. Both O2 sensors were replace previously. The main concern is dangerous and has already almost caused several accidents while the issue has occurred after driving from a stopped position. The issue is, when the vehicle stops at 0 mph, the normal idling RPM speed is around 750rpm. During stops longer than a second, the car will lower the idle rpms to about 500rpm and stay until the throttle is engaged. When the throttle is engaged the vehicle hesitates and comes close to stalling. The vehicle will not power the wheels above about 1000rpms when the throttle is fully depressed and the car will hesitate until the car starts to gradually move forward. This all is happening in the intersection. As the car gets to the intersection, the car starts to pick up to about 1000 to 1500rpm and only then will the car start to fully drive forward without relation to driver's forced depression of the throttle. Basically the vehicle is defiantly not going above 1500rpm until the vehicle is a certain ways forward. This is very dangerous and I have already had very close calls with a Dodge durango, a tractor trailer, an unidentified sedan, and a Toyota prius (of all the vehicles in the world). I was almost "T-boned" by a prius. This issue is I believe to be an issue with the fuel system or engine as this issue only really occurs when it is very very humid or hot out. Usually above 80 degrees with any humidity at all. Could be a vaporlock, although somewhat unusual for a fuel injected vehicle, it isn't impossible.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 212015

MAZDA3

  • 35,180 miles
Part 1 - 1. re: Complaint filed on 8/21/15 (arfc/NHTSA id no: 10750380) (denise from arfc ref no: 902722). As per instruction, I brought my car to an official, authorized repair Mazda dealer on 8/24/15 (Liberty Mazda, wakefield, MA) for a diagnostic report to be done, which was completed. After the diagnostic report was completed, I kept my vehicle there for repair of the power steering completely not working. I faxed and mailed to the NHTSA, the diagnostic report, the total invoice of repair, proof of payment in full, as well as 3-4 more documents provided by Liberty Mazda, and I have not yet received any update as of yet. I was told that due to my low mileage, many other complaints by 2006 Mazda 3 owners for the same issue have been filed, as well as the fact that this clearly is a "safety-related defect in the vehicle or equipment" (direct quote from ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov under "when is a recall necessary?, page 6 out of 20) was told that reimbursement for this costly repair would be issued by recall or by warranty due to my low mileage. Also quoting from ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov under "examples of defects considered safety-related", (page 7 out of 20), which states "steering components that break suddenly causing partial or complete loss of vehicle control.", I absolutely feel that this reimbursement issue be addressed to me as soon as possible. 2. re: Air bags: I received an email from U.S. dot NHTSA, dated Friday, 1/08/16 stating my car make/model/year may be involved in a safety recall based on NHTSA campaign id no: 15V869; subject: Passenger air bag inflators may rupture. I then received another email on 2/6/16 stating my car make/model/year may be involved in another safety recall: Manufacturer: Mazda North american operations; make / model years : Mazda / 2004-2006, subject: Driver side air bag frontal inflator may rupture.. and I have yet to receive any separate

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #1

Sep 182015

MAZDA3

  • 150,000 miles
I was on a freeway off-ramp at approximately 50 mph, when loud grinding and crashing noises came from under the hood. The car then became difficult to steer, and would no longer propel itself. I coasted into a driveway near the bottom of the off-ramp. Upon inspection, I discovered that the transmission "motor mount" had broken. The engine apparently lunged forward, sheering off bolts to the other motor mounts, and landed on the suspension, severely damaging many front-end parts. The car was towed to the nearest Mazda dealership, whose service department confirmed my assessment of what had occurred. The repair estimate is approximately $3,000. Before the incident, the car was in excellent condition, having been well-maintained. (I have service records.) I discovered that Mazda had recalled a number of Mazda 3's for motor mount problems, but my car was not among those recalled. While the car is no longer under warranty, this is a very unusual type of failure, which, under other circumstances, could have caused a serious collision. I have owned numerous cars over the years, with far more miles on them, and never had a motor mount fail in such a catastrophic manner. This seems like a design/engineering flaw.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

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