4.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,335 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.

2013 Mazda MAZDA3 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #10

Aug 012022

MAZDA3

  • miles

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

I had the dashboard recalled and replaced. The new dashboard is separating from the computer screen on dash.

- Duluth Ga, GA, USA

problem #9

Apr 222022

MAZDA3

  • miles
Tracking number 11461728 added information email from manufacture mitsubushi electric incorporated

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

problem #8

Dec 302020

MAZDA3

  • miles
The instrument panel has come loose, and there is a opening, the inside of it is chipped as well and it is foggy. Just normal driving to and from work. Mazda offered a special service warranty, which my car did not qualify because this gap had not occurred yet. Conveniently, the extension expired before my panel started coming apart. I spoke with Mazda today and they told me I was to late. Well I was ineligible because it hadn't come apart yet. Apparently they are aware of this problem as they did off a special warranty for it. All models that had these defective panels or bad adhesive from the same lot regardless if they had started to come apart yet, should have been replaced so this wouldn't happen. I understand normal wear and tear. If this is just chocked up to normal wear and tear the rest of the interior should also be falling apart, because the whole car has been subjected to the same environment and that is not falling apart yet. I am one person, with one voice maybe other Mazda owners who were denied eligibility to have this instrument panel replaced, will also complain and something can happen to fix this manufacturer problem. As this is not a part that should have passed quality control. Date is approximate as it occurred gradually over time and did not become noticeable until late last year.

- Bangor, MI, USA

problem #7

May 082020

MAZDA3

  • 38,000 miles

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

I purchased a 2013 Mazda 3 in March or 2020 with about 35000miles. About two months later I put down my back seats for the first time and noticed the middle seat buckle was fringed and looked cut about a half of inch in. It could not retract due to the buckle snagging on the cut. It is November 2020 and I have now descoveres that this same thing has happened to the driver and front passenger buckles as well. I rarely have anyone in my back seat, maybe twice since the purchase, so the buckles are not frequently used. I think something is cutting the belt causing the buckles to stop retracting- rendering them useless. My car has 49000miles now. I discovered all of the belts while stationary. But the drivers one would not retract causing me to look for it.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #6

Oct 012019

MAZDA3

  • miles
Lighting:when applying breaks, headlights flicker. Windshield: Leaks. Adhesive expanded, causing seal to break. Water pours in on dash from side during bad weather conditions or car wash. Adhesive also expanded on gauge panel, causing display window to lift. Was this way when purchased. Did not notice headlights and window seal at time of purchase.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

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problem #5

Sep 132017

MAZDA3

  • 30,000 miles
The headlights flicker when braking or in parked. Drivers seat wobbles/rocks/shifts while driving making it dangerous.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

problem #4

Nov 222017

MAZDA3

  • 87,000 miles

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

PCM does not regulate alternator output correctly causing the headlights to flash/strobe and horn tone to fluctuate while braking in motion. The headlights flashing could lead other drivers to believe you are signaling them, and lack of power to horn reduces the audibility and may not be heard by other drivers. Dealership/Mazda is aware of the issue and has provided a "software update" to fix the issue, but has not issued a recall, thus requiring consumers to pay $60-$100 usd for the update if out of warranty. On November 22th 2017 I was approaching an intersection and was braking coming to the red light when a vehicle on a side street waved at me and pulled out in front of me I used my horn of which fluctuated with power, I was able to avoid the crash but it was a close call. I suspect the other vehicle thought my flashing headlights were signaling them to "go ahead". I believe this needs to be a recall as this issue has the potential to cause serious injury or loss of life.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #3

Aug 302014

MAZDA3

  • miles
Rear seat belts not secured. Rust and corrosion at door openings. Rear trunk lift - local dealer never has the part to fix it as required in recall.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #2

Jun 292016

MAZDA3

  • 20,000 miles
When breaking my headlights flicker on and off. It only occurs when breaking. Second issue: When backing up from reverse gear and putting car into drive the transmission hesitates to engage and the car surges forward like it is not in gear. It will also make a metal on metal sound when foot is not on the brake pedal. Third issue: At 55 mph the vehicle shakes. Dealer said they cannot duplicate it but it happens always at 55mph.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1

Apr 272016

MAZDA3

  • 38,350 miles
On April 27, 2016 I noticed a gap between the screen or my information display and the upper portion of the dashboard. I asked my local body shop if it was related to something else they had just taken care of; the owner looked into it, spoke to dome local dealerships, and told me it's a known problem with Mazda dashboards but they won't fix it. I don't know what electrical components could potentially be affected if moisture, dust, etc. Enter the gap, and I also don't know if this is continuing to separate. What's the end point" what if part of the dashboard collapses while I'm driving" Mazda isn't talking.

- Azusa, CA, USA

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