2013 Mazda MAZDA3 electrical problems

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · SC

There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. There are numerous online forum entries that speak of this issue with 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3's. I am very concerned that my headlights may stop working which could result in my death or the death of my occupants of my vehicle not to mention the other motorists on the road around me if my head lights were to eventually fail at night due to lack of proper wattage to the headlights. There are videos on you tube that show these pulsing headlights on Mazda's. I believe that headlights are important enough safety issue that their failing could result in death if the headlights completely failed due to the known fault in these vehicles over time.

Filed Jan 29, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

ABS Module suddenly start failing causing brake sinks down. Almost crashed because of it. It appears to be a very common issue but Mazda still does not recall these ABS modules made by Ford/ATE. Also, it does not show any ABS warning light, which might be why not many people have called on this as they probably thought it was normal. There is all sort of communication error codes if you read with a OBDII scanner. In fact, Ford had a recall for these ABS modules, citing "stuck or slow-responding valves due to reaction with brake fluid".

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

Tracking number 11461728 added information email from manufacture mitsubushi electric incorporated

Filed Apr 21, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

The TCM - Transmission Control Module defected - gear lights disappear, down shifting problems, driving, stop in the middle of highway or road while driving, kick / jerk when ATF lights comes on goes off then check engine lights comes on all fluids has been changed drove good for a few days started again took to advance auto parts and auto zone codes stated electrical TCM computer issues, delayed shifting, check engine and ATF lights comes on , DTC codes U1000, LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TCM. The TCM overheats because it is sitting directly on the transmission, under the battery box. My child safety was put at risk daily. This car fails to stop at a traffic light, a slow response when approaching a stop sign or traffic light is dangerous and scary. Mazda's are not safe to drive with a bad TCM, When a driver cannot anticipate the acceleration or deceleration of this vehicle or any Mazda with a TCM the situation is very dangerous. I visited Flow Mazda 04/21/2022 Fayetteville North Carolina invoice number Q10296 took the part for viewing. THE dealership informed us that no one has this part and do not know if the will ever have another shipment. we contacted salvage yards received the same answer. I have sent 8 emails stating problems to the manufacture (Mitsubishi electric company) no response thus far. This is my daughter first year in college she saved her summer money 6600.00$ and purchased this car in March 16, 2022 from Knox auto sales 107 NC-55E, Dunn NC 28334. First day we had all fluids changed. The third day she went to visit her dad 20 minute drive ATF light came on went to auto zone code warning electrical communication, purchased new battery drove car for 5 days good took car to college in Charlotte came home birthday Friday check engine light and TCM code went to church Easter Sunday almost didn't make it home. According to the you tube channels and social media this is a known failure for Mazda automobiles Why are the cars being sold?

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · VA

I have had my car since 2013 and had no problems with it until I got a new battery for my car. As soon as I got a battery my car would die every other day. I took it to many mechanics and back to the mazda dealer to see if they could fix it. The mechanics didn't know what was wrong with it and when I took it to mazda they said it was because my car door light was on, even though it never was. They claimed they fixed it and two days later my car was dead again. Every mechanic and the mazda dealer said nothing was wrong with the car and they didn't know what was happening. The vehicle sits now because I can't keep calling my insurance company every other day to come out and jump start my car for me.

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · NH

While coasting, application of the brakes will make the headlights flicker. An ecu voltage monitor registers a drop in the voltage that lasts for as long as the headlights flicker which is approximately 3 seconds. Mazda is aware of this problem and apparently a software update to the ecu will solve it. They offered this for free under the 6yr/60k mile warranty but apparently did not tell their customers.

Filed Feb 24, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 49,000 miles · UT

My headlights dim and flicker, most noticeably when applying the brakes. It was barely noticable at first. My son-in-law, who is an auto and diesel mechanic, brought it to my attention in december 2017 when he was driving it. It is getting worse and becoming more and more of a problem, making it hard to see, especially when approaching a stop at an intersection. I am not sure if the tail lights are also effected, but complaint id 11164134 reported that their's were. My experience with electrical problems causes me to worry that there is a possibility that the headlights will fail entirely, leaving me unable to see while driving at night. This is not a single incident; it always occurs everytime I drive at night, so I am putting today's date in the "when did this happen" field because I can't indicate that it is an ongoing problem. The four complaints about this same problem all indicate no injuries or fatalities; I hope there don't have to be injuries or fatalities for this to be considered serious enough to warrant a recall. Also, the speed doesn't matter, I had to put in a number so I indicated 45 MPH, but it happens on the freeway at 80 MPH as well as on city streets. There are currently 49,259 miles on the car. When I bought it it had 33,370 miles on it. Like I said, it is getting worse. It is more distracting due to more pronounced flickering and dimming of the illumination of the road.

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 108,000 miles · AZ

While driving the power steering malfunctions the radio display keep restarting and the power steering goes out, and then the vehicle powers completely down while driving. I have looked in forums and this issue has been occurring at least since 2004, and has not been fixed! Https://www.foxnews.com/us/mazda-to-recall-mazda3-and-mazda5-to-address-loss-of-power-steering there is an old article that mazda 3's have been recalled for this exact issue, but the issue apparently has actually never been fixed. See the attached document, do I need get an attorney to get this fixed since my car is 2013 and the issues are only being addressed in later models? Clearly they didn't fix the issue if newer models end up with the same issue. This needs to be recalled is extremely dangerous! I am very disappointed with this and it will keep from buying mazda ever again due the extreem neglect on this issue by mazda, it shows a huge lack of integrity.

Filed Dec 30, 2018 · Electrical · 78,600 miles · NH

Headlights and brake lights flicker when brakes are applied. My wife was stopped by a police man to inform her of these conditions.

Filed May 27, 2018 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · SC

In the past 6 months, my car battery has died 3 on separate occasions. Whether it's a cold start or I've driven somewhere and turned the car off. No restart, battery dead. Each time I've had to call a service for a jump and have taken it to a local auto parts store where tests have been performed on the battery, alternator and starter ... Nothing found wrong each time. The last time the car wouldn't start, I have push button start. Even though the battery was dead, the push button was stuck in the 'car running' position, making it impossible to be jump started. The car dealership had no clue why this happened or if it would happen again.