The AT light came on the dash, added transmission fluid because it was a little low but the light still has not gone off. I think there is an electrical problem within the transmission. It's had shifting issues since purchasing this vehicle. I also have a small child that comes with me to work and I do not want my car to catch on fire while we are in this vehicle.
Mazda MAZDA3 fire or smoke problems
24 of the 2,993 owner complaints about the Mazda MAZDA3 describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 56,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20231
- 20212
- 20191
- 20161
- 20152
- 20106
- 20081
- 20072
- 20063
- 20053
- 20042
Often reported together
Headlights 2Seat belt 1Overheating 1Oil consumption 1Fuel smell 1Fuel pump 1Knocking 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
Car began to smoke. Roof caught fire at driver's visor while occupied with 2 people. Both able to exit safely. Neighbor put out with fire extinguisher. Inspected by insurance adjuster - total loss. Dealership notified. No warning lamps or messages.
The contact's daughter had rented a 2023 Mazda Mazda 3. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle veered off to the left side of the highway and side-swiped a cable system; the vehicle then crashed into the end cap of a guardrail. The vehicle then hydroplaned and hit a bridge pillar. The vehicle flipped as the contact's daughter was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle landed on the roof in the grass next to the guardrail. The cause of the crash was unknown. The vehicle caught fire and was incinerated by the time authorities arrived on the scene. The contact's daughter was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. The guardrail, cable system, and a wooden road post were damaged due to the accident. Due to the extent of the fire, it was unknown if the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the investigators could not determine the exact cause of the crash but believed that it was likely that the contact's daughter fell asleep; the contact contests the investigator's findings. Upon his investigation, the contact discovered that owners of previous year model vehicles had reported that the air bag and seat belt pretensioners had failed to operate in the event of a crash. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak. Confirmed by Mazda Dealership. Vehicle has always had routine maintenance and remote start used to warm engine prior to driving. No warning lights appeared to alert driver prior to noticing issue- took it in because driver could smell burning oil which is a fire risk to safety of occupants while using vehicle. This type of issue is a manufacturer flaw and should be covered with recall since there are a lot of people online experiencing the exact same issue.
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle, followed by the vehicle shut down and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's son opened the hood and flames came out from under the hood. The contact son burned his fingers but did not seek medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the passenger front side tire was flat which caused the contact to veer to the shoulder. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer where the tire was inspected as the technician informed the contact that the tire was on backorder and no replacement tire was available. The vehicle then was towed back to the contact resident however was informed by the towing company that the vehicle abrupted in flames on the flatbed. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. No police report was made. no injuries were sustained. The contact is awaiting approval from the insurance adjustor on adjustments needed to be made for the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 2,509.
Tl* the contact owns a 2021 mazda mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a stand still at a parking lot, when it caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguished the fire and filed a report. The police was at the location but did not file a report. The vehicle was drivable but was towed at a tow lot. The contact called local dealer morong falmouth mazda (187 us-1 #1311, falmouth, me 04105: (207) 781-4020) and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.*dt
My vehicle felt shaky which caused me to swerve slightly causing my back passenger tire to run over a curb. After the scare it seemed to drive like normal. I only had about a 5 minute drive to work. When getting to work, after being inside a few minutes, a coworker pointed out that smoke was coming from the car. I went with a coworker to check, we opened the hood and flames were present in the front close to where the belts are. We quickly put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, and I have not touched the vehicle. This happened on 5/03/19.
The 12v power charging port started on fire. It was speaking flames when charger was plugged in to charging port. It started doing this while in motion and stationary.
On 8/5/16 the vehicle was bought into a mazda dealer for a gasoline odor & engine code # po455. It was determined that a split fuel pump retaining allowed the fuel pump to separate from the fuel tank causing gasoline to leak. Fortunately the vehicle did not catch on fire. Thank goodness. I may not have had a son today. The repair came to over $500.00. Mazda does not feel obligated to cover the full cost. In my opinion this is not a maintenance item but a definite safety defect.
Related recalls
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.
- Risk
- Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.
Recall number 19V363000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
- Risk
- Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
Recall number 14V173000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Mazda is recalling 25,400 my 2010 mazda3 vehicles. A clearance between the engine harness and the housing of starter motor may be insufficient. Due to this, the covering of the harness may be damaged through vibration during operation possibly causing a short-circuit between certain harness wires and the starter housing. A short-circuit can result in engine control malfunction and/or poor shift quality.
- Risk
- The main fuse may blow out causing the engine to stall and inability of restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will have the engine harness inspect and add a protector clip on the affected section of the harness. If necessary, the harness will be repaired. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on may 6, 2009. Owners may contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 09V126000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mazda MAZDA3 fire or smoke
Which Mazda MAZDA3 years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (6 complaints), 2005 (3 complaints) and 2006 (3 complaints).
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