Mazda MAZDA3 harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical · ME

While driving to work, the dashboard displayed “Charging system malfunction, pull over.” The driver pulled over safely. The vehicle has electric power steering, so a loss of charging power while driving could reduce steering assist and cause the vehicle to stall in traffic. This happened three days after a Mazda dealer replaced the front passenger-side lower control arm. That part had failed at 111,777 miles, causing clunking under braking and making the car unsafe to drive (previously reported to the federal safety agency). This is the second safety-related failure on this vehicle in two weeks. The vehicle is again off the road pending dealer diagnosis. Reported to Mazda Customer Experience, case #00503860.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Suspension · ME

Vehicle: 2021 Mazda Mazda3 VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 111,777 Date the problem started: [date you first heard the clunk] Location: [town], [XXX] Crash / fire / injury / death: No Was the vehicle moving? Yes Component: Suspension: Front (Lower Control Arm) Description: The front passenger-side lower control arm on my 2021 Mazda3 failed at 111,777 miles. The car began clunking loudly when braking and while driving. My mechanic inspected the car on a lift, identified the lower control arm as the source, and told me the car was not safe to drive. He suspects a failed or defective part. A bolt hole near the rear control arm mount was also found empty, with rust on the threads. The lower control arm holds the front wheel in place and carries the load under braking and steering. A failure like this could cause loss of steering control. The car has been off the road since the failure. I live in [XXX], where roads are heavily salted in winter. Mazda has issued earlier recalls on other models for corrosion in the front lower control arms that could let the ball joints separate. I’m concerned this may be a similar issue. I reported this to Mazda Customer Experience on October 8, 2026 (case number: [number]). The car is scheduled for diagnosis at Thompson’s, an authorized Mazda dealer in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 12, 2026 · Steering · 117,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds. The contact also stated that the steering wheel felt loose while driving at high speeds, fearing that he would lose control of the vehicle if he did not firmly grip the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they acknowledged that the heard the noise coming from the vehicle; however, they could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC

TCM has failed to communicate in engine. Car doesn’t not shift properly or has hard shifts if it is able to get back into gear. Car may experience AT engagement making it hard to steer and control vehicle. Can happen in the middle of driving. Independent service Auto mechanic shop Vehicle has no warning lights indicating failure until hard shift when driving 50miles per hour and engine would no longer speed up AT light then came on. Once parked for two days check engine light came on and vehicle no longer would shift into gear.

Filed Nov 26, 2023 · Transmission · MD

Transmission Control Module malfunction. The AT light came on and the car made a jerking motion and a clunking noise. It lost power and would not shift which is very dangerous in moving traffic. It put me at risk for getting hit by another vehicle not expecting the abrupt change in speed by my vehicle. The check engine light is now lit up. There were no warning lights before the vehicle’s transmission malfunctioned. A code came up on the vehicle when tested. U0101 lost communication with TCM. From what I have read, researched, and have been told this issue is very common for certain years of Mazda 3’s including mine.

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 Oct 13, 2020 · Suspension · 35,000 miles · CA

Control arms have started leaking where the front ball joints are and the warranty department is declining to cover any of the costs. They have been leaking since march 2020, right before my warranty expired. The dealership claimed to not have found anything wrong but that was not the case. My personal mechanic found they were leaking the week before my warranty expired and suggested I go to the dealer. The car makes a clunking noise going over speed bumps and dips. My car is only at 42k miles.

Filed Oct 8, 2020 · Airbags, Lights · VA

Passenger airbag light will go on and off with nobody in the seat. This happens randomly and not consistently. Sometimes while stationary, sometimes while driving. The dashboard has come apart from the center piece on the dash with the digital display. Car was purchased in texas in 2013, drove to maine in 2015 and driven to virginia since 2018. Progressively gotten worse rear view mirror has strange brown marks inside the mirror making it difficult to see. Owner does not smoke. Strange clunky noise from rear suspension, not consistent very random. Smooth road, bumpy road, fast or slow, the sound just randomly happens from time to time. Headlights form moisture, owner bought new headlights with mechanic install and they started to collect moisture about a year after installation. Owner of vehicle since 2013 to present. Vehicle purchased at approx 60k miles, currently approx 130k miles.

Filed Oct 7, 2020 · Suspension · TN

When driving on city streets on uneven pavement, the car emits popping and squeaks from the suspension. When getting in into a parking lot, the car produces a clunking noise that emanates from the front of the car. Also when winding and unwinding the steering while parking the car or moving slowly, again the vehicle emits clunking noises from the suspension. Today is 10/7/2020, I have purchased the vehicle from my next door neighbor who was the first owner of this car. The vehicle has been maintained regularly at the local mazda dealership and has no outstanding recalls. I took the car to the mazda dealership, they informed that there is a tsb since 2016 on this specific issue and will cost $600 to repair.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 5,000 miles · OH

My car suddenly made a big clunk noise and I was warned of a power steering malfunction. I have also been warned multiple times that due to a malfunction the 'safety systems have been disabled', another issue in having is a headlight malfunction. When the headlight malfunction occurs the digital speedometer gets very dark and I am unable to tell how fast I am going. There is no way to turn the brightness up to see the speedometer again until the error code goes away. Mazda told me I must leave my windows down when the car is in a hot climate to prevent it from overheating while not in use...I live in ohio so the weather is not extremely harsh. I've take the vehicle to the dealership multiple times and they have not fixed any of the issues. I called mazda corporate and was told 'what would you like me to do about it' I was told my issues had no remedy. The corporate call center would not put me through to anyone else for further help. I feel unsafe in my vehicle and it's not even over 8500 miles yet.