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2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 is seats, typically around 71,000 miles. It has 5.3 times the complaints of a typical Mazdaspeed3 model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Owner complaints
32
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
28
Worst area
Seats

The worst 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Seats
    18
  • Body
    5
  • Airbags
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Engine
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Seats
    18
  • Body
    5
  • Airbags
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

SeatsReported February 9, 2017 · 173,859 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.
Risk
If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.

Recall number 17V082000 · Recall details

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgateReported September 6, 2016 · 580,455 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Risk
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

Recall number 16V644000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 28

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 28 bulletins for the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

What 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 30, 2019 · Body, Engine · 139,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda 3. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle would stall for two seconds before independently restarting. The contact also mentioned that the dashboard was sticky. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer provided case number: 12396366785. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Apr 14, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 60,000 miles · WA

Blinking air bag indicator light shortly after mazda service recall for seat replacement. Mazda dealer refused to diagnose the issue which later found to be loose connector under the seat. Connector was unclipped during assembly of new vehicle bracket and not reinstalled properly. Owner also had u0100 code pending no PCM comm. Referred to ws manual found out loose wire from air bag could've been the problem, but later found moisture under steering column. Led to finding leaking brake master cylinder onto engine firewall PCM main harness connection/plug. This caused corrosion, poor contact with ground wiring, and vehicle electrical "gremlins". Such as hatchback door indicating 'open' on display upon start with no cause. Restarting vehicle solved that.. Intermittent tcs/dsc flashlight light driving under 10mph in parking lot. Owner also had transmission problems @ 400 miles. 1st and 2nd gear synchro replaced. Later turbo @ 15k miles and again at 40k. Dealerships inexperienced with handling ms3. Might as well have gone to ford since mazda dealers were of no help given "convenience" in mileage. Bad strut bearings at 50k, new struts and shocks at 35k. Engine mount rear at 10k miles. The other 2 mounts failed, driver side and passenger. Passenger mount leaked hydraulic oil on to serpentine belt and pulley tensioner. Come on! When the engine mounts failed, the engine tilted backwards, cracking exhaust, causing misfire and burning up at least 1 ignition coil. I could keep going..

Filed Sep 2, 2018 · Lights · 49,500 miles · FL

Water intermittently leaks into passenger side headlight.

Filed Aug 16, 2017 · Airbags, Suspension · 63,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda 3. While driving 70 MPH, the driver side curtain air bag inadvertently deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained a minor bruise to the ribs. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (fairway mazda of savannah 10101 abercorn street, savannah, ga, 31406), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent out an engineer who determined that the vehicle had front passenger side suspension damagae, which caused the air bag deployment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2017 · Seats · 71,000 miles · PA

While driving, the swing arm which attaches the adjustment bar under the driver seat cushion to the left seat slider broke. The seat rocks freely approximately 1 foot, making the seatbelt useless and the car could not be driven safely. I had to remove the seat and re-weld the swing arm. The dealer solution would be a complete seat replacement costing $900. Mileage: 71000

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Seats · 84,000 miles · WV

Drivers side seat became loose. When sitting down in the car a loud cluck was heard and the front driver seat moved backward. Upon inspection the weld holding the seat to the bracket had snapped. Car was stationary at the time been rendered un-drivable due to the movement in the seat.

Filed Jan 18, 2017 · Seats · 71,000 miles · CA

Drivers side seat broke at welded attachment point to adjuster rail. My son's driver seat was rocking, I thought that the locking washer had fallen off and went to replace, when I removered the side cover I discovered that the bracket that attached the seat to the adjuster frame had broken. Search the web and discovered that this was a common issue with the mazda 3. When to dealer and discovered that I had to replace the whole subframe which cost $300 for the part and $300 for the labor to install it. Mazda needs to do a recall and fix this issue before someone gets hurt and also reimburse everyone who had to replace the poorly constructed part

Filed Oct 21, 2016 · Seats · 112,000 miles · OH

I was driving my 2010 mazdaspeed 3 on 10/20/2016. Driving home from work I suddenly realized while accelerating it was like sitting in a rocking chair. After being able to check it later that night I looked up under the seat and the brace that holds the seat frame to the seat track has completely sheered off on the left hand side. The right side is still in tact... For now. Reading online it seems the dealerships are wanted around $700 to replace this. I don't feel as though I should be responsible for such a high bill on a huge safety concern. If I get into an accident what's to keep my seat from completely launching and impaling me into the steering wheel. Mazda please step up and take care of this problem. To make an added note, my seat has had a slight rock in it for from what I can remember being at least 2-3 years now. Talk to someone about it when I first noticed it and they say that's normal and do nothing about it. So, clearly if this is normal for mazda, then there is going to be a lot more problems coming out of the woodwork.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Seats · 75,000 miles · CA

When accelerating from stop or making turns on the street or on a curved highway, my driver's seat reclines back from the base of the seat approximately 3-4 inches. It's been repaired (washer and nuts replaced) several times over the past 3 years. Took it in today (10/17/2016) and was told that I needed a new seat track assembly ($500.00 parts and labor). There are numerous complaints for this model vehicle about the same situation for their 2010 mazda 3 and mazdaspeed 3.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Fuel system · 60,300 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda speed 3. While driving 10 MPH, there was a screeching noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the noise sounded like two pieces of metal scraping against each other. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank internal baffle was detached and was rubbing against the inside of the fuel tank. The contact was concerned that the failure could spark a flame inside the fuel tank. The manufacturer was not notified and no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 60,300.

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Questions about the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

Is the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 reliable?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, 5.3 times a typical Mazdaspeed3 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3?

Seats, with 18 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles. Next is body (5).

How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have?

2 recalls, covering seats and structure.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 seats?

Yes, 1 recall: 17V082000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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