MAZDA MAZDA3 · model year

2006 MAZDA MAZDA3

224 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006MAZDAMAZDA3 carries 224 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 29 crashes, 4 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 MAZDA3 is steering with 27 filings, followed by air bags (25) and engine (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2006 MAZDA3, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

224
Complaints
29
Crashes
4
Fires
21
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

224 filings

Crashes Reported

29 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING27
AIR BAGS25
ENGINE17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
POWER TRAIN15
TIRES13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
SUSPENSION10
SERVICE BRAKES8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
STRUCTURE:BODY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4

Recalls (2)

09E01100002/04/2009

EQUIPMENT

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED AB

21V49400001/07/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.

Recent Complaints

20240423UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There’s a recal in my current steering wheel of the 2006 Mazda 3 sedan i recently purchased

20230731SUSPENSION

The rear driver's side trailing arm broke into two pieces.

20230222STRUCTURE:BODY

Im having issues with rust the car it’s getting pretty much the car it’s falling apart the under body it’s nothing but rust I’m scared of changing a tire because there’s actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it’s going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it’s falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it’s way too rust same thing with my muffler I don’t feel safe I’m My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it’s the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don’t even feel safe to change a tire

20230222SERVICE BRAKES

Im having issues with rust the car it’s getting pretty much the car it’s falling apart the under body it’s nothing but rust I’m scared of changing a tire because there’s actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it’s going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it’s falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it’s way too rust same thing with my muffler I don’t feel safe I’m My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it’s the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don’t even feel safe to change a tire

20230222SUSPENSION

Im having issues with rust the car it’s getting pretty much the car it’s falling apart the under body it’s nothing but rust I’m scared of changing a tire because there’s actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it’s going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it’s falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it’s way too rust same thing with my muffler I don’t feel safe I’m My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it’s the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don’t even feel safe to change a tire

20230120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When I take the key out of the ignition the car doesn't recognize the key is out and won't stop beeping. I can't use the key fob to lock or unlock the car. I have to use the original door key to lock and unlock or the alarm will go off. I have replace the ignition switch cylinder 2 times and it still doesnt work. There is a little bit of "play" that is keeping it from not beeping and beeping. I can take it out slowly and it will work but then it slips again and I get locked out of the car and the alarm goes off again until I use the key to manually unlock the car door.

20211102CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2006 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph when the driver-side airbag deployed without warning which resulted in the contact losing control of the vehicle. The contact was the only injured and sought medical treatment. The contact sustained bruising on the right wrist and chest. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a police lot where it was diagnosed as destroyed. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable

20210830UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This vehicle has one unrepaired recall. When I tried to make an appointment with the Mazda dealer to correct it, no recall is found after giving my VIN number. Is there any other way to have them repair it?

20210830AIR BAGS

This vehicle has one unrepaired recall. When I tried to make an appointment with the Mazda dealer to correct it, no recall is found after giving my VIN number. Is there any other way to have them repair it?

20210804CrashAIR BAGS

My 2006 Mazda was in a serious accident last month and my air bag did not inflate properly along with the warning logo a few days before the accident. My car was picked up and released to Geico yesterday for inspection from their at fault driver totalling my vehicle. It was a head on collision so the air bag is a big factor in a serious wreck. It was confirmed to have an active recall. The warning logo appeared on my dash right before the accident that caused a broken and dislocated hip resulting into two surgeries and a long recovery period.

20210325CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO OWNED A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER, WHICH FLIPPED THE VEHICLE UPSIDE DOWN AND DRAGGED THE VEHICLE FOR UNKNOWN MILES. THE CONTACT STATED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED HER SON WAS HAD HIS HAND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND LOST 4 FINGERS ON HIS LEFT HAND AND HAD A BRAIN BLEED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE FLIPPED 5 OR 6 TIMES, IT FINALLY ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN AFTER AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. *JB SKIDDING 600 FEET, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*JB*LN

20200724SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE, HAD (2), TWO BRAND NEW SET, OF TIRES FROM FIRESTONE PUT ON THIS CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD ONLY THOSE TWO SETS CAN ONLY BE PUT ON THIS MAZDA 3. THE CAR KEEP BUCKING ON EVERY STREET AND EVERY ROAD. EVERY DAY AND EVENING.

Mileage: 82,500

20200724WHEELS

I HAVE, HAD (2), TWO BRAND NEW SET, OF TIRES FROM FIRESTONE PUT ON THIS CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD ONLY THOSE TWO SETS CAN ONLY BE PUT ON THIS MAZDA 3. THE CAR KEEP BUCKING ON EVERY STREET AND EVERY ROAD. EVERY DAY AND EVENING.

Mileage: 82,500

20200724UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE, HAD (2), TWO BRAND NEW SET, OF TIRES FROM FIRESTONE PUT ON THIS CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD ONLY THOSE TWO SETS CAN ONLY BE PUT ON THIS MAZDA 3. THE CAR KEEP BUCKING ON EVERY STREET AND EVERY ROAD. EVERY DAY AND EVENING.

Mileage: 82,500

20200115AIR BAGS

LETTER EXPRESSING CONCERNS REGARDING MAZDA'S RECALL FOR TAKATA AIR BAGS. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. *JS

20190822AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, MY 2006 MAZDA IS LISTED AS ONE OF THE CARS NOTED FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE.

20190610AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT HAS STAYED ON.

Mileage: 80,000

20190608ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

DRIVING MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP AND JERK FROM TRANSMISSION GEAR ALSO ON REVERSE I RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAME OUT TO BE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE FROM LKQ USE, AND REPLACED AND THE CAR START WORKING FINE AGAIN THEN AFTER ABOUT ALMOST 2 YEARS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY AND THE AT LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALMOST HAVE AND ACCIDENTS THIS TIME.MY MECHANIC RUN A TEST WITH SAME RESULTS TCM NOT COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION. I RESEARCH THIS AND THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEM WITH TCM OUT THERE BUT I GUEST THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T COMPLAINT , THIS IS ISSUE THE MAZDA KNOW AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU AND HOPE THE MAZDA OPEN RECALL ON THE TCM. MAZDA 3 2006

Mileage: 180,000

20190516ENGINE

MY ENGINE HAS A SUDDEN BURST OF ACCELERATION. I HAVE TO ALWAYS BE READY TO DROP IT INTO NEUTRAL IT HAPPENS UPON THE CAR STARTING TO MOVE

Mileage: 91,000

20190516UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY ENGINE HAS A SUDDEN BURST OF ACCELERATION. I HAVE TO ALWAYS BE READY TO DROP IT INTO NEUTRAL IT HAPPENS UPON THE CAR STARTING TO MOVE

Mileage: 91,000

Compare 2006MAZDAMAZDA3 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
The 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 224 NHTSA complaints, 29 crashes, 4 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Yes, the 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The most-complained component for the 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3 is STEERING with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.