repaired · 2023 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
2006 Mazda MAZDA3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 166 owner complaints about the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 21V-494 the manufacturer reports only 6% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 23, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 has problems
166 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
28Steering1 crash/fire/injury
27Air bags11 crash/fire/injury
21Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
21Power train1 crash/fire/injury
17Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
17Engine1 crash/fire/injury
14Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
14Tires2 crash/fire/injury
12Structure
4215 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 28 | 1 |
| Air bags | 27 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 1 |
| Power train | 21 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 2 |
| Engine | 17 | 1 |
| Suspension | 14 | 2 |
| Tires | 14 | 2 |
| Structure | 12 | 2 |
| 15 other systems | 42 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2006 Mazda MAZDA3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
66kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 steering complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2under 30k miles18under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other MAZDA3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MAZDA3 median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Mazda MAZDA3 safety ratings
2006 Mazda3 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What MAZDA3 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY CAR HAS BEEN LIKE LOOSING POWER WHEN IN STUCK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT IT GAS SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. NOW WHEN I PUT GAS ON IT AND TURN IT ON IT TURNS OFF SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT MUST BE POWER STEERING PUMP GWTTING…
STARTED VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, NO POWER STEERING AVAILABLE. WENT OUT LESS THAN 2 MINUTES LATER. DROVE TO WORK AND AFTER WORK STARTED VEHICLE. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, NO POWER STEERING, AND REMAINED THAT WAY INTERMITTENTLY FOR 45 MINUTE DRIVE HOME, MOSTLY ON. VEHICLE PARKED SINCE.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND NO POWER STEERING THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS SINCE CUT ON AND OFF AGAIN WORKING. WE REPLACED THE PUMP WITH ANOTHER PUMP JUST THE OTHER DAY AND IT DOES THE SAME THING.. THIS IS NOT VERY SAFE WHEN TURNING IT WOULD KICK ON AND WORK AFTER NOT WORKING…
Own a 2006 MAZDA3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.