2004 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
185 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 30/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 37,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2004 sits among all Mazda3 years
What owners report
“After 200 miles i noticed an excessive amount of brake dust accumulating on the rear wheels. The rear brake rotor surfaces are worn extremely uneven with multiple grooves. This type and amount of wear is what i would expect after 10,000 miles not 200. The front brake rotors are hardly worn at all…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Mazda3
“Involved in a head on collison on april 18 2005 air bags did not deploy have called and emails mazda about this and they will not help me. The car was in the shop prior to the accident for the air bag lights flashing. I was traving at 25 to 30mph and the other car ( there fault ) was going about…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Mazda3
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 130 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 59,646 miles. Half of those reports fall between 18,150 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500…
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…
Fix: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Technical service bulletins
248 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2004 Mazda3 TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The 2004 Mazda Mazda3 drew 185 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 30/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).
What are the most common 2004 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 are brakes & stability (33 complaints), airbags (30), and transmission & drivetrain (24).
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda Mazda3 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2004 Mazda Mazda3 problems around 59,646 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 18,150 and 100,000 miles.
Does the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Mazda Mazda3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.