2006 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
224 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 Mazda Mazda3, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 34/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 85,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2006 sits among all Mazda3 years
What owners report
“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”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Mazda3
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Mazda3
“Takata recall my passenger airbag light came on a few months ago. It has stayed on.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Mazda3
“Headlights continually going out. Have to replace every 6 months or approx 6,000 miles. One light goes out, then the other within a week.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Mazda3
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 164 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 75,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 35,180 and 110,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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…
Technical service bulletins
190 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2006 Mazda Mazda3. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2006 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 2006 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The 2006 Mazda Mazda3 drew 224 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 34/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).
What are the most common 2006 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 Mazda Mazda3 are engine (34 complaints), steering (29), and airbags (27).
At what mileage do 2006 Mazda Mazda3 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 Mazda Mazda3 problems around 75,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 35,180 and 110,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2006 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.