NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 166 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Mazda MAZDA3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3, describing incidents dated October 26, 2005 to March 1, 2024.

Most-cited components

Engine 34 complaints
Steering 28 complaints
Air Bags 27 complaints
Electrical System 21 complaints
Power Train 21 complaints
Tires 15 complaints

Of the 166 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 166 complaints, owners report 15 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11584697 · Filed April 23, 2024
There’s a recal in my current steering wheel of the 2006 Mazda 3 sedan i recently purchased
ODI #11535582 · Filed July 31, 2023
The rear driver's side trailing arm broke into two pieces.
ODI #11508457 · Filed February 22, 2023
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…

Read all 166 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Mazda MAZDA3 mileage at failure

123 of the 166 complaints on file for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–115,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Air Bag Cover Emblem May Shatter

NHTSA #21V494000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2021 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 260,915 vehicles

Repair completion: 6.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 4921G · Owners notified August 28, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS

NHTSA #09E011000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2009 · THULE, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,323 vehicles

Owners notified April 17, 2009

Defect description

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 ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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 1-800-238-2388.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2006 Mazda3 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

166 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11584697

Incident: March 1, 2024 · Filed: April 23, 2024

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

Suspension

ODI #11535582

Incident: July 30, 2023 · Filed: July 31, 2023

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

Suspension; Structure; Service Brakes

ODI #11508457

Incident: August 25, 2021 · Filed: February 22, 2023

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

Electrical System

ODI #11502890

Incident: January 1, 2023 · Filed: January 20, 2023

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11439043

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 13, 2021 · Filed: November 2, 2021

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

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11431099

Incident: August 30, 2021 · Filed: August 30, 2021

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?

Air Bags

ODI #11427674

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 6, 2021 · Filed: August 4, 2021

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11404818

Crash 1 injury

Incident: May 13, 2018 · Filed: March 25, 2021

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

Wheels; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11341336

Incident: June 25, 2020 · Filed: July 24, 2020

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11299890

Incident: January 26, 2019 · Filed: January 15, 2020

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

Other Mazda MAZDA3 model years

Check your 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda MAZDA3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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