Model year record

2004 Mazda MAZDA3

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 185 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V494000

Air bags: frontal

Component: Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Vehicles affected: 260,915
Reported to NHTSA: 2021-07-01
Owners notified: 2021-08-28

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V468000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component: Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected: 42,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-09-24
Owners notified: 2004-10-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Steering	17	82,000 mi
Air bags	16	85,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	11	50,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	8	300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	8	1,100 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	7	15,000 mi
Electrical system	7	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	7	54,826 mi
Exterior lighting	7	120,000 mi
Power train	7	25,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	7	40,000 mi
Tires	6	3,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	5	96,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	15,000 mi
Engine	4	55,650 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	100 mi
Power train: manual transmission	4	533 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	1,100 mi
Seat belts	3	59,646 mi
Structure: body	3	130,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	2	19,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	1,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	5,450 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump	2	27,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	105,000 mi
Parking brake	2	65,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	2	49,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	200 mi
Structure	2	100,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	2	21,400 mi
Wheels	2	59,237 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	1	15,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	43,232 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	16,034 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	16,034 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	40 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	25,000 mi
Equipment	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	34,981 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Seats	1	90,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	2,700 mi
Steering: column	1	3,189 mi
Steering: linkages	1	12,600 mi
Structure: body: door	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	137,671 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	59,151 mi
Suspension	1	—
Suspension: front	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	3,189 mi
Tires: bead	1	2,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	1	2,100 mi
Visibility	1	100,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	—

The 2005 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.