2004 Mazda 3 s from North America - Comments

Splash Guard replaced underneath front of car (2 times) due to plastic rubbing on car tires and "clips" coming off. Car died on me while driving after only owning it about 8 months. Service department stated that a "sensor" had to be replaced to acclimate the car to Hawaii's weather??? Have since replaced all 4 tires and rear disc brakes. Tread on tires doesn't seem to last very long and car easily hydroplanes in heavy rain going around a corner at speeds of about 40 mph. Passenger air bag warning light defective and replaced under a recall/warranty. Many electrical problems with car, A/C stopped working for no apparent reason while under warranty, had to replace entire A/C motor as the Service department stated that the motor was "frozen," as in "wouldn't move" (I live in Hawaii so cannot freeze). More recent issues with car is having the "Charging System Warning Light" come on, taking the car in and them stating that the "blower motor" (A/C issues again) needed replacement and needed a new battery. Replaced all with labor costs totaling about $1,000. Since Mazda servicing, supposedly fixed my car according to their Technician, I have had "Charging System Warning light" come on every single day since then and now the power steering turned off and it is very hard to operate the vehicle. Took car back in, treated like a lower class citizen due to the fact that my car wasn't under warranty. Sales department loaned me a car and didn't charge me anything, but had to return car next day by 11am, and Service department wouldn't loan me a car so had to be transported back to work by "courtesy" shuttle. Still without my car and they want me to pay for my own rental. My family has bought 3 Brand new cars from Mazda here in Hilo, Hawaii. 2 Mazda 3's from 2004 and a 2007 Mazda CX-7. All have had major mechanical problems, repairs exceeding $2,700. Service department keeps your car for many days if not weeks and how do they expect you to work? Pay for a rental on our own because they have bad service or are slow? Another thing, I notice is that my driver's seat squeaks and makes noise and rattles. The alignment on the vehicle seems to easily get messed up and the car tires are expensive to replace like between $180 and $230 for the 17" wheels.

I love the design and artistic quality of Mazda's hence why our family owns 3, but the reliability and mechanical quality of the vehicles have come into question. So if Mazda can just build a Toyota or Honda quality vehicle and match the Artistic integrity then I will keep coming back, but as it stands now I will NEVER own another Mazda in my life!

None all was stated already.

Wow, what an ordeal you have suffered through! I am very sorry to hear that you have had to go through so much grief. I have owned a Mazda 3i 5 door 2.3l since Feb. 2004 and have had zero, zip, zilch, absolutely nothing go wrong with it. If all goes according to plan I'm keeping this car until parts are no longer available. I wish the same for you on your next auto purchase.

I am sorry to hear all that trouble you have gone through. But tires and brakes are consumable parts and at 65,000 miles, they are not unreasonable to need replacement, unless you have had to replaced them earlier than that. The stock Goodyear RS-A is bad! If you replace them with better tires at cheaper price such as the Toyo Proxes4 or Kumho Ecsta ASX, you will find them to sell at less than $130 each. It's a matter of shopping for the best tires.

Finally, 2004 was the first year for the Mazda3, and 2007 was the first year for the CX-7. First year models do encounter more kinks in general and generate more recalls. The most extreme case was the 2000 Focus. I think you will find the subsequent years Mazda3 to be more reliable in general and definitely in the electrical components. You may find better luck owning a NON-first year model next time.

You certainly have had a run of bad luck here. I purchased my 3S Hatch in April of 2004 and have had few problems. I was zoom-zooming up an entrance ramp leaving a tailgater in the dust when the belt tensioner flew apart taking out the plastic under car pan. All covered by warranty. I have added the AEM CAI and Magnaflow exhaust and am thrilled with both the performance and reliability as well as the 32mpg Hwy mileage. The car behaves like a luxury go-cart. Maybe I just got a good one, or you got a bad one. Better luck next time!

Bought a used 2004 mazda 3 in 2007 with only 55,000 kms.

At first it was good - then in January 2008 - transmission died and needed to be replaced - I was lucky enough to have the extended warranty. Drove it until I hit 99,000 kms

Now, problem with rust, brakes and AC.

I feel your pain. I have a Mazda 3 with 55,000 miles. The transmission is shot. First they tell me it's not under warranty, then they tell me it is, then they come back a 3rd time and tell me it's not. And now I can't even get a return phone call from the corporate office. All I can say is that no car should lose a transmission at 55,000 miles and Mazda seems to be refusing to back the product they sell. My advice is DON'T EVER BUY A MAZDA.