2004 Mazda Mazda3 Problems
Typical for Model
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3.
Complaints
185
Crashes
25
Fires
4
Injuries
24
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1
Worst 2004 Mazda Mazda3 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:93,386 mi
Crash-related:1
#216 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:96,281 mi
Crash-related:7
#311 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:48,985 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 17 | 1 | — | 93,386 mi | |
| Airbags | 16 | 7 | — | 96,281 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | — | — | 48,985 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 8 | — | — | 10,750 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 | — | — | 12,400 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 7 | 3 | — | 31,294 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | 1 | 92,396 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 58,671 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | — | — | 134,000 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | 1 | 55,908 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 1 | — | 48,670 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | 2 | — | 76,500 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | 2 | — | 80,200 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 | — | — | — |
Steering Defects
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,386
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,281
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,985
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,750
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
12,400
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,294
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,396
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,671
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
55,908
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,670
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,500
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,200
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2004 Mazda Mazda3
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~260,915 vehicles.
21V494000Air Bags:frontal
~260,915 affectedMazda 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.
Other Mazda Mazda3 Years
2004 Mazda Mazda3 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Mazda Mazda3 has 185 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Mazda Mazda3?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (17 complaints, avg 93,386 mi); Airbags (16 complaints, avg 96,281 mi); Automatic Transmission (11 complaints, avg 48,985 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Mazda Mazda3?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 67,776 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 include 25 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 24 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 260,915 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Mazda Mazda3?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Mazda3 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Mazda Mazda3
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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