Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's friend owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while riding in the front passenger's seat, there was an abnormal booming sound heard. After exiting the vehicle, the driver and passenger opened the hood and noticed that the engine had fallen. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
TCM has failed to communicate in engine. Car doesn't not shift properly or has hard shifts if it is able to get back into gear. Car may experience AT engagement making it hard to steer and control vehicle. Can happen in the middle of driving. Independent service Auto mechanic shop Vehicle has no warning lights indicating failure until hard shift when driving 50miles per hour and engine would no longer speed up AT light then came on. Once parked for two days check engine light came on and vehicle no longer would shift into gear.
Within a week after purchasing my 2010 Mazda 3 s sport sedan in October, 2018 from a used car dealer in midvale, ut, the check engine light came on. Using a code reader, I consistently get a code of p0421, which indicates that the catalyst efficiency is below threshold. I have had 3 auto repair shops look at my car, and they all say that the catalytic converter is not operating properly and needs to be replaced. Despite the fact that Mazda warrants california emissions/pzev vehicles (which mine is) for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles on all emissions related components, they will not repair my car under warranty because I currently do not live in a state that uses ca emissions standards when testing vehicle emissions. …
Has I was driving my car home from work. Driving about 35mph I started to loose power and then the at, engine, TCS/dsc lights all came on. When I made it home I let it sit. While I looked into the issue on google later that evening I went back to see if my car was still having the issue. I placed the car in reverse and my car jumped/ jerked real hard. As I let go of the break I noticed my car didn't slowly move on its own like prior. I actually had to press the gas down quite a bit. My car revved up to 3 making a loud noise. The car had no power would hardly move. As I researched the problems and light issues it was kinda a surprise how easy it was to figure out what the issue was. Since this is a very very common issue found with the Mazda cars. …
Drove 80 miles to destination on freeway using cruise control. Car accelerated above cruise setting on downhill - did not engine brake to hold speed. When pulling into destination hotel parking spot and with right foot on brake, engine revved dramatically. Applied both feet to break. Automatic transmission. Changed gears to n, r & p, but engine continued to rev. Turned engine off. Smoke generated from engine entered cabin. Did not use car until next day. Returning home next day used cruise control and exited freeway for break. Slowing down for stop light with car ahead and foot on brake when engine revved again as before. Shifted car into neutral and turned off car then back on. Drove car to dealer on way home without another incident. This dealer is where we purchased the care and all work except tires/alignment and battery occurred. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shut off and the power steering and oil indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to be steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was inspected by an mechanic, but no failure was found. The contact was referred to compass motors (200 dolson ave, middletown, ny 10940, [phone]), but they refused to assist. The contact stated that the service manager yelled at her while she was attempting to schedule a service appointment. The contact called the manufacturer who then contacted the dealer. The dealer claimed to have done nothing wrong and promised to have the owner of the dealer call her back. The contact had not received a call back and traded in the vehicle because she was too scared to drive the old vehicle. The failure mileage was 8,220. …
There is a recall applicable to my vehicle which requires that engine mounts be stablilzed. It makes my car vibrate and the engine sounds loud while seated in the vehicle. I have taken my car to a couple of dealers and they say they don't have the required part. I was scared to drive my car.because it was smoking from under the hood. I let it sit in my garage since 2008. I finally took it to a mechanic who told me that the engine had caused a hole in the coolant tank and it was leaking coolant. That's why it overheated. The car runs fine now, but needs to have the engine mount put in. What do I do now? In addition, my driver side window will not operate. I thought this was a fuse issue, but another Mazda 3 owner told me they have the same issue
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission failed. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and began to switch gears involuntarily. The contact stopped the vehicle and opened the hood latch. Aaa was contacted and towed the vehicle to the contact's residence. Aaa diagnosed that the motor mount May have fractured within the vehicle. Jim ellis Mazda atlanta (5855 peachtree blvd, atlanta, georgia 30341, [phone]) was made aware of the failure and requested that the vehicle be brought in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.
On two separate occasion that were several months apart from one another, my vehicle has shut off while I have been driving. On both occasions I did not touch the key in the ignition in any way. There were no bumps or drastic changes in the driving conditions. The steering on the vehicle locked up and I had to hurry to get it start again. Both incidents I was actively driving on city streets. I was on a 45 MPH road the first time and a 35 MPH road the second time. I have no idea what caused the issue but it has happened twice for no apparent reason at all. The last time that it occurred, I was just completing a turn.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled causing him to loose control of his steering wheel and was also unable to apply the brakes. He then crashed into a mailbox and the side of a mountain. A police was filed. The driver was not injured after the crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was also contacted and informed him that they were aware of the failure in prior years, but not of the 2010 models. The failure mileage was approximately 6100. Updated 03/03/11
Engine complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, 5% of the model year's 686 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Mazda Mazda3 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda Mazda3 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.