Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the vehicle failed to accelerate as designed with the power train warning light blinking. The vehicle also started jerking. After the vehicle accelerated, the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The Transmission Control Module (TCM) has gone out on my car, causing it to shift to 2nd gear while doing 75mph with cars around me, and would no longer shift out of 2nd gear, or into reverse. It was an extremely dangerous situation that made me come very close to wrecking into a car, as well as the many cars behind me that had to emergency brake due to my rapid deceleration, especially without and brake lights coming on because it was engine braking. Doing a simple google search show that this is an extremely well-known problem effecting almost every Mazda 3 that used this TCM in 2010-2011. Any mechanic will tell you it's a known problem, and that it was due to where and how Mazda placed the computer, which causes it to overheat and fail without warning. …
Car will stall out and restart immediately and I temporarily lose power steering when turn signal is engaged, sometimes when the wheel turns and when I disengage the e-brake. My mechanic cannot find the problem and I have read many many forums that show the same issue with the same vehicle. Happens every time I drive the car for weeks and then will disappear for a couple weeks and then come back. This happens even when I'm doing 65 on the highway!
Transmission control module issues. Car was driving on the expressway and wouldn't shift out of second gear. Engine light and AT light came on. Had to drive slowly on the expressway and get off on the closest exit. Cars were speeding past me and I had to be careful not to get hit. Research and shop shows the 2010 Mazda 3 vehicles have lots of issue with the TCM because they get hot due to there location.
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 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.
I had my Mazda 3 for a couple of days and I'm driving down the road and all of a sudden my car jerked so bad I thought I had hit the brakes or hot something I couldn't see. But I hadn't hit the brakes nor did I hit anything. I took it to Mazda in panama city and they told me it was my transmission control module. It forgets to shift. It's located under the battery and I'm aware that this part of car engine is supposed to breath to work right. I just know it doesn't work right and every time I drove my car it's steady jerking and snatching my wheel. I can't afford to pay for something like this and I have no other vehicle to drive. I know this is an engine problem so what can be done
Steering wheel, at any speed, moves slightly from side to side causing it to be crooked. Alignments and balancing has not solved the problem. The wheel is loose in steering and increasingly scary since it is slightly crooked and can be very hard to keep the car from over steering even when driving straight on a perfectly paved road. I'm afraid the steering pump is corroding. Please investigate as newer models and Mazda in Japan had a major recall for this very issue. Please do a us recall as it's definitely a safety issue and very unpredictable especially on curvy or bumpy roads.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the service transmission indicator illuminated and the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the traction control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I was driving and felt the car down shift on the highway, at light came on and some sort of traction control light came on. RPM would go crazy sometimes while this happened. When I got home and put it on park it shifted really hard tried to put it on drive and shifted hard. As well so I let it be. I heard about this happening to other mazdas as well please investigate this supposedly its a issue with the transmission control module.
Transmission complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, 6% of the model year's 686 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Mazda Mazda3 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.