Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 8 | 11% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 16 | 15% | 19,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% | 21,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% | 173,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% | 33,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 108 | 16% | 59,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% | 43,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 52,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The driver-side sun visor has suffered an internal mechanical failure where the internal plastic tension components have cracked under normal use. As a direct result, the sun visor will not stay up and randomly drops down completely unprompted while the vehicle is in motion. This creates an immediate, sudden, and dangerous visibility hazard by blocking my forward view of the road while driving.Mazda has formally recognized this specific engineering defect across 2019-2025 Mazda 3 vehicles in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) MC-11016209-0001, explicitly stating that the internal stay components crack. However, because Mazda has only issued a TSB and not a safety recall, out-of-warranty owners are forced to pay out-of-pocket to repair a component critical to safe driving visibility. …
I was driving about 30 MPH or slower in a light rain on a city street when my vehicle said that the front radar failed/unable to function, all safety systems are now disabled. This lasted for about 3-4 minutes and then it started to function again but only for 2 minutes and then it gave the same message and disabled all my safety systems while again. It started to function again as I pulled into my driveway which is why I was unable to get a photo. I have had multiple ongoing problems with lane departure warning and with the windshield wiper sensor and the doors and trunk locking and unlocking. I think the entire electrical system is defective and most of the problems come from the front radar but there are so many problems with the electronics that I this this vehicle is a lemon. The lane-keep assist is so bad it has almost made me crash on 3 separate occasions so I have disabled it.
The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the windshield wipers had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, Tire-Rama, where the windshield wiper switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V272000 (VISIBILITY); and referred the customer to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the owner that the vehicle was not covered under the recall because the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
My car has a faulty Front Body Power Module, a known issue with these cars, but Mazda keeps saying my model is not in the bracket for recalls, they say it's manufactured a day after the cutoff for the recall, so they won't give me recall repair. My windshield wipers aren't working and it's pouring rain, so this is a HUGE danger. I can't afford the $1500+ repair and don't think it's right this is a known issue for this car model and because mine is supposedly 1 day late I don't qualify for the recall care. They expect me to go to a dealership and pay more money for a diagnostic for something that is an issue, and then I have to call corporate again and they'll "Decide" if they'll cover my car or not.
Intermittent faulty display (or no display) from rear-view camera as described in Recall 23V-487. Recall was issued in July 2023, but as of August 27, 2024, the parts to fix the recall issue are still not available and Mazda customer service has no idea when the parts will be available. In my view, this is not a timely resolution of the problem.
2017 Mazda 3 grand touring hatchback driving on a road going 30 MPH and hear what sounded like a muffled gunshot right above me. I saw that I had glass raining down the back of my car, emptying onto the street and causing cars to swerve to avoid the glass. That was when I realized that my sunroof just exploded. I pulled over and saw that the sunroof was shattered with splinters of glass everywhere. I noticed that the sunroof bursted outward, as if nothing fell on it. There was nothing above me or beside me at the time of the explosion. The f-150 in front of me was going the same speed 5 car-lengths in front of me. The pieces of glass that fell behind my car left many scratches on the roof and spoiler of my car. The road I was driving on had rolling dips at an incline, but nothing like a jolting bump or pothole-like bump. …
The windshield wipers work but the washer does not squirt the windshield washing fluid out and it the reservoir is full of fluid but there are certain days in which I need that to work because my visibility is greatly reduced which has made the risk of accident that much greater. it says there is a recall pertaining to this problem and the fix was a relay However nothing comes up for my specific car when I enter the Vin but I would like this problem fixed and I'm not sure how to go about it
When driving any time the sun is out, reflections from the dash against the inside of the windshield are very pronounced and can significantly effect visibility. I have been driving for more than 50 years and I know all cars have the phenomenon on occasion. Unfortunately this Mazda 3 restricts vision as I have described every day the sun is out for 90% of the driving time. It is more than a distraction, I believe it is a hazard and accidents will occur because of it.
Related recalls (3)
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured from January 7, 2008, through November 28, 2008. The ground terminal of the windshield wiper motor May have been inadvertently bent during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the wiper motor free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before July 15, 2011.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda3 years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (108), 2018 (16), 2008 (15), 2012 (9) and 2011 (8) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda3 window & wiper problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 19V-558 (glass, side/rear, Jul 29, 2019); 19V-272 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 4, 2019); 11V-329 (motor, Jun 15, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda3 window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (11 mentions), followed by the power window devices and controls (3).
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.