Most common 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazdaspeed3 complaints by model year
Best Mazdaspeed3 years: 2011, 2012. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2010. Compare all years →
2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 recalls (2)
Seats
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to…
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5…
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.
What 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 owners say
Seats
I was driving my 2010 mazdaspeed 3 on 10/20/2016. Driving home from work I suddenly realized while accelerating it was like sitting in a rocking chair. After being able to check it later that night I looked up under the seat and the brace that holds the seat frame to the seat track has completely sheered off on the left hand side. The right side is still in tact... For now. Reading online it seems the dealerships are wanted around $700 to replace this. I don't feel as though I should be responsible for such a high bill on a huge safety concern. If I get into an accident what's to keep my seat from completely launching and impaling me into the steering wheel. Mazda please step up and take care of this problem. To make an added note, my seat has had a slight rock in it for from what I can remember being at least 2-3 years now. …
The seat height adjuster is operated by a lever on the side of the seat. The lever rotates a rod with two brackets (one on each side of the seat) which are welded to the bar on one end and pinned to the seat adjuster base. The bracket cracked at the base of the weld on the outboard side of the seat. The failure occurred while accelerating from a stop; however, I had noticed some a rattle or creaking sound from the seat for a few days before the final failure occurred. The seat is not completely loose at the front left corner. The seat has side airbags. I am concerned that they will accidentally deploy due to the excessive seat movement in a panic breaking event. Mazda has changed the part design, but the repair is not covered under a recall or extended warranty even though a defective seat is a safety issue. The only repair is to replace the seat adjuster assembly or entire seat.
Body & structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mazda 3. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle would stall for two seconds before independently restarting. The contact also mentioned that the dashboard was sticky. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer provided case number: 12396366785. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. The VIN was invalid.
The entire dashboard of my 2010 mazda3 is melting! The majority of it has melted into a thick tar like substance; the rest of it has become very soft, with a sticky thick glue like texture. I took the car to the Mazda dealership and they said they have seen a few of these melting dashboards but I would have to contact Mazda & it probably would not be covered. A couple of days ago I noticed that the tar like "pool of goo" has started a slow thick black drip of liquid dashboard streaming towards one of the vents. The glare of my "ebony oasis" on the windshield makes it very difficult & very dangerous when driving. Combine the blazing texas sun & houston traffic with that and it's beyond what anyone should have to endure to get to and from work... So I can pay for the car that's literally melting around me! …
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Dashboard is melting, the glare from it makes it hard to see traffic up ahead and is very distracting at times. Dealership said it is a comon problem with Mazda vehicles, using visors to cover the windshield does not stop the melting. Inside of the windshield is extremely streaky due to the dash melting and oils leaving residue on the windshield.
Dashboard is melting and turning into a sticky gooey mess that very glossy and creating a large amount of reflective glare. The reflective glare off the dashboard onto the windshield is so bright that it makes it difficult to see out of the windshield on bright or sunny days.
2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Mazdaspeed3 at the same age. It is one of the Mazdaspeed3 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3?
The seats — 18 complaints, 56% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (5) and windows, wipers & sunroof (3).
How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, the most recent from February 9, 2017 (seats). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazdaspeed3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008 and 2010. See the full Mazda Mazdaspeed3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 66,000 miles; 19% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.