There are 50 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2010 Mazda Mazda3in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
See attached document for complaint.
The dashboard is melting more and more everyday. Its becoming sticky and very reflective. Sometimes whenever I am driving in the morning the sun will reflect off and blind me making it very hard to safely operate my vehicle.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR PLASTIC ON THE DASHBOARD WAS DEGRADING, CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO BECOME REFLECTIVE AND PRODUCING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPAIRED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
STICKY DASH ISSUE, THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2010 MAZDA3 HAS BEEN MELTING FOR AGES. IT CAUSES GLARE WHEN DRIVING OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD MELTED, CAUSING A GLARE WHILE DRIVING IN SUN LIGHT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR WHICH THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
DASHBOARD MATERIAL BEGAN TO MELT CAUSING SHINY REFLECTION IN WINDOW. UNSAFE AND NOT ABLE TO 'CLEAN ' I HAD TO INSTALL A DASHBOARD COVER TO STOP THE REFLECTION ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER OWNERS OF SAME CAR REPORT SAME ISSUE SO IT MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW BY MANUFACTURERS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL YET. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT IT COULD HAVE OCCURRED HAD I NOT RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND PROACTIVELY PREVENTED IT. *TR
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND LIGHT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD IMPAIRING MY DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SAFELY DRIVE AT TIMES NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. MAZDA SAID THEY WON'T REPLACE IT.
I AM CURRENTLY THE OWNER OF A 2010 MAZDA 3. MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED BY ME 7 MONTHS AGO HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. I HAVE GONE TO A MAZDA DEALER REGARDING A RECALL FOR THE DASHBOARD AND WAS DECLINED, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AS I EXPERIENCE A GLARE BOUNCING OFF THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING AND ONLY GETS WORSE UNDER THE FLORIDA SUN.UPON FURTHER INQUIRIES ON THE INTERNET THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RECALL HOWEVER MAZDA DEALERS ARE NOT ABIDING BY THE RECALL AND REFUSE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE.
THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MELTED INTO THE CONSISTENCY OF LIQUID TAR.IT IS STICKY AND VERY SHINNING CAUSING BLINDING GLARE. I TOOK IT TO THE LODI MAZDA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED 1 MONTH AGO AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THIS FOR FREE. I CALLED THE COOPERATE OFFICE WHO SAID THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT HEAT RESISTANT. HOW IRONIC THAT THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR 1 MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ME 1200 DOLLARS TO REPAIR.SINCE THIS WAS THERE FAULT FOR INSTALLING A NOT HEAT RESISTANT DASH THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT AT ANYTIME FOR FREE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW WITH THE GLARE THE MELTED DASH CAUSES.
MY MAZDA 3 2010 HAS ABOUT 3 RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO DO THE RECALLS SINCE LAST YEAR, BUT DUE TO MY SCHEDULE, I CANNOT MAKE IT DURING THE WEEKDAYS. NOW THIS MONTH, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RECALL LETTERS, I FOUND OUT I SHOULD DO THE RECALLS VERY SOON, BUT I HAD HARD TIME TO GET DAY OFF DURING THE WEEKDAYS, SO I WAS ASKING THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE ME FOR WEEKENDS. BUT THEY REFUSED. I KNOW THIS IS A FREE SERVICE, BUT HOW CAN THEY ONLY GIVE US SCHEDULE FOR WEEKDAYS AND REFUSE TO DO THE WORK FOR WEEKENDS. THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY. I DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR OFTEN, BUT I STILL WANT THIS TO BE DONE. I THINK IT IS WRONG THAT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE RECALLS SERVICE. I DON'T THINK THEY WILL REFUSE THE SERVICE THAT PAY THEM MONEY. VERY BAD EXPERIENCE! I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MONITOR THIS. BECAUSE THEY REFUSING THE WEEKENDS SERVICE, A LOT PEOPLE MAY HOLD OFF THEIR RECALLS JUST LIKE ME, WHICH MAY CAUSE PROBLEM FOR THE ROAD SAFETY. THE NAME OF THE DEALERSHIP IS: MARTIN MAZDA ADDRESS: 289 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711 PHONE:(302) 738-5200
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that overtime the dashboard had become glossy and sticky due to excessive heat. The contact also stated that on sunny days, the sun would reflect off the glossy surface and would obstruct her vision while driving. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and they informed her that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was informed that unless she had received a notification that her vehicle was under recall or warranty, no assistance could be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
DASH IS MELTING AND I HAVE VERY POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO A LOT OF GLARE REFLECTION. *TR
DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT CANNOT WITHSTAND EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT, RESULTING IN THE DASHBOARD MELTING, EMITTING A NOXIOUS SMELL AND TAKING ON A REFLECTIVE QUALITY. WHEN THE DASHBOARD BECOMES REFLECTIVE, DRIVERS TRYING TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO SEE PAST THE IMAGE OF THE DASHBOARD IN THE WINDSHIELD. MAZDA FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS TIMELY RE: THE DEFECT. WHEN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS WERE FILED, MAZDA WAS FORCED TO TAKE ACTION. THEY OFFERED A LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTY TO FIX THE "COSMETIC ISSUE" THAT RESULTED. HOWEVER, BRIGHT LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE MELTED DASHBOARD IS TEMPORARILY BLINDING, CAUSING A HARSH GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSCURING VISION, PUTTING THE DRIVER AND OTHERS AT RISK. IN ADDITION, MAZDA IS FAILING TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY DATE, STATING THAT IT IS THE CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN SERVICE WITHIN A TIMELY MANNER. UPON CONTACT OF MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE, THERE IS NO RECORD OF ME EVEN OWNING THE VEHICLE AND MY VIN NUMBER IS STILL LISTED UNTIL THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FROM 7 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A SINGLE NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE IN 2012. OFFICIAL START DATE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTING IS UNKNOWN, HOWEVER HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. UPON CONTACT OF THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS ISSUE, I WAS NOTIFIED I WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY WINDOW AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. *TR
THE DASH ON MY VEHICLE HAS MELTED AND BECOME SHINY AND HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND MAZDA HAS "EXTENDED" THE WARRANTY ON THE DASH, HOWEVER SINCE MY CAR HAS A "BRANDED TITLE" FROM HAIL DAMAGE THIS EXCLUDES MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE ISSUE IS OUTSIDE THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES AND IS LISTED ON THE MAZDA WEBSITE. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DASH. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SAFETY HAZARD I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL VS THEM EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO SAVE COSTS ON NOT HAVING TO REPLACE CERTAIN VEHICLES. HTTPS://INSIDEMAZDA.MAZDAUSA.COM/PRESS-RELEASE/MAZDA3-AND-MAZDA6-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-STATEMENT/ *TR
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY, A LOUD NOISE SOUNDING LIKE A GUNSHOT CAME FROM INSIDE OF MY CAR AND CAUGHT ME OF GUARDING CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS I REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, I SAW PIECES OF UNKNOWN DEBRIS SLIDE DOWN THE BACK OF MY REAR WINDOW. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME. I CONTINUED HOME SINCE IT WAS ABOUT ANOTHER 2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I INSPECTED THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED OUTWARD AND HAD SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. THE PIECES OF DEBRIS I SAW WAS IN FACT PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS. AT FIRST I THOUGH THAT SOMETHING WENT THROUGH THE GLASS BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF AN OBJECT SUCH AS A ROCK THAT PENETRATED THE GLASS. ALSO THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED OUTWARDS INDICATING THAT IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS HAPPEN ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY WITH TEMPS AROUND 84 DEGREE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH ALONG A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF RURAL ROAD. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THERE WERE NO CARS WITHIN 200+ YARDS OF MINE.
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD
OVER TIME, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO DEVELOP DEEP CRACKS. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THESE CRACKS ARE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. IT IS VERY CONCERNING, AS IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS DEFECT IN THE DASHBOARD. THESE CRACKS HAVE BECOME WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND CONSISTENTLY SPREAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA OF KNOXVILLE LOCATED AT 8814 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE TN 37923) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
RECALL 16V-644 ISSUED SEPTEMBER 6 OF 2016. NOW, 8 MONTHS LATER, THERE ARE STILL 'LIMITED' PARTS AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECALL AND I AM UNABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETED ON MY AFFECTED VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS INDICATES THAT MAZDA IS NOT RESOLVING THE RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHENEVER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED, THE DRIVER SEAT MOVED OUT OF POSITION AND SLID BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V082000 (SEATS) AND 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND THE MANUFACTURER'S NOTICE INDICATED THAT A LOANER VEHICLE WOULD BE PROVIDED; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AGAIN ALONG WITH TWO ADDITIONAL DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026