2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3, 6% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2004 Mazda 3 often stalls while I'm driving on the freeway, I took it to dealer and they are not able to re-create the problem and they won't fix it. I think Mazda corporation has to do something about it cause it is a known issue to many Mazda 3 out there and it always scare me whenever my car stalls on the freeway as it is very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10225544, filed 2008-04, 43,232 miles“I had my mechanic working on replacing a burnt out license plate light when he discovered that the tail lights were not working. He turned the lights off and back on, and the tail lights started working again, turned the lights back off and on again, and the tail lights were back to not working again. He identified the fuse box to be the cause of this issue, as when the tail lights were out, he would hit the fuse box which would then cause the lights to come back on, and he demonstrated this for me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637210, filed 2014-09, 120,000 miles“Issue: all electrical components along with power steering shutting off intermittently while driving. The first instance of this issue happened while turning into a parking lot. As I was making a right turn all the electrical components in my vehicle shut off, along with the power steering. About a second later everything came back on and operating normally. This same issue would happen intermittently, usually when making right turns. There was never enough of a pattern to say that it was happening every week or month, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509611, filed 2013-04, 120,000 miles“Electrical system failure vehicle, Mazda 3 manual, was returned to dealer after airbag recall maintenance was performed. Vehicle's electrical system suffered from many complaints. Service dealership stated that a loose ground wire at one of the fuse panels was the fault. Vehicle's electrical system ran as promised for months until both low-beam headlamps blew at the same time. The dealership has been notified and action will take place. I have experienced several electrical faults in the vehicle and assume many more are to come. Safety was severely compromised. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138301, filed 2005-10, 34,981 miles“The interior lights around the air conditioner controls were not on, thought it was a short or a blown fuse, planned on checking once returning home that night. However was pulled over by local police dept and told I didn't have any tail lights. Checked all fuses right then, all fuses were good. Drove home with emergency flashers on to avoid being hit. Took the car to the mechanic the next day they checked all fuses and found the fuses were good but found the rear tail lights had blown. …”
NHTSA complaint #10455710, filed 2012-04Related service bulletins
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative…
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10217209Jul 18, 2022In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- 10215274Jun 22, 2022This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10209778Mar 17, 2022The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use…
- 10205994Dec 21, 2021Battery Maintenance: This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged…
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188015Feb 8, 2021The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 42% |
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 5 | 21% |
| 2021 | 7 | 13% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 30 | 27% |
| 2017 | 20 | 24% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 24 | 18% |
| 2014 | 27 | 20% |
| 2013 | 32 | 27% |
| 2012 | 25 | 11% |
| 2011 | 15 | 11% |
| 2010 | 50 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% |
| 2007 | 19 | 9% |
| 2006 | 21 | 13% |
| 2005 | 17 | 18% |
| 2004 | 8 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
28 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTires
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology