2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 12%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,413miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3, 12% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,413 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am very concerned about the safety of the car that I have had since 2004 Mazda 3. On sunday, I was hit by a car at about a 20 to 30 degree angle and the impact hit my passenger door. Neither one of us was going at a speed that should have had a result in the damage that occurred. When he hit us and the car came to rest, the police and towing people discovered that the engine had snapped off its' mounting. My airbags did not deploy either. He told me that both he and the towing agent had ever seen this happen before to a car with as little damage to it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10319918, filed 2010-03, 96,000 miles“On october 2004 I bought a new 2004 Mazda 3 . After the 1st week I noticed a rotten egg smell . The dealer denies that the catalytic converter is bad and will not replace it. This smell is sickening. How can you help.”
NHTSA complaint #10141106, filed 2005-10, 40 miles“I own a 2004 Mazda 3 hatchback that I purchased new. The car has 74,000 miles on it and has been maintained faithfully by Mazda technicians. Driving home from work, the car caught fire. To reiterate, the car caught fire. Had my wife not noticed, and had we parked the car in the garage, it would have burned down the house with us in it. We managed to put the car out and took it to the Mazda dealership. The technician told us the air conditioning compressor froze and the belt caught fire from the friction; this then ignited plastic splash guards under the vehicle. All total - $1500 in damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10363507, filed 2010-11, 74,000 miles“I am writing you to seek your assistance in reviewing a complaint that I filed with Mazda, but have yet seen no resolution. On december 27, 2005 - the oil filter housing cartridge on my 2004 MAZDA3 basically fractured and all of the oil was run out of the car, and then the engine seized. My car had approximately 54,000 miles, and 5 oil changes, all with synthetic oil. I had the car towed to tom bush Mazda, where they volunteered to do some research to see if they could determine the cause, and then perhaps ask Mazda for goodwill on the car itself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10146887, filed 2006-01, 54,826 miles“The A/C on my new car does not cool the car to any comfort level.. I sweat in the heat with the AC on.it doesn't cool the car inside.I had it checked by my Mazda dealer they said it is up to the maufactuer's standards.I told them that I have difficulty accelerating with the AC on when passing at 40mph the car would not move it dragged.I had to flloor the gas pedal on a majorr interstate to move from 40-60,from too slow to too fast.I had seconds to move or get killed.the AC does not work and the service managerr told me I have too small an engine and that I should have gotten the larger…”
NHTSA complaint #10082903, filed 2004-07, 1,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10202696Oct 6, 2021Some customers may complain about high engine oil consumption. Before attempting any repairs, verify the complaint by using the guideline below to determine if an engine repair…
- 10201777Sep 24, 2021Ethanol is becoming a common additive in gasoline. Gasoline containing ethanol is likely available at your local gasoline station. Typical blends of ethanol include E10 and E85…
- 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…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10183604Nov 10, 2020Some customers may complain about high engine oil consumption. Before attempting any repairs, verify the complaint by using the guideline below to determine if an engine repair…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10169540Dec 19, 2019If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the…
- 10169537Dec 13, 2019There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service Bulletin is to inform…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 17 | 10% |
| 2005 | 19 | 20% |
| 2004 | 17 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
28 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsTires
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 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 27, 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