2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 17%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3, 17% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Automatic transmission/manual jerks when going from 1st to 2nd gear and after a period of hard driving the jerking stops. This should not occur in a quality vehicle like this one, however it shouldn't occur at all. Please provide me a solution to this annoying problem. Fyi: I have had the transmission flushed and new fluid added however the problem still remains..help!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10226383, filed 2008-05, 5,500 miles“When driving on the highway, the transmission of my 2004 Mazda 3 with only 84,000km died as it lost the ability to reach 3rd and 4th gear. This incident nearly cost me my life yet Mazda canada would do nothing about it. What kind of company can not stand behind their product after such a near-fatal incident. Suffice to say that Mazda will never get my business again. $3,200 later, I'm still alive no thanks to Mazda.”
NHTSA complaint #10350851, filed 2010-08, 59,500 miles“The car is a Mazda 3 2004 with 18000 miles. I bought my wife this Mazda 3 in may of 2005. With 16000 miles. The car was running great and it is a pleasure to drive. 3 days ago I started to hear a noise when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Sound is like a clicking sound that you made when you put your baseball cards on your bicycle tire. To make a long story short, the transmission is being replaced under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10137863, filed 2005-09, 18,150 miles“I went to a dealership on may 2, 2004 and purchased a 2004 Mazda 3. It had 16 miles on it. Drove fine for a week! On may 9th, my familiy and I were driving and the car would not change gears. Would not go in reverse. We slowly made it home in 1st gear. The dealership picked it up on monday may 10th and has said it is the transmission. The full transmission is being replaced at 250 miles. It has been there for 4 days now. I have no idea when it will be repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10072576, filed 2004-05, 250 miles“2004 Mazda 3, brought brand new from dealer. Had rear brake problems, was fixed due to bad equipment/metal used for rotors or that was what I was told. Warranty covered. Now I am at just under 50,000 miles and my clutch needs replaced, cause they said I burned it up. Not covered by warranty. I told them over a year ago, that it whined/screeched when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, but only when it was cold. Told they couldn't find anything wrong, just warm the vehicle up first. Now a smell something burning and they keep saying it was my fault. …”
NHTSA complaint #10221569, filed 2008-03, 49,750 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 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…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
- 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…
- 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…
- 10136777Apr 2, 2018Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF. Using the wrong ATF may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the transmission…
- 10097348Mar 11, 2013Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf. Using the wrong atf may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the…
- 10097367Mar 4, 2013Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf. Using the wrong atf may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the…
- 10024309Feb 11, 2008Multi-model - engine stalls when driving at low speed.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 5% |
| 2013 | 18 | 15% |
| 2012 | 40 | 18% |
| 2011 | 12 | 9% |
| 2010 | 40 | 6% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 24 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
28 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 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 29, 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