2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3, 2% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.
“2006 Mazda 3 driver side headlamp short-circuited resulting in electrical fire immediately after minor collision. Fire quickly started to spread damaging radiator support and fuse box. Parts replaced in body shop. Body shop said these cars tend to catch fire when colliding in that specific area.”
NHTSA complaint #10203693, filed 2007-09, 24,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Mazda 3. Every time it rained, water entered into the headlight compartment, which prevented the amount of headlight illumination. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 55,937.”
NHTSA complaint #10723472, filed 2015-06, 55,937 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10154529Mar 15, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10153332Jan 3, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10134701Mar 22, 2018Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10111041Jul 6, 2017On some vehicles, the rear combination lamp lens becomes hazy and looks white when the brake or taillight is on. Due to heat accumulated by extended brake light (E) usage, the…
- 10111011Mar 9, 2017Take caution when cleaning plastic headlight lenses. Damage can occur when using some cleaners that contain strong acid, alkaline cleanser or organic solvent. Damage caused by…
- 10213417Feb 5, 2016Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination
- 10213421Jan 25, 2016Condensation/Fog in front and rear combination lights
- 10100888Jan 25, 2016Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/tail-light) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted…
- 10097982Jan 24, 2014Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front or rear combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with a clear lens which can cause the symptom…
- 10097941Dec 21, 2012Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front or rear combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with a clear lens which can cause the symptom…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% |
| 2012 | 31 | 14% |
| 2011 | 10 | 8% |
| 2010 | 23 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 6% |
| 2004 | 8 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTires
14 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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