2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 13%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3, 13% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine was cold. I entered the car, started the engine, shifted into reverse and the engine accelerated uncontrollably, screaming. I could not stop the car with full braking and shut off engine. I restarted and it worked normally. This also happen about a year ago and the dealer could find nothing wrong. Help!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10713976, filed 2015-05, 101,231 miles“Car was in park and would not start. Placed in neutral and it started right up. Happened one other time too. That time I repositioned the car to park(took it out of park and put it back in park) and it started right up. Upon talking to a mechanic I was told it was the neutral safety switch that is faulty and should be replaced as this problem will only get worse with time. I purchased this car used 2 yrs ago from a dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10639239, filed 2014-09, 68,502 miles“My car idles really rough. Once I get close to freeway speed my car constantly shifts gears from 3 to 4 to 3, so on. This causes my car to jerk, it revs from 3,000 to 1,000 and eveything in between. During this my brakes become practically useless, I have to completely press the brake pedal to make it decelerate. And braking distances are drastically increased. It further worries me that I dont have any dash lights on such as check engine, transmission, ABS, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10871105, filed 2016-05, 116,600 miles“I first noticed that my clutch was not coming back all the way after changing gears. I was able to use the top of my foot to lift the clutch up without difficulty and it would pop back up. I immediately called the Mazda dealership which, I was currently about 2 miles from. I explained what happened and they said to make an appointment in the morning. I drove home about 3 miles. The next day I called to make an appointment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10423149, filed 2011-09, 41,640 miles“I was driving along and suddenly a loud noise, the check engine light came on and the car shifted from 4th to 3rd without losing speed (except from me taking my foot off of the gas when hearing the noise) all at the same time. My mechanic said the diagnostic machine pointed to the turbine speed sensor , so this was replaced within 2 days. The same day I got the car back, I drove it about 30 miles and it did the same thing again. Now my mechanic is checking into the transmission, possibly causing the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10655100, filed 2014-11, 95,000 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…
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 2006 Mazda MAZDA3
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTires
14 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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