2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 169about this part
- Share
- 25%of 686 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 169 complaints about the body and structure of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3, 25% of the 686 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dashboard began getting sticky, and now it is a gooey shiny mess. There is a reflection in my windshield, and it causes a glare that decreases the visibility. The dashboard is also soft where it has not gotten so bad. I know that there are other owners with the same issue. There needs to be a recall or some other form of remedy.”
NHTSA complaint #10694380, filed 2015-03, 55,000 miles“My dashboard is melting. My car isn't even five years old and the dashboard has basically melted to a point where I have to replace it. There are issues all over about this on certain vehicles and as far as I understand Mazda will not place a recall, but says I have to pay $1500 to fix it because the glare of the melting reflects off my windshield when I drive which causes a hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10725139, filed 2015-06, 65,000 miles“Dashboard is melting creating horrible glare in line of vision occluding oncoming cars. I have pictures of how terrible the glare of the dashboard reflection is creating while driving. I feel like this is a safety hazard and someone will fail to see an oncoming car or child crossing the street due to this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10735026, filed 2015-07, 90,522 miles“My dashboard has been increasingly sticky for years now, despite all attempts to clean it. It has increased to the point of reflecting off of the dashboard and distracting me when I drive. I took it into the Mazda dealership and they informed me that the dashboard is melting. I cannot imagine the chemicals are good to breathe in.”
NHTSA complaint #10653374, filed 2014-11, 40,000 miles“The dashboard on my 2010 Mazda 3 began melting at the beginning of the year. Over time, more of the dashboard has become sticky and shiny. Sometimes the shininess is so reflective that it makes it difficult for me to see when I am driving on a sunny day. The vehicle resides in hawaii and is kept in a garage when not in use.”
NHTSA complaint #10643459, filed 2014-10, 30,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8…Covers: Mazda MAZDA3 2010–2013, CX-5 2013–2016, MAZDA5 2012–2015 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11022742Aug 22, 2025Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's…
- 11007022Aug 15, 2024Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's…
- 10243569Sep 13, 2023Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10240496Jul 6, 2023Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10225724Oct 17, 2022Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10208567Feb 10, 2022Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10182131Oct 27, 2020SSP99 - 2010 MAZDA3 - DASHBOARD UPPER PANEL STICKY SURFACE: For certain 2010 Mazda3 vehicles, the warranty coverage for dashboard replacement for sticky surface condition only is…
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10148068Oct 10, 2018When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Pocket Paint Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable). Copies of…
- 10134702Mar 22, 2018When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Pocket Paint Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable).
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 17% |
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 5 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% |
| 2013 | 11 | 9% |
| 2012 | 17 | 8% |
| 2011 | 13 | 10% |
| 2010 | 169 | 25% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 12 | 7% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3
135 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
109 complaintsSeats
106 complaintsWheels
54 complaintsElectrical system
50 complaintsTires
48 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsEngine
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 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