2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 109about this part
- Share
- 16%of 686 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 109 complaints about the visibility of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3, 16% of the 686 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,000 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.
“My car's dashboard is melting creating an awful smelly chemical fume of whatever is deteriorating. Touching it results in getting molten dashboard on my fingers and there is an awful glare on the windshield when driving impairing visibility. It's been hot this summer and whatever the dashboard is made of was not built to handle heat.”
NHTSA complaint #11343464, filed 2020-08, 70,000 miles“My dashboard has been melting caused me to drive off road and almost to have accidents numerous times when the sunlight and the traffic light at night reflects on the dashboard/windshield and blinds whos driving and u cant even clean it just wish that it would be resolved before something worse happens”
NHTSA complaint #11128143, filed 2018-09, 80,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative…
- 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.
- 10198691Jun 7, 2021Some 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.
- 10198574Jun 1, 2021Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building. This may be caused by the suns reflection. If a building creates enough of a curve with…
- 10091393Mar 30, 2016This article provides hvac heater/defroster operating tips using mode selector dial. This includes the use of intermediate positions.
- 10091263Mar 30, 2016This article provides hvac heater/defroster operating tips using mode selector dial. This includes the use of intermediate positions.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 17% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 11% |
| 2018 | 16 | 15% |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% |
| 2011 | 8 | 6% |
| 2010 | 109 | 16% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3
169 complaintsOther or unknown
135 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 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