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Mazda MAZDASPEED3Model year report

2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,257miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. The part named most often is seats, with 18 complaints (56% of the total), followed by body and structure (5) and other or unknown (4). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 19% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,257 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seats complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hatchback/liftgate and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Seats: “Driving along a city street, with my 2 1/2 year old in the vehicle, and the left side of the driver seat bracket broke. I have had this happen before in a previous Mazda before, a 2003 protege5. In attached photo, the bracket on the middle-right should be welded on to the bar-section in the middle-left.”

NHTSA complaint #10893671, filed 2016-08, 73,640 miles

Body and structure: “The entire dashboard of my 2010 mazda3 is melting! The majority of it has melted into a thick tar like substance; the rest of it has become very soft, with a sticky thick glue like texture. I took the car to the Mazda dealership and they said they have seen a few of these melting dashboards but I would have to contact Mazda & it probably would not be covered. A couple of days ago I noticed that the tar like pool of goo has started a slow thick black drip of liquid dashboard streaming towards one of the vents. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598130, filed 2014-06, 50,000 miles

Other or unknown: “My dashboard has been melting now for the past 2 years. It is getting worse. I live in florida. This is an obvious defect from Mazda and they refuse to replace. The melting dashboard causes extreme glare on sunny days. Enough to affect visibility out the front windshield. Since it is literally cooking I am concerned that there are health hazards and toxins associated with it melting. This situation is hazardous and a recall needs to be enforced asap.”

NHTSA complaint #10765326, filed 2015-09, 50,000 miles

Air bags: “Blinking air bag indicator light shortly after Mazda service recall for seat replacement. Mazda dealer refused to diagnose the issue which later found to be loose connector under the seat. Connector was unclipped during assembly of new vehicle bracket and not reinstalled properly. Owner also had u0100 code pending no PCM comm. Referred to ws manual found out loose wire from air bag could've been the problem, but later found moisture under steering column. Led to finding leaking brake master cylinder onto engine firewall PCM main harness connection/plug. …”

NHTSA complaint #11196097, filed 2019-04, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

19% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 80,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2519%25–5045%50–7523%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,257 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201220132014201592016201720182019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Speed 3 FWD2.3L 4-cyl6-speed manual182521$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 28 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MAZDASPEED3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012621,5501—21—Not enough data
2011540,6112—21—Not enough data
20103266,2572—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20083347,8021—20Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20073811,7002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MAZDASPEED3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 is reported most often?

Seats is named most often, in 18 complaints (56% of the total), followed by body and structure with 5.

Has the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (Speed 3, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,257 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 80,000 miles; 19% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.