The Lemon Index2004 Mazda3.
The 2004 Mazda3 is about average by owner complaints: 59 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 88, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 23 to 27 mpg combined. The best Mazda3 year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 145 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mazda3 year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 96K miles on the car (111 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 17K–118K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 0K–46K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 3K–77K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2021
During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
- equipment 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- airbags 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mazda3 told dealers about
Mazda3 sent dealers 249 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front axle clicking noise
- Wds transmission id
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–2800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I have notify by the repair shop said the rear brake pad is not good Fit with the brake socket, it have a loose space, and it created some noise I can't concentrate on driving.
2004 Mazda3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10211795
More owner reports
The vehicle hydroplaned and had a head on collision with trees. Back and side doors were dented into the car and windows shattered. The air bag did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10104961
Rear brakes worn out. Front brakes have more than 3/4 inch left on them. Rotors show excessive wear grooving and pitting.
NHTSA complaint 10164080
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Mazda3 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 88; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda3 year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2004 Mazda3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (42%), airbags (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda3 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Mazda3 get?
23 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 96,000 miles. The middle report was at 59,200 miles, from 111 complaints.
Does the 2004 Mazda3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Mazda3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Mazda3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda3 year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works