The Lemon Index2010 Mazda3.
The 2010 Mazda3 is about average by owner complaints: 126 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 107, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 28 mpg combined. The best Mazda3 year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 686 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Mazda3 year. 2010 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 37K to 94K miles on the car (485 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 34K–65K miles
- seats complaints mostly came at 50K–100K miles
- wipers & visibility complaints mostly came at 39K–80K miles
Recalls 3
- seats 2017
In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.
- body structure 2016
On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
- electrical 2009
MAZDA IS RECALLING 25,400 MY 2010 MAZDA3 VEHICLES.
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 291 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squeak noise from the engine compartment when the vehicle starts moving and/or
- Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While servicing a 2010 Mazda3 we checked the customer's tire pressure as required by law. The valve stem snapped off when an air line was attached to inflate the tire.
2010 Mazda3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10432348
More owner reports
While checking and inflating a customer's tires the valve stem broke causing the tire to completely deflate.
NHTSA complaint 10452288
Tire pressure monitoring system sensor failed causing the tire to blowout and go flat on the highway. The stem of the sensor was corroded which caused the incident.
NHTSA complaint 10521349
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Mazda3 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 107; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda3 year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2010 Mazda3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (25%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and wheels (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda3 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Mazda3 get?
24 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,800 and 94,500 miles. The middle report was at 59,000 miles, from 485 complaints.
Does the 2010 Mazda3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Mazda3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Mazda3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Mazda3 year is better than the 2010?
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