CarComplaints.com Notes: Issues with clutch failure might be giving 2010 MAZDA3 owners headaches, but the lack of support from Mazda is giving them migraines.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,489 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Mazda MAZDA3 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Apr 172024

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS or the ABS computer malfunction or wasn't working correctly and almost cause an accident.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #28

Feb 282024

MAZDA3

  • miles
ABS module malfunction all four wheel speed sensor not read in the same time and powersteering cut off cause by unready wheel speed check engine light ABS light and Steering Light on.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #27

Feb 192024

MAZDA3

  • miles
ABS will cause complete brake failure when it is engaged. For example, needing to stop quickly to avoid hitting another vehicle and the brakes will lose all pressure and the vehicle will not stop. Several mechanics have not been able to diagnose or fix. Immediately after the incident, there will be minimal brake pressure of about 20%, eventually it will return to normal. Must avoid applying brakes in emergency situations as it will actually be worse than attempting to steer out of it. This has happened about 6 times in 4 years. It happened the first time about 3 days after I bought the vehicle in 2019.

- Cincinnati , OH, USA

problem #26

Jul 052022

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, BREAK LIGHT STAYS ON. ABS is not working.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #25

Oct 232018

MAZDA3

  • miles
The abs (anti-lock braking system) unit module failed and no, the failing component has been replaced. The brake pedal went to the floor and almost caused an accident. Yes, the problem kept occurring, and yes, a dealer did reproduce the problem. Yes, it has been inspected by a dealer, but not the manufacturer. No, there was no warning lamps or problems prior to the failure.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #24

Jul 082021

MAZDA3

  • miles
Component: ABS Hydraulic Unit; How was safety at risk: The failure of the ABS system clearly poses a risk; Reproduced: The original ABS Hydraulic Unit has a known design flaw that causes it to fail under mild environmental conditions (see, e.g. SB-10053757-3542); Inspected: The problem has been diagnosed by an independent mechanic; Warning lights: The ABS light (and occasionally DSC and BRAKE lights as well) sometimes became illuminated.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #23

Nov 022020

MAZDA3

  • 58,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS component is rusted and broken leaving ABS not a functioning safety measure.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #22

Nov 062020

MAZDA3

  • 150,000 miles
Had my ABS and brake lights come on so I immediately looked these up in my Mazda handbook. It said to have the brakes checked right away. I took to my mechanic who has been working on my car for years and I trust him. He told me it was the dsc module and it would need to be taken to the dealer. He also told me it would be an expensive repair. I contacted my local dealer and will now be charged $150 for them to tell me the same thing my mechanic did. I did some research and found this to be a safety issue that many other Mazda owners have complained about. I think this is unfair to us that no recall has been done or that this repair is so expensive. I have taken very good car of my vehicle and now I don't have the money to pay for this expensive repair.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #21

Jun 092020

MAZDA3

  • 95,000 miles
I just bought my dtr a 2010 that has the same spongy brake problem I've read a lot about online. The pedal gives very little resistance (and there is virtually no braking) for the first 1-2" of travel, then it works and brakes normally. I tried trying to activate the ABS many times as some mentioned had "fixed" the problem for them but that made no difference. Not only did it not fix it, but it made me realize that the ABS doesn't work since at least 1 tire locked up and was skidding. So spongy brakes, no ABS, and no ABS warning light. I see many complaints about this (some say a new ABS and brake booster for $2K took care of it, but others said it didn't), and someone says there's even a tsb for it. So obviously it's a manufacturing problem, but Mazda apparently won't do anything without getting $$.

- Berea, KY, USA

problem #20

Jun 012020

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
Soft brake pedal. ABS brakes not functioning. Stability control disabled. Braking proportioning not functioning. All related to ABS module issue that Mazda is aware of but won?T recall. Severely affects the safe operation of the vehicle as the stopping power and stability are decreased when ABS unit fault occurs. Prohibitively expensive to replace and is not covered by warranty, even on low-mileage cars. Service bulletin has existed for years and needs to be elevated to recall.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #19

Jun 092019

MAZDA3

  • 73,243 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS, traction control and brake lights came and have stayed on. Told the ABS module needs replacing.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #18

Aug 012019

MAZDA3

  • 50,000 miles
The ABS, and traction control warning lights came on one day seemingly out of nowhere. There is a Mazda technical service bulletin on this problem for areas with high ambient temperatures. This problem began and was constant in the hot Washington DC summer, but has become intermittent now that winter has come. The tsb is quoted below. This really should be a safety recall versus a tsb. I appreciate your assistance in this matter. 2010 Mazda Mazda3 service brakes, hydraulic service bulletin 357659 action number: 10053757 service bulletin number: 357659 report date: Jul 17, 2013 component: Service brakes, hydraulic summary: Mazda: The ABS warning light comes on and ABS motor monitor signal fails to correspond to ABS hu/cm on/off signal and happens in area where there is high ambient temperatures and humidity. Model 2010-2011 Mazda3.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #17

Aug 132019

MAZDA3

  • 90,000 miles
For these incidents there was friends who was in my vehicle during and even witness these incidents happen while in the vehicle. On the way to work I tried to downshift on the sport mode like I usually do. But it continued to stay in 5, then all of sudden it jumped to 3 as I slow down a bit then all of sudden to 1 which made the car jerk a bit both times due to gear drop and cause the car to rev at a higher RPM. Which almost cost an accident. This is happening quite often so I had to switch to normal drive mode( D) on another occasion the ABS, traction control light would turn on after making a quick left or right turn but this happen only a few time, the only way to turn the lights off was to park somewhere safe and turn the car off and back on to remove the lights. Now it's summer time an third problem has appear, for some random reason air conditioning system is going crazy and blowing hot air instead of cold air in the crazy Texas summer heat, what's even more crazy is driver side blow extremely hot air and passenger side blow hot air but at a lower degrees. Sometime even smelling a smoky burning plastic smell. I find it extremely unsafe for a car to have problems like shifting and causing the car to lag in shifting gear properly which cause to jerk in moving traffic which can cause a accident. To add even ABS and traction control might have issues which scares me even more. Now even hot air with maybe a burning plastic smell. Car has always been check properly but these driving with these unsafe issues can cause accidents and even worst death if not check properly. Most important feature in a car is it's ability to accelerate and stop properly, without those, it becomes a dangerous object on the road.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #16

Jul 292019

MAZDA3

  • 103,667 miles
ABS and dsc has been disabled due to a faulty ABS module and the dealer does not consider this a safety issue. The repair cost is ridiculously high and this should be recalled per the amount of internet traffic alone regarding this issue. This is not a nice to have feature this is a must have as it could safe a life. I have seen reports when the whole system fails. I was told I could drive without it even thou total break failure could occur.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #15

Jun 042019

MAZDA3

  • 53,300 miles
2010 Mazda 3. in an emergency highway incident I was forced to brake and the brakes went to the floor, but I avoided a collision by swerving out of danger. After the incident, the brakes would not effectively stop the car leading me to conclude the brakes needed replacing. No warning lights came on. I took it to the dealership for repair. I was advised that the ABS module failed and eventually the brakes would fail to stop the car. The braking system has been properly maintained since the car was bought new in 2010. Further research revealed that this issue has been known by Mazda for several years and a tsb was issued. As this is a significant safety issue, a recall should have been issued since the ABS system is critical to the safe operation of a vehicle. Unfortunately, Mazda has not deemed a potential, complete failure of the braking system to be a significant enough issue to order a recall. The failure has nothing to do with driver use but is due to a faulty system as this component should typically last the life of the vehicle or at least longer than 53000 miles and limited driving.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #14

Sep 152018

MAZDA3

  • miles
ABS and traction dashboard lights stayed on. Mechanic replaced ABS sensor in front passenger wheel ($200); lights still stayed on. Told to take to Mazda. Took to annapolis Mazda, $149.50 diagnosis charge. Got call this morning $1456 to replace ABS module. No recall but lots of issues online by owners of same vehicle, same problem. Advisory bulletin released in 2013; Mazda has known about this for many years. Annapolis Mazda said part on back order with 'no effective delivery date; do not drive car, hazardous' ok, what to do then" Mazda obviously has problem, are not stocking parts to keep their car owners safe!!! ??"

- Davidsonville, MD, USA

problem #13

Mar 042018

MAZDA3

  • 123,100 miles
ABS light and traction control lights are on. It is on since March.2018 the first time I have notice this problem, I was going to work and ABS light came on and then disapeared and after a few days like that just stayed on. I took it to the Mazda dealership in jacksonville fl, and they found three different faulty codes ; one for the ABS control motor C0020 one for the dcs switch C110964-64-60 and one for the ABS control module U0415 92-48. They gave me an estimate of $1100 including labor. I think this is ridiculously high! I have purchased my car in 2016 January for $7900! why dont they cover the faulty ABS pump or parts if there was a known issue by Mazda in this models according to this website : www.tirebusiness.com/article/20161220/servicezone/161229997/new-hydraulic-unit-solves-Mazda-3-ABS-trrouble-codes

- Elkton, FL, USA

problem #12

Apr 122018

MAZDA3

  • 107,000 miles
Takata inflators. Highway traffic had come to a stop and while trying to come to a stop my brakes completely failed with the pedal pushed all the way down. The car barely slowed down and rear ended the still car in front at approximately 40 mph. Even with such a forceful impact the airbags didn't come out.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #11

Apr 122018

MAZDA3

  • 107,000 miles
The ABS module failed as I was driving causing the ABS, traction and main red brake warning light to illuminate. The owners manual states the car is not safe to drive with these indications. There is a Mazda technical service bulletin on this problem for hot humid climates (I live in merritt island, fl). The tsb is quoted below. This should be a safety recall versus a tsb. Please help! 2010 Mazda Mazda3 service brakes, hydraulic service bulletin 357659 action number: 10053757 service bulletin number: 357659 report date: Jul 17, 2013 component: Service brakes, hydraulic summary: Mazda: The ABS warning light comes on and ABS motor monitor signal fails to correspond to ABS hu/cm on/off signal and happens in area where there is high ambient temperatures and humidity. Model 2010-2011 Mazda3.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 022017

MAZDA3

  • 30,000 miles
My car has 30,000 miles on it. The steering wheel began shaking when I would brake, so I took it in to have the rotors and pads replaced. When they removed the rotors, the rotor hubs were separated from the rotors.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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