Mazda MAZDA3 Seats Problems
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA about seats problems on the Mazda MAZDA3 across 16 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (106). The words owners use most often: “driver seat” (41% of reports).
- 175seats complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $980typical repair cost reported by owners
- 15%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Driver seat: mentioned in 71 of 175 complaints (41%)
- Rocks forth: mentioned in 9 of 175 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical seats repair on the Mazda MAZDA3 at $980, and half of them between $980 and $1,450.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do seats problems happen?
Based on 133 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 175 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 14 an injury.
Mazda MAZDA3 seats complaints by model year
| Model year | Seats complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 MAZDA3 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2019 MAZDA3 | 1 | 1% | 3,000 |
| 2018 MAZDA3 | 1 | 1% | 74 |
| 2017 MAZDA3 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2016 MAZDA3 | 4 | 4% | 26,000 |
| 2015 MAZDA3 | 6 | 5% | 1,650 |
| 2014 MAZDA3 | 1 | 1% | 6,000 |
| 2013 MAZDA3 | 9 | 8% | 62,660 |
| 2012 MAZDA3 | 16 | 7% | 77,500 |
| 2011 MAZDA3 | 20 | 15% | 72,000 |
| 2010 MAZDA3 | 106 | 15% | 68,000 |
| 2009 MAZDA3 | 1 | 1% | 39,000 |
| 2007 MAZDA3 | 2 | 1% | 14,008 |
| 2006 MAZDA3 | 3 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2005 MAZDA3 | 2 | 2% | 17,396 |
| 2004 MAZDA3 | 1 | 1% | 90,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Model years: 2019
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.
Risk: Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3819F.
Seats
Model years: 2010, 2011
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. 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.
Risk: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driverâs side seat wobbled and was unsecured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the front driverâs side seat lifter link was inoperable and needed to be replaced…
The Seat Lifter on the driver's side seat frame broke, the metal has a clear stress fracture right near the bracket where the frame connects to the rail. This is the same part that was recalled in the 2010 and 2011 Models by Mazda in 2017. NHTSA Campaign No. 17V-082 It causes the driver side seat…
This vehicle is subject to recall #: 17V-082 referring to a drivers seat lifter link than can break. My car has a broken lifter link, was brought to the dealership and instead of replacing the entire seat adjuster unit like the recall states, they simply installed a reinforcement bracket. When…
Defective Driver's seat construction made by Mazda Mfg Corp. I was the first person to report this cheaply made driver's seat failure to Mazda Corp in Irvine, CA in early 2015 or 2016. Recall was finally issued a year afterwards because Mazda dragged their feet, and only after I threatened to sue…
Monday 7/10/2023 car was fine ie (the seat) next day Tues 7/11/2023 opened drivers side door couldnât believe my eyes. The driver seat had somehow migrated clear up to an inch from my chest to the steering wheel. I called Maple Shade Turnersville to make an appointment-wasnât able to get in…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mazda MAZDA3s have seats problems?
No. NHTSA has 175 owner complaints about seats for the Mazda MAZDA3. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mazda MAZDA3 seats?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list seats. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix seats problems on the Mazda MAZDA3?
Owners report a typical cost of $980 (half paid between $980 and $1,450), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about seats problems on the Mazda MAZDA3?
The most frequent phrase is “driver seat”, in 71 of 175 complaints, followed by “rocks forth” (9).
Other Mazda MAZDA3 problems
- Steering problems (393)
- Electrical System problems (366)
- Structure problems (282)
- Air Bags problems (259)
- Power Train problems (249)
- Engine problems (211)
- Service Brakes problems (197)
- Tires problems (167)
See all Mazda MAZDA3 problems.