Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Mazda Mazda3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bag Cover Emblem May Shatter
- Summary
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
- Consequence
- Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
MAZDA/AIRBAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (145)
145 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 145 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 26 | 17.9% |
| Air bags | 25 | 17.2% |
| Power train | 24 | 16.6% |
| Steering | 19 | 13.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 11.7% |
| Tires | 9 | 6.2% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 5.5% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 5.5% |
| Structure | 8 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.4% |
How 2004 compares with other Mazda3 years
Best and worst Mazda3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 145 | 2 |
| 2005 | 97 | 2 |
| 2006 | 166 | 1 |
| 2007 | 222 | 2 |
| 2008 | 303 | 2 |
| 2009 | 115 | 3 |
| 2010 | 686 | 3 |
| 2011 | 132 | 2 |
| 2012 | 226 | 1 |
| 2013 | 117 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 2004 Mazda3 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2004 Mazda Mazda3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda Mazda3 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 21V494000 (air bag), 04V468000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
Owners filed 145 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (26), Air bags (25), Power train (24) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 2004 Mazda3 compare with other years?
Among the 2004–2013 Mazda Mazda3 model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (97) and the 2010 the most (686). The 2004 drew 145. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.