2010 Mazda 3 service and repair manual — a detailed, factory-style reference for maintenance, diagnostics, and repair. Use it to confirm correct procedures, specifications, and system coverage before you start work.
Designed for technicians and DIY owners, this manual helps you diagnose issues correctly, follow proven repair steps, and use wiring diagrams and system sections to track faults faster.
What’s included
- Step-by-step repair procedures and service information
- Specifications and reference data (where provided)
- Electrical diagnostics with wiring diagrams
- Coverage across major systems: engine, transmission/driveline, brakes, steering, suspension, HVAC, and more
Trims covered
- I Touring Sedan 4-Door
- i Sedan 4-Door
- S Hatchback 4-Door
- GS Sedan 4-Door
- GT Sedan 4-Door
- GX Hatchback 4-Door
- S Sedan 4-Door
- Mazdaspeed Hatchback 4-Door
- GT Hatchback 4-Door
- GX Sedan 4-Door
- GS Hatchback 4-Door
- Grand Touring Hatchback 4-Door
Engines covered
- 2.0L 1999CC 122Cu. In. l4 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
- 2.0L 2000CC 122Cu. In. l4 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
- 2.5L 2488CC 152Cu. In. l4 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated
- 2.3L 2260CC l4 GAS DOHC Turbocharged
Index / Table of contents
- Body
- Brakes
- Chassis Electrical
- Driveline
- Engine Cooling
- Engine Electrical
- Engine Mechanical
- Engine Performance & Emission Controls
- Fuel System
- General Information & Identification
- Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning
- Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Systems
- Steering
- Suspension
- Transmission, Clutch, & Transfer Case
- Wiring Diagrams
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.
If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. 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.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
MAZDA IS RECALLING 25,400 MY 2010 MAZDA3 VEHICLES. A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE HARNESS AND THE HOUSING OF STARTER MOTOR MAY BE INSUFFICIENT. DUE TO THIS, THE COVERING OF THE HARNESS MAY BE DAMAGED THROUGH VIBRATION DURING OPERATION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT-CIRCUIT BETWEEN CERTAIN HARNESS WIRES AND THE STARTER HOUSING. A SHORT-CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION AND/OR POOR SHIFT QUALITY.
THE MAIN FUSE MAY BLOW OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND INABILITY OF RESTART, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS INSPECT AND ADD A PROTECTOR CLIP ON THE AFFECTED SECTION OF THE HARNESS. IF NECESSARY, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all ma
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarke
A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. If a structure's windows create enough of a curve, the co
When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing Radio ID and the new/replacement SAT Radio ID as soon as possible to ensure the customer leaves the dealership with an active SAT radio
Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter may be the cause. During the removal of the cabin air filter,
A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
Showing the 8 most recent of 203 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND HIT HEAD ON BY A CAR THAT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS HIT BY THE OTHER CAR MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE FRONT END OF MY CAR, FLIPPING IT INTO THE DITCH NOSE FIRST. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE HERE WRITING THIS BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS IN THE CAR DID NOT DEPLOY AND THEY MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE. OWNERS RELY ON THEIR CAR'S AIR BAG TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND A HIP I
TAKATA RECALL RELATED ACCIDENT HAPPENED 10/31/2014. THERE WAS NO AIRBAG RECALL AT THIS TIME. I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CLASSIC T-BANE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED MORE DAMAGE THAN THE FORCE OF THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 20-30 MPH AT IMPACT. I WAS UNCONCIOUS FOR APPROX 30 SECONDS TO 1MIN AND I COULDN'T REMEMBER MY ADDRESS FOR THE FIRST 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND SHOWED TO THE SCENE. I WAS UNABLE TO HEAR THE REST OF THE DAY FROM MY L EAR ( WHICH I WAS TOLD BY THE ER PROVIDER IS NORMA
THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO CARS AND ROLLED OVER AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED INCLUDING SIDE, PASSENGER AND DRIVER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT, THE AUTOMOBILE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING,RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. *TR
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON MY WAY HOME. THERE WAS NO CRASH. I PULLED OVER LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE THERE WAS ZERO DAMAGE. DROVE VEHICLE HOME CONTACTED MAZDA THEY TOLD ME TO FILE A INSURANCE CLAIM EVEN THOUGH I SENT THEM A VIDEO OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS AND DRIVERS SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RANDOMLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN MECHANIC, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO COMPASS MOTORS (200 DOLSON AVE, MIDDLETOWN, NY 10940, (844) 258-3818), BUT THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER YELLED AT HER WHILE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO THEN CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAV
EXPLODING SUNROOF. THE GLASS IN MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. A LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY GLASS SHOWERING OCCUPANTS, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. UPON REVIEW, THE GLASS APPEARED TO BLOWN UP AND OUTWARD FROM THE VEHICLE.
DRIVERS SEAT BROKE FROM FRAME RAILS. FIRST THE PLASTIC PUSH PIN SCEWS THAT ATTACHES POWER SEAT TO HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT RAILS SNAPPED, COLLAPSING ONE SIDE OF DRIVERS SEAT. THEN THE FRAME RAIL ON THAT SIDE SNAPPED INTO PIECES. WHEN TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STARTED FORWARD AND SEAT COLLAPSED ON MY LEFT SIDE, THEN I HEARD A POP AND SEAT FLIPPED BACK, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. WHEN I TOOK CAR TO MAZDA SERVICE, THE TECHS SHOWED ME DOZENS OF MAZDA CARS IN SERVICE BAYS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS GOES BACK TO 2002. MAZDA JAPAN STATES: WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BUT MAZDA SEATS ARE NOT
Showing the 8 most serious of 686 complaints filed with NHTSA.
