2006 Mazda MAZDA3 power train problems
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 — 13% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Typically but not only when travelling at high speed, the automatic transmission of my 2003 mazda 3 shifts down from the 4th to the 3rd gear. This causes the car to jerk violently and the controls to illuminate including check engine, no traction and at. My mechanic could not find a cause of this…”
filed Sep 9, 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda 3. While driving, the vehicle downshifted into third gear and the transmission indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The…”
filed Sep 6, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
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…
SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2026
Power Train problems in other MAZDA3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 MAZDA3 | 2 | 9% |
| 2021 MAZDA3 | 3 | 6% |
| 2020 MAZDA3 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 MAZDA3 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 MAZDA3 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 MAZDA3 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 MAZDA3 | 9 | 9% |
| 2015 MAZDA3 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 MAZDA3 | 7 | 5% |
| 2013 MAZDA3 | 18 | 15% |
| 2012 MAZDA3 | 40 | 18% |
| 2011 MAZDA3 | 12 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.