11:06 23-10-2025

Common Mazda problems owners still face: rust, melting dashboards, and Skyactiv troubles

Mazda has earned a reputation as the “Japanese BMW”—stylish, attainable, and genuinely engaging to drive. Yet, as owners and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) note, the brand carries a handful of chronic issues that keep resurfacing from one generation to the next. Tarantas.News has compiled a list of these recurring trouble spots, and the contrast—great to drive but dogged by a few foibles—will feel familiar to many loyalists.

The most notorious headache is rust. Mazda3 and Mazda6 models from the 2000s and 2010s are especially vulnerable, with corrosion appearing on suspension components, wheel arches, and subframes. Even with galvanized bodywork, metal in salt-heavy regions can deteriorate quickly.

An equally irritating problem is the so‑called melting dashboards on 2009–2013 Mazda3 and Mazda6. Under strong sun, the plastic turned sticky and reflective, hampering visibility. Mazda responded by extending the warranty to 10 years to replace the defective parts.

The Mazda Connect infotainment system also draws complaints: system freezes, Apple CarPlay hiccups, and uncooperative voice control. On top of that, many drivers report that Skyactiv transmissions can feel sluggish, sometimes shifting with a jolt or refusing to engage cleanly from a standstill—nothing kills driving momentum faster than a hesitant gearbox.

Things aren’t flawless under the hood either. Over time, Skyactiv‑G engines can accumulate carbon deposits, leading to reduced power and triggering the P0300 code. There are also complaints about early engines with variable valve timing, where cam phasers are prone to failure.

Finally, Mazda takes heat for thin paint. The signature Soul Red may look stunning, but it scratches easily and can start to peel.

Even so, Mazda remains one of the more reliable marques, and owners acknowledge that keeping a car in top shape simply demands closer attention.