Reliability research -- seeking more Mazda3s

It's been three months, so the results for the Mazda3 have been updated again.

Repair rates, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2004: 70, up from earlier, now about average

2005: 29, better than average

2006: 47, better than average; based on results for 2005 and 2007, actual repair rate might be a bit lower

2007: 19, better than average

2008: 25, better than average

2008.5: 105, much worse than average, thanks to an updated audio system that often needs to be replaced because of a bass issue

Additional participants would be very helpful for all years. The more there are, the better the information we can provide.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results
 
Just signed up. However, nowhere in the sign up did it ask if I had a repair performed prior to signing up. In my case, I have. Around 20K miles, had to take it in for the window motor assembly coming loose, all that was needed was the nuts to be tightened down, so nothing major. Looking forward to providing you with mileage only.
 
engine light on

I just bought a 2005 mazda3. The engine light came on for two days. I checked the fuel cap and it was ok. Need some advice. Thanks
 
Just signed up. However, nowhere in the sign up did it ask if I had a repair performed prior to signing up. In my case, I have. Around 20K miles, had to take it in for the window motor assembly coming loose, all that was needed was the nuts to be tightened down, so nothing major. Looking forward to providing you with mileage only.

Previous repairs can be posted to the site (but not included in the analysis) using a second survey:

http://www.truedelta.com/repair_histories.php
 
TrueDelta has released updated Car Reliability Survey results for the Mazda3. All model years are covered, including the 2008.5/2009.

Most model years remain better than the average. However, repair rates have been creeping up for the older model years, and the 2004 and 2006 are now on the borderline between "average" and "better than average."

The 2008.5/2009 was "worse than average" three months ago, but has improved to average. A single common problem with the revised audio system has been the source of the unexpectedly high repair rate. As long as no other common problems pop up, the repair rate for this year will continue to improve.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November, so additional participants would certainly be helpful.

TrueDelta now has a separate results page for each model. The one of the Mazda3:

Mazda Mazda3 reliability comparisons
 
We have updated results for the Mazda3 to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008.5-2009: 68, about average, common problem with the audio system

2008: 47, about average, might have some 2008.5s with the troublesome audio system in this sample

2007: 33, better than average

2006: 43, better than average

2005: 48, better than average

2004: 79, about average, and worse than earlier--less reliable once the warranty ends?

A big thanks to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information.

Mazda Mazda3 reliability comparisons
 
We have updated results for the Mazda3 to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008.5-2009: 70, about average, common problem with the audio system

2008: 55, about average, might have some 2008.5s with the troublesome audio system in this sample

2007: 29, better than average

2006: 32, better than average

2005: 55, about average

2004: 75, about average

Results now posted separately for the MS3. Slightly higher repair frequency for the 2007, about the same otherwise.

A big thanks to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information.

Mazda Mazda3 reliability comparisons
 
We have updated results for the Mazda3 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008.5-2009: 65, about average, common problem with the audio system

2008: 57, about average, might have some 2008.5s with the troublesome audio system in this sample

2007: 19, better than average

2006: 39, better than average

2005: 55, better than average

2004: 70, about average

We've also introduced two new statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

The percentage with no repairs is about 71 for the 2005, 72 for the 2006, 83 for the 2007, and 74 for the 2008, while the percentage of lemons is about 4 for the 2005, 3 for the 2006, less than one for the 2007, and 6 for the 2008. These stats require more data, so we don't yet have them for other model years.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thanks, once again, to Antoine, this forum, and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda Mazda3 reliability comparisons
 
We have updated results for the Mazda3 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2010: 6, better than average

2008.5-2009: 58, about average, common problem with the audio system

2008: 46, about average, might have some 2008.5s with the troublesome audio system in this sample

2007: 22, better than average

2006: 40, better than average

2005: 44, better than average

2004: 73, about average

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop.

The percentage with no repairs is about 68 for the 2005, 73 for the 2006, 77 for the 2007, 75 for the 2008, and 76 for the 2009, while the percentage of lemons is about 4 for the 2005, 3 for the 2006, less than one for the 2007, 6 for the 2008, and 4 for the 2009. These stats require more data, so we don't yet have them for other model years.

Nada-odds and Lemon-odds car reliability stats

A big thank you, once again, to Antoine, this forum, and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda Mazda3 reliability comparisons
 
Just enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May, with a preview for participants next month.

Car reliability research
 

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