2010 Mazda 3 Sport

The 2010 Mazda 3 Sport is a compact car known for its sporty handling, fuel efficiency, and attractive design. The Mazda 3 Sport came with a couple of different engine options. One option is a 2.0L inline-4 engine producing approximately 148 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque. Another engine option is a 2.5L inline-4 engine producing approximately 167 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. Both engines could be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. Owners generally appreciate the Mazda 3’s responsive steering and nimble feel. Some common complaints include road noise, and some reliability issues, especially in older models.

Engine

2.0L Inline-4

• Engine Mount Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Excessive engine vibration felt in the cabin, particularly at idle or during acceleration. Can lead to premature wear on other components.
  • Solution: Replace the failing engine mounts. Often the front and passenger side mounts are the most prone to failure.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found

2.5L Inline-4

• Purge Control Valve Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Check Engine light illumination. Difficult to fill gas tank. Poor idle.
  • Solution: Replace the purge control valve.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

5-Speed Automatic

• Harsh Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough or jerky gear changes, especially between 1st and 2nd gear. Hesitation when accelerating.
  • Solution: Fluid change may temporarily alleviate symptoms. In more severe cases, valve body replacement or full transmission rebuild/replacement may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (fluid change) - $2,500+ (rebuild/replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking noise from the rear suspension, especially when going over bumps. Poor handling and rear-end instability. Premature tire wear.
  • Solution: Replace the worn trailing arm bushings.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• TPMS Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light illuminates despite proper tire inflation. Faulty sensor readings.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty TPMS sensor(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150 per sensor
  • Recalls: None Found
• Clock Spring Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Airbag light illuminated, horn not working, radio controls not working.
  • Solution: Replace the clock spring assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200-$400+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Rust on Rear Wheel Arches/Quarter Panels
  • Description/Symptoms: Rust bubbles or visible rust forming on the rear wheel arches, particularly along the seams. More prevalent in areas with harsh winters and road salt usage.
  • Solution: Rust repair, including cutting out affected metal, welding in new panels, and repainting.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+ (depending on severity)
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Sun Visor Sagging/Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Sun visors that do not stay in the upright position and constantly sag down, obstructing the driver’s view.
  • Solution: Replace the sun visors.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150 per visor
  • Recalls: None Found

In summary, the 2010 Mazda 3 Sport, while praised for its driving dynamics, can experience several issues related to its engine, transmission, suspension, electrical systems, and body. While some issues like engine mount failure and TPMS sensor issues are relatively inexpensive to address, problems such as transmission issues and rust repair can be more costly and impact the long-term ownership experience. It’s important to have a pre-purchase inspection done to identify potential problems before buying a used 2010 Mazda 3 Sport.