2015 Mazda Mazda3 Electrical System

The Infotainment System will randomly change radio stations while driving, or start scanning through the various system menus, and on at least in one case, started randomly making phone calls from a connected phone. This creates a major distraction while driving. This has been looked at by the dealership and would cost $1500 for the system repair. I understand that this is a known problem.

The Mazda Connect touch screen in the center display may not accept touch commands properly or may operate by itself (ghost touch). The ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film of the touch screen may be corroded due to moisture, which may adhere on the lens of the touch screen during the cleaning process at the plant. The corrosion may allow the electrostatic capacity to vary without any input, causing the malfunction of the touch screen.

This car's backup camera has been un-usable ~50% of the time, dating back to last year, due to the issue described in the recall. Westcott Mazda refused to inspect and certify the existence of the issue and simply said parts to fix it were unavailable. This recall was issued over 9 months ago.

Mazda call this “ghost touch” it happens when the screen starts to act up like crazy, jumping from different audio sources, Bluetooth lose connection, making unwanted phone calls. Almost like a ghost is touching the screen over and over again.

The "infotainment" system, which includes media, navigation, hands-free calling, and the backup camera function, frequently malfunctions. The system will either freeze, or it will execute button presses on its own. The result is that it will change audio selection, make hands free calls via the connected phone, etc. on its own with no driver interaction, which is distracting while driving and could and has caused hazardous driving conditions. While I am listing the most recent occurrence in this form, this has been occurring on nearly every drive for the last 2 years. This typically happens in stop-and-go traffic. The vehicle has a manual transmission and the movement in the center console caused by shifting may be causing loose electrical connections to be disturbed and contribute to the behavior.

1. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION 2. THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CUTS OFF AN ON AT WILL AND SWITCHES VIEWS WHEN USING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE YOU TO BE DISTRACTED WHEN DRIVING,ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE DRIVING IN AN UNKNOWN AREA. 3. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHICH REFUSES TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS. 4. NO WARNINGS, JUST STARTED CHANGING SCREENS ALL THE SUDDEN. MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE DRIVING DANGERS THAT THIS POSES BUT YET REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I DID DISCOVER THAT THEY DID ISSUE SOME TYPE OF NOTICE ON THIS BUT IT WAS NEVER A FORMAL WRITTEN RECALL . ONLY FIXED IF YOU TOOK IN AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM,MOST PEOPLE I WOULD THINK DID NOT DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS COST PROHIBITIVE,THAT SYSTEM COST ABOUT $1400.00 TO REPLACE. THATS NOT POCKET CHANGE FOR MOST PEOPLE.SO WITHOUT A FORMAL WRITTEN MAILED LETTER MOST PEOPLE JUST TRIED TO LIVE WITH IT .

Infotainment and phone connect system for hands free phone use is not operational. The computer for the system is in a continuous reboot loop. This puts safety or safety of others at risk as I cannot use hands free. Mazda corporate suggested that a software update of the Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) might solve the problem. I brought the car in to Smithhaven Mazda on 090722 for update. The repair technician could not update the computer software and advised customer that the possible CMU problem is cause of concern. I was then advised that resolution would be replacement of CMU at $700. Problem was first observed 082022.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM KEEPS REBOOTING IN AN INFINITE LOOP. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ISSUE STARTED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 3MINUTES PRIOR TO ISSUE. INFOTAINMENT WAS WORKING PRIOR TO BEING OFF FOR 3 MIN.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM RESTARTS 3 TO 5 TIMES, WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR, WHEN TEMPERATURES IN UNHEATED GARAGE ARE BELOW 50 DEGREES. I DRIVE FOUR TO EIGHT MILES, WITH HEATER ON, BEFORE IT STOPS RESTARTING. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. ALL THEY DO IS REBOOT IT. NOW THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I REFUSE TO TAKE IT BACK, AND BE CHANGED FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED THE FIRST TIME. THIS JUST MIGHT BE A DEAL BREAKER IN BUYING A MAZDA AS MY NEXT CAR. VERY ANNOYING.

CORROSION OF THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND BATTERY WIRING HARNESS PREVENTING CAR FROM STARTING.

ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE REMOTE COMMUNICATING WITH THE STARTER AND ALL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS ACTIVATED.

WHEN PUSHING START BUTTON ALL LIGHTS GO ON BUT CAR WON'T START. STATIONARY IN DRIVE WAY

VEHICLE NAVIGATION DISPLAY HAS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING, UNEXPECTEDLY RESTARTED. ONCE WAS LISTENING TO RADIO, RADIO DID NOT STOP BUT SYSTEM RESTARTED. OTHER TIME, WAS ON CALL, AND SYSTEM RESTARTED BUT CALL DID NOT DISCONNECT, USER ON OTHER END COULD NOT HEAR ME AND I COULD NOT HEAR THEM. WHEN SYSTEM RESTARTED, CALL CONTINUED. CALLED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE MAY BE A SYSTEM FIRMWARE UPDATE NEEDED. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN, WAS TOLD THAT NO FIRMWARE UPDATE WAS AVAILABLE, AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE ISSUE.