Got the 2006 3i in mid Nov. Already put 7500 miles on it goin back n forth to work.
I read all the reports, Consumer, Edmunds about previous model years. These 2 convinced me to get 3i.
I recently, at about 7500 miles had to replace wheel bearings on the front right. I was very disturbed about this development so early in the cars life.
The service center at the dealership where I bought the car assured me it was a defective bearing that caused the problem(of course this was after telling me there was nothing wrong the first time I brought it in, and then telling me it was ok to drive it until they could locate the part). Also the car now pulls to the left a bit since the repair and I'm going to have to bring it back, yet again.
Has anyone had any issues with the reliability of the 2006 model(I know, it might be too early to tell). I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

 

The reliability for the 3 has been decent. There have been some hiccups because it is a newly released car. If its veering after the service, that is due to a dumb *** Mazda Tech. Its not the car! So do not be bothered by that.

 

you know you can buy the best car out there,..and still have a lemon,..or even one thats just alittle more problematic than the others. Sorry to hear that you had that problem,...becareful..dealerships and their techs are just like everyone else.....sometimes they don't want to get their hands dirty, and telling you it's normal gets you outta their hair for awhile...be persistant,...the squeaky wheel gets the grease,....haha no pun intended,..ya know...since yours was a bearing,..and wheel..and..well nevermind..*ahem*
Anyways,..hope that veering problem gets fixed for ya, with no other problem.

Kevin
2006 Mazda 3 GT Hatchback no problems yet.

 

Well, its july now. I'm up to 17,000 mi (since mid november).
New issue. Periodically when I start the car, it doesn't seem to fire correctly/on all cylinders. Then I get sort of a cough/knock(for want of a better description, not really a backfire) and the engine fires up and smooths out. Getting it checked at the dealer out here in jersey near where I work tomorrow. No more dealing with the nonsense at the dealer in brooklyn where I live.
Anyone have any ideas on what I should ask them to check?
To be honest, it doesn't worry me too much. The first time it happened was over a month ago when I was in Toronto, car performed fine. I even got 32.8 mpg each way for the trip.

 

Since 2004 when the Mazda 3 was first introduced, Consumer Reports and many other reviewing organizations has rated the Mazda 3 very well. So chances are the 2006 and 2007 are/going to be great models with good reliability. Working off a car that is already very reliable chances are they won't screw it up! (I hope!!)

 

i have close to 19k on my 2006 3... no problems to report...all i do is change the oil, rotate the tires and check the pressures...