Two problems related to gas recirculation valve (egr valve) have been reported for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Mazda MAZDA3 based on all problems reported for the 2006 MAZDA3.
Car continuingly shows evap dtcs including p0443 and p0446 as well as either too rich or too lean fuel mixture and and O2 sensor issue code. Both O2 sensors were replace previously. The main concern is dangerous and has already almost caused several accidents while the issue has occurred after driving from a stopped position. The issue is, when the vehicle stops at 0 mph, the normal idling rpm speed is around 750rpm. During stops longer than a second, the car will lower the idle rpms to about 500rpm and stay until the throttle is engaged. When the throttle is engaged the vehicle hesitates and comes close to stalling. The vehicle will not power the wheels above about 1000rpms when the throttle is fully depressed and the car will hesitate until the car starts to gradually move forward. This all is happening in the intersection. As the car gets to the intersection, the car starts to pick up to about 1000 to 1500rpm and only then will the car start to fully drive forward without relation to driver's forced depression of the throttle. Basically the vehicle is defiantly not going above 1500rpm until the vehicle is a certain ways forward. This is very dangerous and I have already had very close calls with a Dodge durango, a tractor trailer, an unidentified sedan, and a Toyota prius (of all the vehicles in the world). I was almost "t-boned" by a prius. This issue is I believe to be an issue with the fuel system or engine as this issue only really occurs when it is very very humid or hot out. Usually above 80 degrees with any humidity at all. Could be a vaporlock, although somewhat unusual for a fuel injected vehicle, it isn't impossible.
My daughter was driving a 2006 Mazda 3 hatchback on willow street, long beach, CA yesterday afternoon around 4 pm, the engine suddenly stopped and she turned the car into a parking lot. She opened the hood and found out the engine was leant toward front about 45 degree. She did not go through any bumps on the road, just driving on normal streets. We checked on google and discovered the broken engine mounts have been the major cause of such kind of prolbems. Lots of complaints came from the owners who drove less than 20,000 miles. The cars with the broken engine mounts could stop at the middle of driving on the roads and cause rear-ended accidents. Nhtsa should investigate the design of the engine mounts and inform the manufacturer to replace the parts to ensure tje safety of the vehicles and the drivers.