Transmission Control Module (TCM) faults are not unknown on these early Mazda 3s. Symptoms usually involve erratic shifting, a failure to select gear at all and having the car go into limp-home mode.

Mazda gets credit for helping to keep the manual transmission alive—but just barely. While Americans used to be able to get a manual in the mid-size Mazda 6 sedan, several versions of the 3 compact ...

Today’s compact-car buyer is spoiled for choice, with the Mazda 3 being a prime example. It can be had as a sedan or a hatchback, with a 2.0-liter or a 2.5-liter engine, and with either a six-speed ...