2008 Mazda Mazda3

Above average

Owners filed 303 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 3 times.

Avoid One of the Mazda Mazda3 years to avoid: 2.5× the complaints of a typical Mazda3 year. Which Mazda Mazda3 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
40,092 milesMedian miles at failure

256 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.

Most common 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems

109 of the 303 complaints (36%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering101
803
Wheels25
101
Air Bags · airbags17
705
Tires14
101
Electrical System14
000
Visibility12
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems12
000
Engine11
000
Service Brakes · brakes10
000
Power Train · transmission9
000

2008 Mazda Mazda3 steering problems

36% of all complaints

109 of the 303 complaints are about the steering. This is what owners describe:

  • sets off warning lights on the dash28% · 30
  • loses steering assist or the wheel locks28% · 30
  • loses power20% · 22

Share of the 109 steering complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
33,000 mi
median of 98 reports
Peak year of filing
2010
70 steering complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
10 · 0 · 4
in these complaints
Recalls on the steering
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced loss of power steering assist while driving at various speed and making turn. The power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The parking brake and power steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred five times in two days.”
Owner complaint, filed Aug 7, 2020 at 90,000 miles
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda 3. While driving 5 MPH, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10v374000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired.”
Owner complaint, filed Sep 20, 2018 at 100,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2007: 2 complaints, 0 about the steering'072008: 14 complaints, 1 about the steering2009: 18 complaints, 5 about the steering'092010: 89 complaints, 70 about the steering2011: 41 complaints, 12 about the steering'112012: 21 complaints, 2 about the steering2013: 18 complaints, 1 about the steering'132014: 23 complaints, 2 about the steering2015: 18 complaints, 6 about the steering'152016: 15 complaints, 1 about the steering2017: 14 complaints, 3 about the steering'172018: 11 complaints, 1 about the steering2019: 5 complaints, 2 about the steering'192020: 9 complaints, 2 about the steering2021: 0 complaints, 0 about the steering'212022: 2 complaints, 0 about the steering2023: 1 complaints, 0 about the steering'232024: 1 complaints, 0 about the steering2025: 1 complaints, 1 about the steering'25Recall 09E011000 (equipment)Recall 10V374000 (steering)Recall 11V329000 (visibility)NHTSA investigation PE10021
All complaintsAbout the steeringRecall (red: the steering)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 2008 Mazda3 peaked in 2010, with 89 filed that year. Owners had filed 60 complaints about the steering before the first recall that covers it, 10V374000 in August 2010; 49 more have come in since. In 2025 owners filed 1 so far.

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor11V329000
Filed Jun 15, 2011103,300 vehiclesMazda Motor Corp

Defect. MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, 2008. THE GROUND TERMINAL OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY BENT DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS THEN OVER TIME THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THE MOTOR CIRCUIT MAY INCREASE UP TO A POINT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK.

Risk. THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND HARNESS ON THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System10V374000
Filed Aug 12, 2010215,000 vehiclesMazda Motor Corp

Defect. MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

Risk. POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS TYPICALLY EXPECTED, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Equipment09E011000
Filed Apr 2, 20092,323 vehiclesThule, Inc.

Defect. THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. One names the 2008 Mazda3.

Loss of Electric Power Steering AssistPreliminary evaluation PE10021Closed
Opened Jun 28, 2010Closed Nov 29, 2010Led to recall 10V374000steering

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump …

Technical service bulletins

225 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2008 Mazda3. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 65electrical system 36engine 22headlights 15steering 13body and frame 12brakes 12suspension 7
02-004-19-3574Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 23, 2019steering

Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.

02-010-18-3477Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 8, 2018steering

Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.

02-009-16-3155Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 7, 2016steering

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER MORE THAN 3° EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A FLAT ROAD.

02-009-16-3155Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 7, 2016steering

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER MORE THAN 3° EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A FLAT ROAD.

02-009-16-3155Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 7, 2016steering

Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.

02-004-14Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 4, 2014steering

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

Showing the newest 6 of 13 bulletins about the steering, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Apr 1, 2025UT

The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 2, 2024VA

There is a plastic ring on top of the gas tank that holds down the fuel pump.I filled up my tank and looked under the car afterwards,at this time I noticed gas coming out from the tank until is was flushed with the top and then stopped.I pulled out the back seat,found the inspection plate and for sure this was and did happen,now nothing could be done at the time because the inspection plat hole was smaller than the ring,the tank had to be dropped.It had to be fixed,about $600.00 later and tank filled up it was repaired.I still have the ring and pictures where the ring was cracked around the threads.send me a e-mail address and I can send pictures and a copy of the bill.later on I went on line and discovered that I was not the only one.This happen about 2 years back.

Power Train
Filed Nov 10, 2023UT

Transmission control module.

Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 2022TX

Drivers side lower control arm failed at the lower ball joint mounting hole, allowing the ball joint to separate from the arm. All vehicle steering and control was lost due to the failure. This failure: 1. Has extreme danger for traffic fatalities. 2. Suggests substandard materials, design, or manufacturing. Control arm manufacturer: DLZ Sold by: partsgoing Vendor: Amazon.com

Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 28, 2022AZ

2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.

Steering
Filed Aug 7, 202090,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED AND MAKING TURN. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE PARKING BRAKE AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES IN TWO DAYS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE POWER STEERING, HOWEVER THE REPAIR HAD NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND IT WAS A ONE-TIME FREE FIX AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2020176 milesNC

MY MAZDA3 DIES WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF WHAT IS GOING ON (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WHEN IT DOES, I WAIT FOR A WHILE AND IT WILL START BACK UP AGAIN! MY SHOP AND I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING WE CAN, BUT WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT IS DOING THAT! I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY SAID IT WAS RECALLED FOR POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND FIXED IN 2010 BUT TO US IT SOUNDS IT IS THAT ISSUE CAUSING IT TO STOP WHILE IN MOTION! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE!! NO CAR SHOULD STOP IN MOTION FROM NOWHERE! THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT!

Air Bags
Filed Jul 29, 2020110,000 milesVA

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.....LOST POWER STEERING AT ONLY 110,000 MILES...ABS BREAK SYSTEM NOT WORKING

Power Train
Filed Jul 14, 202095,700 milesPA

AT AND YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS IN LIMP MODE FIRST THING IN MORNING AFTER HAVING NO ISSUES WITH MY MAZDA PREVIOUSLY. CODES CAME BACK WITH SOLENOIDS A, B, C, D, E ALL HAVE ELECTRICAL FAILURE, AND ISSUES WITH THE OXYGEN SENSOR. MY CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON IT. NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE BEFOREHAND. HAPPENED INSTANTLY OVERNIGHT. TCM IS NOT IN STOCK ANYWHERE AND I SUSPECT THAT IS THE CULPRIT DUE TO OTHER MAZDA OWNERS SIMILAR SITUATIONS. 95K MILES.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2020180,000 milesIL

BRAKES BECAME SPONGY AFTER HARD BRAKING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH. AFTERWARD, SPORADICALLY, BRAKES WOULD REQUIRE SEVERAL PUMPS OF THE PEDAL TO BUILD ENOUGH HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I'M REPORTING THIS INCIDENT NOW AFTER LEARNING ABOUT FORD RECALL 19S54, NHTSA IDENTIFIER 19V904. BRAKE PARTS ON THIS CAR WERE MADE BY FOMOCO. ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT, P/N BVSN-43-7AZD, WAS REPLACED BY MAZDA DEALER TO CORRECT PROBLEM AT A COST OF $1200.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 24, 2020200,000 milesAL

THE CAR HIT A BANK THEN WENT AIRBORNE AND CAME TO TO A TREE AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED THE CAR ALSO HIT A ROAD SIGN AND IT WAS BEING DRIVING DOWN ROAD

Steering
Filed Feb 22, 2020117,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I COMPLETELY LOST MY POWER STEERING GOING ABOUT 55 MPH, WE LIVE IN A VERY RURAL CURVEY AREA. AT OTHER TIMES I HAVE BEEN GOING IN REVERSE OR DRIVING AND MY CAR WOULD SHAKE AND JUST SHUT OFF! THIS.WOULD HAPPEN WOULD TURNING ONTO.THE ROAD OR GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD INSTANTLY START BACK UP OR I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR IN A SAFE AREA (IF POSSIBLE) AND WAIT. I HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD AND 8 YEAR OLD SON HAVING A RELIABLE CAR IS EXTREME PRIORITY FOR US, I'M SO SCARED OF MY CAR. WE DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT WHEN IT SHUT OFF AND THE MECHANIC COULDNT FIND ANYTHING NOTICEABLE. HE SAID I WOULD BASICALLY HAVE TO JUST START REPLACING PARTS AND SEE WHICH PART FIXES THE PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed Feb 13, 2020135,000 milesGA

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKS, PULLS, STOPS AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES RUNNING TIME. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. HE SAID THIS MODEL IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING THEM FAIL. THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER WITH MAZDA WITH NO LEAD TIME, WHICH ALSO SAYS SOMETHING. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. MECHANIC SAID THE ORIGINAL DESIGN HAS BAD PLACEMENT WHICH CAUSES THEM TO HEAT UP AND FAIL.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 30, 2020OH

WHEN MY USED 2008 MAZDA 3 CAR IS PARKED OVER A DAY OF MORE WITHOUT BEING PLUGGED TO A CHARGER IT WILL NOT START. NOTHING WILL WORK EVEN THE REMOTE TO OPEN THE DOOR. NOTE THE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WITH HIS PROBLEM. CHECK THE WEB FOR THIS PROBLEM. I SPENT $870.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED TO NO AVAIL.

Steering
Filed Dec 30, 2019146,770 milesWA

POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING

Steering
Filed Nov 7, 2019161,000 milesID

LOSS OF STEERING, IMMEDIATELY FIXED ITSELF BUT WITH STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ON DASH. VEHICLE IN MOTION. LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 18, 2019FL

WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MY 2008 MAZDA 3 SHIFTS DOWN FROM THE 5TH TO THE 3RD GEAR. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTROLS TO ILLUMINATE INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE, NO TRACTION AND AT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE OF THIS, AND HE SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION BY CHANGING THE FILTER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ONE MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE SPEED SENSOR ANOTHER THE TRANSMISSIONS COMPUTER I HAVE SPEND ABOUT 1,800 AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS VERY SCARY FOR MY KIDS AND MYSELF WHILE DRIVING AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER CAR. WHAT IS THE PROBLEMS WITH MAZDA WITH MY CAR? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP?! ALSO ALL THE ELECTRICAL STOP WORKING ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, ANOTHER THING IS THE STEERING WHEELS PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING A TURN IT REALLY TIME FOREVER AND IT IS REALLY SLOW AND HEAVY.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 201966,400 milesDC

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 REPEATED MAJOR SERVICE REPAIR ATTEMPTS RELATED TO THE TCM, PCM AT LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE PERMANENTLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WHEN EXPERIENCING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA OR BUY BACK THIS VEHICLE. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE FACED WITH THESE KINDS OF CONCERNS. THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES HAS NOT BEEN FAVORABLE IN MY VIEW AND WILL HAVING A MAJOR DETERMING EFFECT IN FUTURE CAR PURCHASE. BRAND LOYALTY. [BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...] 4-3-2019 AT 9:27AM

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 28, 2019115,000 milesKS

THE BRAKES NORMALLY FUNCTION CORRECTLY EXCEPT FOR WHEN, AND FOR SOME TIME AFTER THE ABS ACTIVATES. AFTER THE ABS ACTIVATES YOU MUST PUSH THE BRAKE PETAL NEARLY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. USUALLY, THE BRAKES SEEM TO "RESET" AFTER 3 OR 4 HARD BRAKING ATTEMPTS.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 28, 2018102,000 milesOH

THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE HAS SOFT BRAKES THAT WHEN ENGAGED, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TO APROX. 1 INCH FROM THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES ONLY SLIGHTLY ENGAGE, HOWEVER, IF NEEDED THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKING ABILITY IS HINDERED WHEN HARD STOPPING. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, AND THE BRAKE LINES BLED HOPING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. YET, FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS SHOW THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 4, 2018137,750 milesFL

SINCE THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC MOMENTS WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE PERTAINING TO IT'S ELECTRICAL/TRANSMISSION FUNCTIONALITY. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEEDS (EX. 50MPH) THE MAZDA WOULD BUCKLE, REV ABNORMALLY, ALL WHILE MY GEAR INDICATOR WOULD FLICKER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND CONTINUE ON FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE ABOUT EVERY 20 MINUTE INTERVAL. THIS IS QUITE UNSAFE, AND THE REPAIRS THAT MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING MAZDA THEMSELVES SUGGESTED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE DID NOT ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING UNFORTUNATELY. REPAIRMEN FLUSHED AND REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, REPLACED MY OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR, CHANGED OUT MY SHIFT SOLENOIDS, GEAR SHIFTER, AND EVEN REPLACED MY ENTIRE PCM. I HAVE NOT ONLY TAKEN PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF THESE HORRID INCIDENCES, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER INSTANCES OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE WITH THEIR MAZDA'S AS WELL. IF THERE IS A WAY TO SHOW MY VIDEO EXAMPLES FOR STUDY, THEN I WILL GLADLY SEND THEM.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 3, 2018134,091 milesAZ

#1 AIR BAG WARNING DASH LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2+ YEARS. THERE IS NO MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND I INITIALLY BELIEVED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. #2 BRAKES: VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AND COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY INSPECTED ON 6 NOV 2018. I ASKED THE SHOP TO CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR ABNORMAL PRESSURE. I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT MAINTAINING A FIRM PEDAL PUSH WHILE DRIVING, BUT AT FIRST FELT FIRM THEN SOFTENED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I RETURNED TO THE AUTO SERVICE TO POINT THIS OUT AND THE REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDED NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT AND EARLIER WHILE THEY DROVE IT AROUND THEIR FACILITY IT FELT FINE, THEREFORE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE LIKE THIS. TODAY IS 3 DECEMBER AND IT IS STILL A MUSHY BRAKE.

Steering
Filed Sep 20, 2018100,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 25, 2018163,000 milesCT

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS. DISCOVERED THAT THE SOCKET TO THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS MELTED WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BULB. AFTER REPLACING THE SOCKET THE LIGHT WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THERE SEEMED TO BE A POOR CONNECTION AND I WOULD HAVE TO ADJUST THE WIRING LEADING TO THE BULB UNTIL I GOT A GOOD CONNECTION. THIS CONNECTION WAS EASILY LOST HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. TRIED ANOTHER REPLACEMENT SOCKET AND THIS ONE WORKS MUCH BETTER. ALSO DISCOVERED A MELTED SOCKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT ALONG WITH A MELTED LIGHT HOUSING. DESPITE THE LIGHT NOT WORKING IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE IT. WHILE THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS CURRENTLY WORKING, IT TOO SEEMS TO BE OVER HEATING. THE SOCKET IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AND THE LIGHT HOUSING IS ALSO MELTED.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 4, 2018190,000 milesMO

THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TOO FAR BEFORE ENGAGING. I'VE HAD THE BRAKE FLUID REPLACED AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED AGAIN. THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE SHOWS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS ACTUATOR. THERE'S APPEARS TO BE A FAULT THAT ALLOWS PRESSURE TO BLEED PAST THE VALVES IN THE ACTUATOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS STOPPING DISTANCE IS AFFECTED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 3, 2018104,000 milesWA

I WAS DRIVING ON A 30 MPH ROAD NEAR MY APARTMENT AND WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE WHILE MOVING, THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY MAZDA 3. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS NOT GOING FAST AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP WITH JUST THE HAND BRAKE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 104,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THERE WERE NO LIT UP INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD AND NO WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. BASED ON MY TRIP TO TWO MECHANICS AND THE DEALERSHIP, THE ABS UNIT FAILED AND ALLOWED AIR INTO THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY FLAW THAT I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD PAY IN FULL TO REMEDY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM IN MAZDA CARS FROM ABOUT 2004 TO 2016 BASED ON MY RESEARCH. I FOUND MULTIPLE OTHER SOURCES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 27, 2018FL

THE TAILLIGHTS INTERNAL RED HOUSING IS MELTING ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES AND MAKING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR VISIBILITY. THIS INTERNAL RED HOUSING OR FIXTURE SURROUNDS THE BRAKE/LIGHT BULB. THIS IS A HATCHBACK AND I HAVE SEEN OTHER MAZDA 3 HATCHES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS ISSUE EVEN OTHER MAZDAS IN THIS YEAR RANGE THAT I HAVE SEEN/READ ONLINE

Unknown or Other
Filed May 28, 201825 milesIL

TAKATA INFLATORS AIR CONDITION NEVER WORKED WELL. REPLACED ALL PARTS OF AIR, EACH YEAR AIR STOPS BLOWING COOL OR COLD AIR. SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Mar 16, 2018HI

2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RED FILM MELTED DUE TO THE LIGHT DUE TO THE LIGHT BULB HEAT. THAT MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*JS

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 201865,663 milesAZ

BREAK PEDAL MOVEMENT NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE BRAKES INCREASED DRAMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. ACTIVATION OF BRAKES REQUIRES BRAKE PEDAL TO BE CLOSE TO THE FLOOR OF THE PEDAL COMPARTMENT. BY "CLOSE" I MEAN WITH 2-3 INCHES. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. AFTER THE INCREASED TRAVEL OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLIED, THE BRAKES DO ACTIVATE TO SLOW AND STOP THE CAR BUT TEND TO MORE QUICKLY ACTUATE BRAKES WHICH THEN REQUIRE INCREASED PEDAL PRESSURE TO STOP MOTION OF THE CAR. THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM ACTUATION AND MAKES CONTROLLING BREAK PEDAL PRESSURE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS THIS MIGHT PRESENT A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THIS OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2018. THE CAR WILL IN BE FACTORY DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP ON FEB. 22, 2018.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 7, 201790,000 milesNJ

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO REASON

Engine
Filed Nov 2, 201797,841 milesNY

JULY 11, 2011. 34443 MILES. CONSTANT RUNNING OF ELECTRIC RADIATOR FAN WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING CAUSED BY COMPLETE FAILURE OF OEM WATER PUMP. UNIT REPLACED BY ANOTHER OEM WATER PUMP. NOVEMBER 01, 2017. 97841 MILES. COMPLETE FAILURE OF SECOND OEM WATER PUMP. UNIT REPLACED BY A THIRD OEM WATER PUMP.

Steering
Filed Oct 3, 201790,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE VERY SLOWLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2010 BY STAR MAZDA IN GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA FOR THE SAME FAILURE PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THIS TIME AND THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 8, 201779,000 milesCA

AT LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY HARD SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY FROM 5TH GEAR DOWN TO A HARSH 3RD GEAR. CANNOT GET AT LIGHT TO SHUT OFF, REPLACED SOLINOIDS, TCM, PCM AND STILL CANNOT LOCATE THE ISSUE. CAR WILL NOT GO PAST 3RD GEAR. CAR IS STILL UNDER 80K MILES.

WheelsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 14, 2017126,471 milesVA

I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TURN GOING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE TIRE SUDDENLY LOST AIR PRESSURE AND RAN ME OFF THE ROAD. I WAS LEFT IN THE CREEK WITH MY TWO AND THREE YEAR OLD. TWO GUYS HELPED ME GET THE KIDS AND MYSELF OUT THE CAR SAFELY. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. TIRE SIZE WAS 205 55 16. THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE HOLES ON THE TIRE SO NO REAASON FOR THE SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR.

Steering
Filed Jul 29, 201739,345 milesCT

LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING. ABS, BRAKE , PS , BATTERY LIGHTS ON DASH ILLUMINATED, CAR LOOSES STEERING AND THEN THE ENGINE DIES. BATTERY DISCHARGED AS PER LOAD TEST.ALTERNATOR TESTS FINE. HAPPENED TWO TIMES AFTER THE POWER STEERING MANUFACTURER RECALL WAS PERFORMED TO REMEDY THE SAME ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2017120,000 milesNJ

THIS IS FOR A 2008.5 MAZDA3. THE ISSUE I AM REPORTING IS WITH A "SOFT PEDAL" CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES AND ABS SYSTEM ENGAGE AND CAR SLOWS DOWN. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT, THE PEDAL LOSES PRESSURE AND NEEDS TO BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIXED BY ACTIVATING THE ABS SYSTEM AGAIN AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. HOWEVER, WHEN BRAKING OVER A BUMP AGAIN THE ISSUE CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS ISSUE HAS RECENTLY STARTED TO BECOME WIDELY REPORTED FOR MAZDA3, MAZDA6, AND FORD FUSIONS. I AM SEEING THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION OPENED IN DECEMBER 2016 FOR THE FORD FUSION AND THE MERCURY MILAN. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THIS DEFECT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN MAZDA'S AS WELL. THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS MOST PEOPLE GO AND REPLACE THEIR MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, ECT. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM LOOKS TO BE WITH THE HYDRAULIC'S IN THE ABS SYSTEM.

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 24, 201780,000 milesIN

TAKATA RECALL 1 VEHICLE CRASH WHERE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON INTERSTATE CRASHING INTO RETAINING WALL WITH FRONT END DAMAGE AND NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Engine
Filed Apr 4, 201768,000 milesWA

AEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2008 MAZDA3..... HOWEVER MY VIN ISNT ASSOSIATED WITH ANY AND I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMA. POWER STEERINGS UNIT STRIPPED2 OR THE 3 BOLTS HOLES ANS FELL DOWN FROM CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS SLIGHT RATTLING..... STATIONARY AND MOVING. IDLE IS AT 500-1,000 RPMS VERY ODD FEELING. RANDOM BODY DAMAGE AND ENTIRE OF BOTTOM ENGINE RUSTY.... PAINT RUSTS AS WELL. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ON FINANCE AND REALLY NEED SOME HELP

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 201788,560 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY TO WORK YESTERDAY MORNING, 3/24/2017, I LIGHTLY TAPPED MY BREAKS, AND MY MAZDA 3 JUMPED, HARD BREAKING SENSATION, AND MADE ME SWERVE DUE TO THE CAR MALFUNCTIONING. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WENT OFF. YESTERDAY EVENING, I STARTED MY MAZDA 3 TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIGHT IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED AND NEVER WENT OFF. THE GEAR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE ON MY PANEL. MY MAZDA 3 WOULD REVERSE, BUT IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO DRIVE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC FIRST THING THIS MORNING, 3/25/2017, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WITH NO WARNING AND NO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION ARE GONE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. ADDITIONALLY, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3/14/2017, AND NO ONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID MY TRANSMISSION WAS IN BAD SHAPE OR ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. I AM NOT THE ONLY MAZDA OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON THEME WITH MAZDAS. MY CAR HAS 88,578 MILES ON IT.

Engine
Filed Mar 22, 201785,000 milesCO

10 MINUTES AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON MY CAR LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS THIS STARTED AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY MY CAR DIED AT THE TOP OF THE OFF RAMP. AT THIS POINT IT BEGAN BILLOWING WHITE SMOKE OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, OUT THE TAILPIPE, AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WAS NOT BLUE NOR DID IT HAVE AN OIL SMELL. I WAS ORIGINALLY TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND IN THE MINUTE OR TWO IT TOOK ME TO GET TO THE OFF RAMP AND AT THE TIME THE CAR DIED I WAS GOING LESS THAN 5MPH. WHEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP THEY SAID THAT 3 OF THE 4 CYLINDERS HAD 0 REMAINING POWER AND THE FOURTH ONLY HAD AROUND 1/8TH OF THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE HAD. THEY SAID THAT OIL AND COOLANT REMAINED IN THE CAR AT PROPER LEVELS. MY CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND, AGAIN, THE FLUID LEVELS WERE APPROPRIATE. I HAD BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MINUTES BETWEEN WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIRST WENT ON AND CATASTROPHIC, IRREPARABLE ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR ITSELF HAD ONLY 85,000 MILES ON IT. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE MANY OTHERS, NOT JUST ONE OR TWO HUT HUNDREDS, WHO HAVE HAD NEARLY IDENTICAL EXPERIENCES WITH THIS EXACT MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE SIZE. YET MAZDA, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND HE HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THOUGH OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED THAT THEY, TOO, CONTACTED MAZDA AFTER THIS TYPE OF COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. MAZDA'S RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS OUT OF THE POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD AND THAT THERE WAS

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 9, 2017WI

NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH GONE BAD AND RUSTY AND MAZDA REFUSES TO HELP. DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OVER 500 CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE!

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 201790,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT DEALERS WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER REPORTEDLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND LINES, AND THAT REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DISCREPANCY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Feb 5, 2017PA

THE CAR WE PURCHASED FOR MY 20 YEAR OLD SON IN JANUARY 2016 HAS HAD SEVERAL REPEATED TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE SUN ROOF. AFTER THREE WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP, THE CAR'S AT CODE APPEARED AND THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON TWO OCCASIONS AND WAS TOWED TO RUSS TRANSMISSION IN TOUGHKENNAMON, PA. AS A RESULT AND TO OUR SHOCK AND DISMAY, IN FEBRUARY, THE CAR HAD A $2800 REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. CONVERSELY, AFTER SIX RETURN VISITS TO THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC, HE HAS REPLACED THE CELLENOIDS, THE COMPUTER AND ASSOCIATED WIRES. HOWEVER, THE CAR CONTINUES TO CODE "AT" WITHIN 3 DAYS OF EACH OF THE 6 RETURN VISITS TO THE MECHANIC.! LIKE THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC AND MY 21 YEAR OLD SON, WE ARE BOTH FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY WITH MAZDA AND THE VEHICLE! PLEASE PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR ASSIST US WITH THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MAZDA. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. THANK YOU [XXX] [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 2016111,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO TRACTION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 19, 2016115,000 milesIN

THE AIR BAG WORNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. TRUNING, GOING OVER A BUMP ETC. I WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON...

Electrical System
Filed Sep 9, 201637,000 milesFL

A FEW YEARS AGO UPON WASHING MY CAR I NOTICED MY TAIL LIGHTS LOOKED A BIT ODD SO I TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AND REALIZED THEY HAD MELTED TO THE POINT THEY WERE DEFORMED AND AS A RESULT THE LIGHT EMITTED IS FAR LESS THAN WHEN IN TACT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS A FLUKE ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. WELL LAST WEEKEND I GO TO PLACE GROCERIES IN MY TRUNK AND SAW THEY LOOKED MELTED AGAIN. AFTER A CLOSER LOOK THEY HAD INDEED MELTED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME EVEN WORSE THAT BEFORE AND THEY EMIT EVEN LESS LIGHT THAN THE FIRST TIME AROUND. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH IT'S BECOME APPARENT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE FOR A MULTITUDE OF MAZDA MODELS. ONLINE FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE BOTH ON THE MAZDA 3 AND A WIDE ARRAY OF DIFFERENT MAZDA MODELS. THE MAZDA, 5 AND EVEN THE CX9 ALL HAVE THIS VERY ISSUE AND ALMOST EVERYONE STATED THE LIGHT OUTPUT WAS VERY SUBDUED AND IN A FEW CASES NO LIGHT AT ALL OR THE HOUSING MELTED SO BADLY IT BROKE THE LIGHT COMPLETELY AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO CHANGE OUT THE BULB, AND RATHER, HAD TO PURCHASE BRAND NEW TAILLIGHTS. I JUST CALLED MAZDA USA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR IS SO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, SO I EXPLAINED IT'S NOT A COSMETIC OR AESTHETIC ISSUE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THOUGH THE REP AGREED IT WAS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE, EVEN AMONG CURRENT MODELS BEING SOLD, HE INSISTED THAT SINCE MY

Air Bags
Filed Jul 7, 201640,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Wheels
Filed Jun 10, 201670,000 milesNJ

2 TPMS SENSOR VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED, WHILE FILLING THE TIRES WITH AIR THE STEMS BROKE OFF CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT. THE REMAINING 2 DID NOT LOOK ANY BETTER. HAD TIRE DEALER REPLACE ALL 4 AT $280 DOLLARS

Steering
Filed May 23, 2016118,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Complaints 1-50 of 303, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20258100Routine
202412300Routine
202312021Fatalities reported
202224000Routine
202154120Routine
202032200Routine
201974600Routine
2018110401Fatalities reported
201784200Routine
2016104610Do not drive
2015130420Do not drive
2014138410Routine
2013117120Routine
2012226110Above average
2011132220Routine
2010686350Above average
2009115410Routine
2008 — this page303310Above average
2007222330Above average
2006166230Routine
200597330Routine
2004145320Routine

Compare every Mazda3 year →

2008 Mazda Mazda3: questions buyers ask

Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the Mazda3 years to avoid: owners filed 303 complaints, 2.5 times as many as a typical Mazda3 year. The most common complaint is about the steering (36%).

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?

The steering: 109 of the 303 complaints (36%) are about it. Owners most often say it sets off warning lights on the dash (28%), loses steering assist or the wheel locks (28%) and loses power (20%). The typical report comes at 33,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have?

3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Jun 15, 2011. The largest, 10V374000, covered 215,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 40,092 miles. For the steering the midpoint is 33,000 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?

Yes, once. PE10021 ("Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist") was opened Jun 28, 2010 and closed Nov 29, 2010.

Are there service bulletins for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?

The manufacturer filed 225 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (36), the engine (22) and the headlights (15). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 15, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.