2008 Mazda Mazda3 complaints

APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I GOT A FLAT TIRE DRIVING ON 1-290 IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ISSUE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE TIRE SENSOR VALVE HAD GONE INTO THE TIRE. I REPLACED SAID TIRE, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE THE ISSUE THREE MORE TIMES ON ALL FOUR TIRES TOTAL. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME WERE TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS APRIL 2013 AND THE FOURTH ONE TODAY 12/17/13. THE SENSORS SEEMED TO BE ROTTING OUT AND THE STEM ENDS UP CORRODING. I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 1,000 IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF FIXING THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY INFURIATING TO SAY THE LEAST. IT SEEMS THAT LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH MANY HAVE HAD, YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. *TR

THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE TAIL LIGHTS HAS MELTED, SO WHEN BRAKING OR DRIVING IN THE DARK, THE TAIL LIGHTS SHOW AS A MIX OF RED AND WHITE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, BOTH HAVE GONE OUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY START WORKING AGAIN FOR NO REASON, BUT WILL BE OUT AGAIN AFTER A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. *TR

THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL ISSUE. THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE BY THE DEALER. I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A BIGGER ISSUE REGARDING "DESIGN NEGLIGENCE" BY MAZDA AS IT RELATES TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON THIS 2008-3. YOU SEE, THE PUMP (AN ITEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING AND VEHICLE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM) IS MOUNTED OUTSIDE THE CAR'S FRAME, JUST FORWARD OF THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. IT IS BASICALLY JUST BEHIND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT/BUMPER/QUARTER PANEL ASSEMBLY. THIS LOCATION MAKES IT VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE IN EVEN MINOR ACCIDENTS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE IN THE VERY INSTANT WHERE CONTROL AND MANEUVERABILITY MAY KEEP OTHERS FROM BEING INJURED OR KILLED. WHAT BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION WAS WHEN A DEER RECENTLY RAN INTO THIS VERY LOCATION AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND THEREFORE UNDRIVABLE. MY DAUGHTER (WHO SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION) WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS VERY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TECHNICALLY DRIVABLE (MINUS QUARTER PANEL, LEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT AND PART OF THE BUMPER COVER) SHE COULD NOT PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE OFFICER WRITING UP THE ACCIDENT REPORT TRIED TO MANEUVER THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD TO A SAFER LOCATION AND WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE TURNING OF THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS ACCIDE

OVERFLOW BOTTLE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE COSTING MORE THAN 1500 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE MECHANIC ENCOURAGE THAT I REPORT BECAUSE HE SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT MAZDA IS KNOWN FOR HAVING THIS DEFECT. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR

I GOT A FLAT TIRE YESTERDAY BECAUSE MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR VALVE HAD FALLEN INSIDE MY TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2008. THANKFULLY, I WAS STUCK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND ONLY GOING 20 MPH. I REALIZED MY TIRE WAS FLAT WHEN THE SENOR LIGHT WENT OFF AND MY CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND FORTUNATELY IT WAS THE EMERGENCY LANE OR I WOULD HAVE HIT A CAR. TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE SHOP AND THE TPS SENSOR NOW NEEDS REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD CORRODED AND DAMAGED THE INSIDE OF MY TIRE AS WELL. WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT MY OTHER TIRES AND TPS SENSOR/STEM VALVE WAS CORRODED. THE THIRD TIRE IS FINE FOR NOW BUT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF CORRODING AS WELL. THE 4TH ONE WAS REPLACED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND APPEARS OK. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM ASAP AND REIMBURSE EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER THAN 20MPH. ITS SAD THAT SOMEONE HAS TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR DIE FOR A RECALL TO HAPPEN. TO REPLACE BOTH SENSORS AND FIX MY TIRE I GOING TO BE PAYING OVER $300 FOR MAZDA'S ISSUE. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE AND CARE OF MY CAR, I BOUGHT IT NEW; NOTHING ON THAT CARE SHOULD BE CORRODING WHEN IT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. NOT OUR FAULT AS CONSUMERS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, FIX THIS NOW MAZDA!! *TR

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS ARE PROGRAMMED TO INACTIVATE THE FRONT AND SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER IF THE FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHS BETWEEN 66 AND 93 LBS. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 83 LBS. ACCORDING TO MAZDA, THIS IS NOT A DEFECT, BUT A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE SIDE AIR BAG INACTIVATION, BUT NOT THE FRONT AIR BAG INACTIVATION (YOU CAN PUSH THE SEAT FAR BACK) AND CERTAINLY NOT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER INACTIVATION. THIS RULE IS WRONG AND PUTS LIVES AT RISK. IF YOU GOOGLE "MAZDA FRONT AIR BAG INACTIVATION", YOU WILL SEE THAT LOTS OF MAZDA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT, AND IT EXTENDS TO OWNERS OF OTHER MAKES. THE AIR BAG INACTIVATION LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AS MY WIFE MOVES IN HER SEAT, AND HAS DONE THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. WE HAVE A 2006 MAZDA3 WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE SAT IN THE VEHICLE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME FRACTURED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AND DIAGNOSED AS VALVE STEM CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MAZDA HAS NOT RECALLED THE TPMS ON THE 2008 MAZDA 3'S. ALL OF THE TPMS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, I WILL BE GETTING THE LAST TWO FIXED/REPAIRED COMING THIS MONDAY. ALL OF THEM WERE EITHER CRACKED OR CORRODED. THE FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN ONE OF MY TIRES BEING "SHREDDED" ON THE INSIDE. PART OF THE KIT BROKE OFF AND WAS INSIDE THE RIM. I WAS ACCUSED BY A DEALERSHIP THAT I MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A FLAT TIRE. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY TIMES THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART. MAZDA SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON JULY 29, 2013 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. THE ISSUE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE AND LOST OF AIR/FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE REASON BEHIND THIS FAULT WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM. AFTER INSPECTING ALL THE OTHER WHEELS, IT TURNS OUT ALL THE VALVE STEMS ARE CRACKED. SOME INITIAL RESEARCH TELLS ME ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THOSE CARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. AT THIS POINT I HAVE CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE AND NONE OF THEM WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WILL BE 4X $120 FOR ALL TPMS SENSORS WITH VALVE STEMS AND 2X $115 FOR BOTH FRONT TIRES. HOPEFULLY THERE IS A RECALL COMING SOON... *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON JULY 29, 2013 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. THE ISSUE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT PULL TO THE LEFT SIDE AND LOST OF AIR/FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE REASON BEHIND THIS FAULT WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM. AFTER INSPECTING ALL THE OTHER WHEELS, IT TURNS OUT ALL THE VALVE STEMS ARE CRACKED. SOME INITIAL RESEARCH TELLS ME ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THOSE CARS AND MAZDA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. AT THIS POINT I HAVE CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND MAZDA CORPORATE OFFICE AND NONE OF THEM WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WILL BE 4X $120 FOR ALL TPMS SENSORS WITH VALVE STEMS AND 2X $115 FOR BOTH FRONT TIRES. HOPEFULLY THERE IS A RECALL COMING SOON... *TR

TIRE VALVE STEMS FALL OUT OF THE TIRES: MY TIRES HAVE BEEN LEAKING AIR PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRE VALVE STEMS WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT COVER. WHEN I WENT TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, AIR CAME OUT AROUND THE VALVE STEM. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO MY GARAGE AND BEFORE I GOT THERE, THE ENTIRE VALVE STEM HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE THREADS ON THE VALVE STEM WERE ALL OXIDIZED AND THE NUT ROTTED OFF. AFTER INSPECTING THE OTHER TIRES, WE NOTICED ANOTHER ONE WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT ALSO AND HEAVILY OXIDIZED. I HAD THE MECHANIC PULL OFF ALL 4 TIRES AND INSTALL NEW VALVE STEMS TO ALL TIRES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MAZDA AND SEE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

MY STEERING IS TIGHT UNAVAILABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE OF AN EXPRESS ROAD. WHILE DRIVING, THE TPMS SENSOR WARNING LIGHT/SOUND CAME ON AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLATE - TOTAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TPMS SENSOR HAD FALLEN OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT (IT IS ATTACHED TO THE VALVE STEM) THE TREADS WERE CORRODED AND THE NUT CRACKED CAUSING THE SENSOR FALL OUT AND THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS ONE WAS REPLACED. 8 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE NUT CRACKED AND THE SENSOR FELL OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THANKFULLY THIS TIME IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER I HAD PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR A BATHROOM BREAK AND WAS NOT DRIVING AT SPEED WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED - ALTHOUGH IF IT HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES PRIOR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON EXAMINATION WE FOUND THAT THE THREAD WERE AGAIN CORRODED, CAUSING THE NUT TO CRACK AND THE SENSOR TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION - CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY MAZDA. *TR

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER A VISIT TO THE SHOP, I LEARNED THAT MY MICRO COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST $729. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA 3S MADE AROUND 2008. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE, I BELIEVE THAT A DEFECTIVE PART CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE EVALUATED FOR RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT. THANK YOU. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT THE FULL SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR BLEW OFF AND THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING CARS WHILE VEERING ACROSS 3 LANES TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE REMAINING 3 TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE CORRODED & PARTIALLY BROKEN, AND WERE IN JEOPARDY OF BLOWING OFF. CALLED MAZDA'S CUSTOMER LINE, ARGUED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAZDA AGREED TO REPLACE ALL 4 SENSORS AT NO CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS PAST WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THEY KNEW THAT THIS WAS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. I WAS DISTURBED THAT NO ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED TO WARN CONSUMERS AND CAR REPAIR SERVICE TO SPECIFICALLY CHECK FOR WEAR - THIS IS DANGEROUS. I COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR THE SENSOR COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR WORSE WHEN BLOWING OFF AT HIGH SPEED. MAZDA DEALER SAID THAT THIS DESIGN WAS USED ON MANY MAKES AND MODELS IN 2008 (NOT JUST MAZDA), WHICH IS EVEN MORE DISTURBING. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING AN ALERT AT A MINIMUM. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED WHEN WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR JERKS SUDDENLY. I WAS EXTREMELY STARTLED AS IT FELT LIKE I HAD BROKEN AN AXLE OR RAN OVER SOMETHING BIG IN THE ROAD. FOR UNAWARE DRIVERS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THEY SWERVE IN REACTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 MORE TIMES IN A 1 HR DRIVE AND JUST KEPT ON HAPPENING WHENEVER I DROVE IT FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR LOWER SPEEDS, I THEN NOTICED THAT MY DISPLAY SHOWED THE GEAR TO DROP FROM 5TH SUDDENLY INTO 3RD OR 4TH TO 3RD. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF MAZDA 3S, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO A RECALL AS IT IS NOT SAFE ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THIRD DEGREE INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE FIFTH GEAR. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, NOT TRACTION, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN INFORMED HIM THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 87,000. DT

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN FORT LAUDERDAE, FL BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED. I WAS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND THANK GOD I REMEMBERED MY DAD SAYING THAT YOUR HIGH BEAMS ARE A BACKUP SYSTEM. THIS WORKED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR LAMP FAILURES ON HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS AT NO COST? NOW BOTH FAILED AT ONCE, THE INTERNET IS FLOODED WITH WITH COMPLAINTS. IS MY CARE SAFE? I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERS, THEY NEVER CHARGE ME FOR LAMP REPAIRS, ARE THEY HIDING SOMETHING? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER MOVING OFF THE ROADWAY AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TRIED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE WHEN THE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TPMS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER TPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

LIKE OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE REAR TIRE CAMBER. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION AFTER THE 2ND SET OF TIRES. I DIDN'T THINK THAT MUCH OF IT DURING THE FIRST SET OF TIRES AS THE TIRES LASTED FOR APPRX 50K MILES. BUT THE 2ND SET STARTED TO VIBRATE AND RUMBLE LOUDLY AFTER ABOUT 12K MILES. I HAD THEM ALIGNED AND ROTATED BUT THE NOISE AND WEAR BECAME WORSE. I PURCHASED A 3RD SET AND AGAIN HAD THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THE SET LASTED FOR ABOUT 30K MILES. BUT I MUST STATE THAT THE VIBRATION AND NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE, AT THIS POINT. I FINALLY FOUND A MECHANIC THAT UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM. THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE FIXED (DID NOT HAVE AN ADJUSTMENT). THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS (WITH AN ADJUSTABLE SET). THE CAR NOW RIDES SMOOTH AND QUIET. MY QUESTION AND COMPLAINT...MAZDA MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OTHERWISE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL, NONADJUSTABLE. SO WHY, DIDN'T MAZDA OFFER ASSISTANCE? THE REPAIR COST ME OVER $625, NOT INCLUDING THE PREMATURELY WORN TIRES. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. NOW I QUESTION MAZDA'S INTEGRITY AND MAY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *TR

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. SPECIFIC INCIDENTS: 1. WARNING LIGHT FLASHES OR LIGHTS WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS WITHIN THE SPECIFICATION LIMITS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. 2. ONE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FELL APART ON INSPECTION, AFTER WARNING OF A LEAK. DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. 3. ONE OF THE TIRE VALVES (AND HENCE PRESSURE SENSOR) WAS LEAKING AIR WHEN THE VALVE CAP WAS REMOVED, REPLACING THE VALVE CAP HELD THE AIR IN THE TIRE. DEALER ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AT NO CHARGE. 4. ONE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED. DEALER STATED IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME FOR REPLACEMENT. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD. SENSORS SEEMED TO BE MORE IRREGULAR AFTER DRIVING ON ROUGH HIGHWAY ROADS, WHERE A LAYER OF ASPHALT HAD BEEN REMOVED. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT INOP AFTER ONLY 67,000 MILES. *TR

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER TAKING THE CARE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND THE SENSOR MUST HAVE GOTTEN WET, POSSIBLY FROM CONDENSATION. BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO PLACE AN AIRBAG SENSOR, UNDER A CUPHOLDER, THAT CAN BE SO EASILY DAMAGED BY DRINK CONDENSATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I HAVE TO GET THE ALIGNMENT DONE AS OFTEN AS I GET THE OIL CHANGE DONE. WHEN YOU ARE GOING OVER 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A 4 X 4. THERE IS ALSO A HORRIBLE ROARING ONCE YOU GET TO 45 MPH. THE ROARING AND SHAKING GOES AWAY RIGHT AFTER I HAVE MY CAR ALIGNED, BUT, AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT STARTS COMING BACK. I HAVE CHANGED THE TYPE OF TIRES THAT I PUT ON MY CAR THINKING IT MAY HELP, BUT, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY DIFFERENT WITH THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRES I HAVE PUT ON MY CAR. *TR

HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY GO OUT ABOUT TWO-THREE MONTHS AFTER BEING REPLACED. *TR

REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY BULBS AND DEVELOPED MELTED HOLES ON THE REAR LENSES. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR THE IN-TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM'S RIM ATTACHING NUT CORRODED OFF OF THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE. TIRE PRESSURE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TO STOP AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VALVE STEM FELL INTO THE TIRE ONCE PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. ALL 4 TIRES ALL CORRODED EVENLY AND NEED TO HAVE THE STEMS AND NUTS REPLACED. I'VE OPTED FOR A RUBBER VALVE STEM WHILST SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD THE 3 OTHER TIRES FIXED. REPLACEMENT NON-ALUMINUM TPMS ARE 35-50 A PIECE + INSTALLATION. 1. CHEAP NUTS THAT CRACK AND FALL OFF TIRE STEMS. 2. ALUMINUM STEMS THAT CORRODE COMPLETELY REMOVING THE THREADS. 3. HIGH SPEED CRASH HAZARD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING APPROX 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY MY BRAKES FAILED (FELT LIKE THEY LOCKED UP, AS THEY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PUSH PEDAL). I HAD TO SHIFT SUDDENLY IN TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REDUCE MY SPEED AND PULL SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER. THIS SAME INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED ON 8/10/2012. *TR

LARGE BUBBLE FORMED ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TWO TIRES. TIRES HAVE APPROX. 20,000 MILES ON THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND NECK AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE ACCELERATION ALSO OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE TIRE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,750 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,795.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 GRAND TOURING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT. THE DRIVER THEN REPLACED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,109.

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEED. UPON SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING THE CAR PULLED HEAVILY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT A LARGE TREE ON THIS VERY NARROW ROAD. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE TOP MOTOR MOUNT DEFECTIVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE MAD ABOUT THIS THEY REPLACE IT GOES BAD 1 TO 2 LATER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO REPORT FILED. THE INSURANCE PROVIDER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT. AS THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE THE STEERING FELT SLUGGISH LIKE THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONDITION LASTED A FEW SECONDS THEN CLEARED UP. THAT HAPPENED TWICE MORE AS I WAS BACKING OUT. WHENEVER THE STEERING BECAME SLUGGISH SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON (LOW TIRE, ABS, BRAKE, OIL, ETC). THEY TURNED OFF WHENEVER THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONDITION SEEMED TO CLEAR ITSELF SO I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT A FEW HUNDRED FEET. THE SLUGGISH STEERING AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN AGAIN. I STOPPED THE CAR, LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING AND CHECKED THE TIRES, POWER STEERING BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL. ALL WERE OK. AT THIS POINT I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVED THE KEY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLES OSCILLATED WILDLY FROM END TO END FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ON. AFTER WAITING FOR THE INSTRUMENTATION TO SETTLE TO THE NORMAL OFF STATE, I INSERTED THE KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER WHATEVER, LIKE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REMOVED. I REMOVED THE KEY WAITED 15 SECONDS AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THAT TIME THE CAR STARTED AS EXPECTED. I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THERE WAS NO RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES SINCE THEN WITH NO RECURRENCE OF THE STEERING ISSUE OR FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IS WAS JUST SOME KIND OF ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A BIT UNTIL I NOTICED THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF A FLAT TIRE. THE WAS ODD SINCE I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEN AND THE WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE RAPID DEFLATION. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE TIRE VALVE AND WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE TIRE PLACE HE PULLED THE TIRE OFF TO TRY TO FIND THE SENSOR TO NO AVAIL. HE SAID IN HIS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ON CLOSER INSPECTION WE NOTICED A CRACK IN ANOTHER ONE OF THE VALVE STEMS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND NOT DUE TO COMPONENT MANUFACTURING, BUT IT SEEMS ODD THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO MULTIPLE VALVES LIKES THAT. AS AN ADDENDUM, THE ONLY OTHER TIME I HAVE TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS WHEN I RANDOM GOT A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN I TRIED TO REFILL THE TIRE THE VALVE PUSHED IN. I TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY PROMPTLY REPLACED THE VALVE AND SENSOR WITHOUT CHARGE. I AM GLAD I HAD NEW TIRES WITH RUN FLAT TECHNOLOGY. IT THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH THE OLD TIRES I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MUCH WORSE THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE OFF TRACK, WHEN ROLLED DOWN I CAN MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH BY PUSHING IT. WHEN YOU ROLL IT UP YOU HAVE TO FIRST PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE OR IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW GETS STUCK AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T ROLL DOWN. ON MAZDA FORUMS MANY, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. *TR

TPMS FAILURE. THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. ONE OF MY TIRES WAS VERY LOW OVERNIGHT. I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET AIR, AND THE VALVE WAS MISSING. COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME MAKE AND YEAR. 2008 MAZDA 3. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

EACH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT 3 TIMES WITHIN 25,000 MILES AND 1 1/2 YEARS OF DRIVING IT. *TR

TIRE SENSOR CAME ON DURING DRIVE INTO WORK. MADE TO CALL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY LUNCH TIME THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THE STEM OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF. WHEN I GOT THE CAR TO A DEALER THEY STATE 3 OF THE 4 MONITORS HAD CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS ADDED NEARLY $400 DOLLARS TO GETTING THE TIRES ON THE CAR REPLACED. HOW IS IT A TIRE SENSOR CAN'T LAST AS LONG AS THE TIRES ON A BRAND NEW CAR? IF A TIRE SENSOR IS ADDED TO A CAR TO MAKE IT SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT MAYBE IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS AND NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO BECOME UNSAFE. *TR

FACTORY TIRES (GOODYEAR RSA) WORE OUT IN <15K, EXCESSIVE INSIDE WEAR. REPLACED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA GRID G019 205/50/R17. STARTED SHOWING INSIDE WEAR AROUND 45K, AND EXTREMELY LOUD ROAD NOISE AT 50K. ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AS PER WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS. ALIGNMENT IS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. CAR HAS NEVER TOUCHED A TRACK AND IS USED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE. ONLINE REPORTS HAVE BLAMED THE CAMBER WHICH IS NOT ADJUSTABLE ON THE MAZDA 3. SO THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. SERIOUS DEFECT AND DANGEROUS. *TR

TIRE VALVE SPLIT AND ENTERED TIRE WELL CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE VALVE 115.00 $ BUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE THE LITTLE WAYS THAT I DROVE ON IT TO PULL OVER SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE!!! THIS IS NOW THE SECOND VALVE THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, LUCKILY THE FIRST WAS DISCOVERED BY THE MECHANIC WHILE REPLACING MY TIRES. THE OTHER TWO SEEM TO BE ON THERE WAY OUT AS WELL. *TR

2008 MAZDA 3 4-DOOR - TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR VALVE IS CORRODED AND SPLIT. A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WILL CHECK IF WARRANTY COVERS REPLACEMENT TPM, BUT FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, PROBABLY NOT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY NOW. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON BECAUSE IT APPEARS AIR IS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. MAZDA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE POOR QUALITY TPM'S. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE GROUND HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 01/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A WIRE WAS FOUND NOT PROPERLY SECURED. UPDATED 01/19/12

ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. THERE WAS NO NOTICED VIBRATION WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS IN DRIVE, WITH THE HOOD POPPED, THE ENGINE WAS NOTICEABLY PITCHING FORWARD AND RETURNING TO IT'S DEFAULT POSITION WHEN THE GAS WAS RELEASED. I CHECKED RECALLS AND THERE WERE NONE SHOWN, BUT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. LOCAL MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN. *TR

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN LEFT LANE ON INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY TURNED INTO CONCRETE DIVIDER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST AND AS A RESULT, CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM), WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE TECHNICIAN AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL DUE TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE WAITING ON THE NECESSARY PARTS TO ARRIVE BEFORE PERFORMING THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL BEING INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.