2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (104) · Wheels (33) · Exterior Lighting (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mazda3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
256 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2011-06-15 · campaign 11V329000 · 103,300 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 System 2010-08-12 · campaign 10V374000 · 215,000 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (225)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-055-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
product quality information (pqi) description service information mt-041/12 is no longer valid. it has been unpublished and superseded by the field quality information report (fqir) reporting system.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-29 · 09-022-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 description some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Electrical System 2025-12-17 · SA-061-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. below
Showing the 6 most recent of 225 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-01 · Steering“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.…”
2024-03-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 d…”
2022-07-23 · Suspension“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: …”
2022-01-28 · Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump“2008 mazda 3. consumer writes in regards to defective fuel pump. …”
2020-08-07 · Steering · 90,000 mi“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 fa…”
2020-08-06 · Unknown Or Other · 176 mi“ 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…”
2020-07-29 · Steering · 110,000 mi“airbag light is on.....lost power steering at only 110,000 miles...abs break system not working…”
2020-07-14 · Power Train · 95,700 mi“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.…”
2020-04-26 · Service Brakes · 180,000 mi“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 fomoc…”
2020-02-24 · Air Bags · 200,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.