IllustrationAIR BAG LIGHT PASS. SIDE CAME ON. *TR
2007 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
270–25K
3325–50K
3250–75K
3475–100K
39100–150K
18150K+
183 reports with mileage · 39 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
36 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000.
IN MARCH 2008, MY VEHICLE HAD WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON FOR BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CODE AND CHECKED THE SYSTEM FOR ERRORS. NO CODES RE-OCCURRED AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. SUBSEQUENTLY IN DECEMBER 2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALER ADJUSTED SOME WIRING AND CLEARED THE LIGHT/C…
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IN MARCH 2008, MY VEHICLE HAD WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON FOR BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CODE AND CHECKED THE SYSTEM FOR ERRORS. NO CODES RE-OCCURRED AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. SUBSEQUENTLY IN DECEMBER 2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALER ADJUSTED SOME WIRING AND CLEARED THE LIGHT/CODE. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 2011, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. AS THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT SECURED AN APP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. AS THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT SECURED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
I WAS ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY IN WESTERN NY WHEN I CAUGHT BLACK ICE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-55 MPH/ THE CAR WENT INTO A SLIDE WHICH I ALMOST CORRECTED OUT OF BUT HIT MORE BLACK ICE SENDING ME INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS SMASHED AND I CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FT FROM WHERE I IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL. NO AIR BAGS W…
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I WAS ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY IN WESTERN NY WHEN I CAUGHT BLACK ICE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-55 MPH/ THE CAR WENT INTO A SLIDE WHICH I ALMOST CORRECTED OUT OF BUT HIT MORE BLACK ICE SENDING ME INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS SMASHED AND I CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FT FROM WHERE I IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND I WAS NOT HURT. BUT AT THAT SPEED THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I'M NOT SEEKING ANY COMPENSATION BUT FROM DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH I AM FINDING THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN A FEW TIMES. MAYBE A RECALL IS IN ORDER FOR THE 2007 MAZDA 3 4 DR SEDAN IS IN ORDER? *TR
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND A TOYOTA 4 RUNNER REAR-ENDED ME AT 35 - 40 MPH. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
I WAS REAR ENDED AND MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. *TR
DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING APROX 55MILES/HR ON THE FREEWAY. NO COLLISION. AFTER INSPECTION, MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS INSURANCE ISSUE NOT THEIRS. CONDUCTED MY OWN INVESTIGATION AND HIRED SPECIALISTS, RESULTS WERE THAT EDR (EVENT DATA RECOVERY SYSTEM) DOWNLOADED CODES FOR SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE DRIVER SIDE C…
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DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING APROX 55MILES/HR ON THE FREEWAY. NO COLLISION. AFTER INSPECTION, MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS INSURANCE ISSUE NOT THEIRS. CONDUCTED MY OWN INVESTIGATION AND HIRED SPECIALISTS, RESULTS WERE THAT EDR (EVENT DATA RECOVERY SYSTEM) DOWNLOADED CODES FOR SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN. CASE IS IN COURT. CAR HAS LESS THEN 25000 MILES ON IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER PASSENGER WERE ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER PASSENGER WERE ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A 2007 MAZDA 3 DRIVEN BY MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, FOLLOWING A SEVERE FRONT-END COLLISION INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHOSE DRIVER HAD RUN A RED LIGHT. *TR
Official recalls
221V494000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jul 1, 2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
10V374000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Aug 12, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE10021 · Loss Of Electric Power Steering Assist
Opened Jun 28, 2010 · Closed Nov 29, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
Additional source detail variants (6)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
Steering
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 bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.