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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
Electrical System complaints
19 reportsPower steering failure causing rust on car components. When turning my steering wheel to the left or right there is a noise the car makes and it jumps gear shifts making it very unsafe to drive this car. Also there is an electrical power issue with the car. I just bought a new battery for the car but there still seems to be a sh…
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Power steering failure causing rust on car components. When turning my steering wheel to the left or right there is a noise the car makes and it jumps gear shifts making it very unsafe to drive this car. Also there is an electrical power issue with the car. I just bought a new battery for the car but there still seems to be a shortage And I have to power jump the car every time I tune the car off and have to start the the car up. This is very unsafe for me as the driver and unsafe for those around my when driving because of the locking steering wheel.
MY VEHICLE FELT SHAKY WHICH CAUSED ME TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY CAUSING MY BACK PASSENGER TIRE TO RUN OVER A CURB. AFTER THE SCARE IT SEEMED TO DRIVE LIKE NORMAL. I ONLY HAD ABOUT A 5 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK. WHEN GETTING TO WORK, AFTER BEING INSIDE A FEW MINUTES, A COWORKER POINTED OUT THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR. I WENT WITH A CO…
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MY VEHICLE FELT SHAKY WHICH CAUSED ME TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY CAUSING MY BACK PASSENGER TIRE TO RUN OVER A CURB. AFTER THE SCARE IT SEEMED TO DRIVE LIKE NORMAL. I ONLY HAD ABOUT A 5 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK. WHEN GETTING TO WORK, AFTER BEING INSIDE A FEW MINUTES, A COWORKER POINTED OUT THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR. I WENT WITH A COWORKER TO CHECK, WE OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT IN THE FRONT CLOSE TO WHERE THE BELTS ARE. WE QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND I HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON 5/03/19.
POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AS WELL AS THE CLOCK AND RADIO. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY.
SINCE WE HAD THIS CAR, WE'VE HAD TO REPAIR THE ENGINE OXYGEN SENSOR AT LEAST 2 TIMES. WHY THIS CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION WE DON'T KNOW, BUT AT SOME POINT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAULTY ENGINE/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PART.
WHEN I START THE CAR AND START DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STIFFENS AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AND THE HEAD LIGHTS LIKE ITS LOSING POWER. THEN IS I PUSH THE GAS TO GO THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITH THE STEERING WILL BEING HARD TO TURN THIS HAPPENED WHILE BACKING UP AND STARTING TO DRIVE ON THE REDIDENTIAL STREET
MY BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IS MELTED ON BOTH SIDES. THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB IS MELTED INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS. I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND CARS WERE FLAGGING ME TO TELL ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I PULLED INTO A AUTO SHOP TO CHECK AND BOTH SIDES WERE MELTED. I HAD MY CAR SINCE 2…
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MY BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IS MELTED ON BOTH SIDES. THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB IS MELTED INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS. I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND CARS WERE FLAGGING ME TO TELL ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I PULLED INTO A AUTO SHOP TO CHECK AND BOTH SIDES WERE MELTED. I HAD MY CAR SINCE 2013 AND EVERYTHING WAS ORIGINAL STOCK. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED THEY SAID IT MAY BE FAULTY FUEL PUMP, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY CODE THAT SHOWS AND I ALREADY HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED. MY CAR VERY FREQUENTLY STALLS OUT (HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS) EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND O2 SENSOR. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FLICKERS FREQUENTLY, WITH AND WITHOUT PASSENGERS. *TR
ANY TIME I PROCEED TO MAKE A TURN, MY WHEEL STIFFENS. EVERY LIGHT IN MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. MY RADIO CUTS OFF AND CAR STALLS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS EXACT MODEL OF CAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA. THE CAR'S GEARS DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS. IF I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE LIGHT SWITCHES FROM RED TO GREEN THE VEHICLE JUMPS AS IF IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF. MY AT LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND MY …
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA. THE CAR'S GEARS DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS. IF I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE LIGHT SWITCHES FROM RED TO GREEN THE VEHICLE JUMPS AS IF IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF. MY AT LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE LIGHT IS CHECKED, IT'S BECAUSE OF "THE THERMOSTAT" WHICH I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH, THE ENGINE CODE IS COMING UP AS AN ISSUE WITH THE THERMOSTAT, THERE'S ACTUALLY NEVER AN ISSUE. I SEARCHED MY VIN AND ITS STATING THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS THE OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL FOR 2007. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 2013 SO THERE'S NO WAY MAZDA COULD'VE SENT ME INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE RECALL AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS EITHER. *TR
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE RED PLASTIC ASSEMBLY MELTED INTO THE BREAK LIGHT BULBS CAUSING BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. CURRENTLY, BOTH ASSEMBLY HAVE HOLES WHERE THE RED PLASTIC MELTED, THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, IT HAS BEEN …
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THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE RED PLASTIC ASSEMBLY MELTED INTO THE BREAK LIGHT BULBS CAUSING BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. CURRENTLY, BOTH ASSEMBLY HAVE HOLES WHERE THE RED PLASTIC MELTED, THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND CONTINUES TO FAIL, MIGHT AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ON THE ENGINE MOUNT. FINALLY, DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR HAS TURNED ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE, MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE PART IN THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM. *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.