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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

89 reports
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51,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10794649

50,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Steering

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. POWER GETS LOST, COMES BACK, GETS LOST AND SO ON ABOUT EVERY SECOND.

NHTSA ODI #10788480

117,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING, I SLOWED DOWN AND WHEN TURNING, MY WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY TURN. MY ABS LIGHT FLASHED, ALONG WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND THEN CAME BACK ON. THE WHEEL UNLOCKED AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT TURNING WHERE SOMEONE WAS STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI #10786560

113,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Steering

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. MAZDA HAS A RECALL OUT FOR POWER STEERING PUMPS FOR OTHER MAZDA 3S BUT MY CAR VIN IS NOT IN THE RANGE OF VINS WITH THE FAULTY PUMP. ALL MY ELECTRICAL SUCH AS BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, ELETRICAL CABLES AND FUSE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. I'VE FLUSHED THE POWER STEERING AND STILL NOTHING…

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POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. MAZDA HAS A RECALL OUT FOR POWER STEERING PUMPS FOR OTHER MAZDA 3S BUT MY CAR VIN IS NOT IN THE RANGE OF VINS WITH THE FAULTY PUMP. ALL MY ELECTRICAL SUCH AS BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, ELETRICAL CABLES AND FUSE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. I'VE FLUSHED THE POWER STEERING AND STILL NOTHING. I COULD NOT GET HOLD OF ANYONE TECH SAVY WHO COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS AT MAZDA.

NHTSA ODI #10762590

90,081 miles · May 27, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,081. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10721611

43,000 miles · May 8, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10715300

73,000 miles · Jan 11, 2015
Steering

FOR NEARLY A YEAR NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM AWARE OF THE 2007 MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING RECALL AND HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO REPORT THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I TOOK IT T…

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FOR NEARLY A YEAR NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM AWARE OF THE 2007 MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING RECALL AND HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO REPORT THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS WHILE DRIVING AND I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SLOWLY AND COME TO A FULL STOP BEFORE THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND JUST HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T DO IT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR ON THE INTERSTATE OR FOR LONG DISTANCES FOR FEAR OF PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK. ALTHOUGH MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, WHY IS THERE NOT AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE? IT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING DESCRIBED WITHIN THE RECALL AND I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH NO SOLUTION FROM THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671694

85,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR STABILIZER CONTROL LINK AND BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE REAR STABILIZER BRUSHING RING AND THE CONTROL LINK WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR STABILIZER CONTROL LINK AND BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE REAR STABILIZER BRUSHING RING AND THE CONTROL LINK WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE STEERING FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10649785

125,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS REQUIRED TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS REQUIRED TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640836

141,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

AS I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, THE CAR LOST POWER. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THE CAR STALLED. SO FAR THIS HAS HAPPEN 6 TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD ME MY CAR IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626375

Official recalls

2

21V494000 · 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

1

PE10021 · 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.