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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 →

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

What owners actually said

222 reports
35,510 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT BOTH ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT BOTH ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,550. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,510.

NHTSA ODI #10344651

32,571 miles · Jul 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A STICKING PURGE VALVE THAT HAD BECOME CLOGGED. THE VALVE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE CODES WERE RESET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,571 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343670

31,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Steering

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2007 MAZDA 3 GOES OFF AND ON ALL BY ITSELF. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 34000 MILES ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND WE HAVE NO POWER STEERING BUT IT WILL GO AWAY A F…

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THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2007 MAZDA 3 GOES OFF AND ON ALL BY ITSELF. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 34000 MILES ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND WE HAVE NO POWER STEERING BUT IT WILL GO AWAY A FEW SECONDS LATER. OTHER TIMES IT WON'T EVER GO OFF AND WE DRIVE THE ENTIRE TRIP WITHOUT POWER STEERING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND DRIVE. WE HAVEN'T CORRECTED THE PROBLEM YET BUT WILL SOON. SADLY THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. BUT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHILE WE ARE TURNING THE POWER STEERING WILL START WORKING AGAIN AND SO THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY TURN SHARPLY WHEN THE POWER STEERING IS WORKING. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO HIT SOMETHING ONE DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343206

52,915 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

1. GOT INTO MY CAR. DRY WARM WEATHER. 2. IT HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I START IT UP AND BEGIN TO TAKE OFF AND IT JUST SHUTS OFF. ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. LIKE AS IF MY CAR WAS A MANUAL AND I WASNT GIVING IT ENOUGH GAS AT TAKE OFF BUT THAT ISNT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS AUTOMATIC. IT HAS ALSO DONE IT AT LOW OPERATING SP…

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1. GOT INTO MY CAR. DRY WARM WEATHER. 2. IT HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I START IT UP AND BEGIN TO TAKE OFF AND IT JUST SHUTS OFF. ENGINE DIES COMPLETELY. LIKE AS IF MY CAR WAS A MANUAL AND I WASNT GIVING IT ENOUGH GAS AT TAKE OFF BUT THAT ISNT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS AUTOMATIC. IT HAS ALSO DONE IT AT LOW OPERATING SPEEDS. 3. HAVE NOT FOUND A CORRECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342993

37,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Steering

207 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK POWERSTEERING LOSS WHEN DRIVING. NEXT DAY POWERSTEERING WORKED. LOST HAPPENED AGAIN 1 WEEK LATER. NEXT DAY WORKED AGAIN. SEEMED TO BE INTERMITTENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341955

45,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Steering

CAR: 2007 MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, BUT WARMER CLIMATES THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE SPORADIC. MOST NOTABLE ISSUES OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 94 F. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF AROUND 70 MPH. CAR WAS PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER. DUE TO FAILED STEERING…

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CAR: 2007 MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME, BUT WARMER CLIMATES THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE SPORADIC. MOST NOTABLE ISSUES OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 94 F. POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF AROUND 70 MPH. CAR WAS PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER. DUE TO FAILED STEERING, CAR WAS INOPERABLE FOR NEXT 1.5 HOURS. AFTER 1.5 HOURS, CAR WAS RESTARTED AND STEERING WAS GOOD AGAIN. CAR WAS REPAIRED 2 MONTHS LATER. MAZDA REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. TSB WAS ISSUED, BUT MAZDA STILL REFUSED TO REPAIR. VEHICLE WAS THEN BROUGHT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND A FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP. THEY REPLACED LINES AND PUMP. OLD PART MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE AT DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341498

14,710 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Steering

I WAS LUCKY. THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2007 MAZDA 3 (WHICH HAD 14,710 MILES ON IT) FAILED WHILE GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. BUT I GATHER, BOTH FROM THE MAZDA SERVICE STAFF AND A NEWS REPORT, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE ON THE MAZDA 3. THE POWER STEERING PUMP/LINES HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED; WILL THEY FAIL AGAIN, UNDER LESS FAVO…

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I WAS LUCKY. THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2007 MAZDA 3 (WHICH HAD 14,710 MILES ON IT) FAILED WHILE GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. BUT I GATHER, BOTH FROM THE MAZDA SERVICE STAFF AND A NEWS REPORT, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE ON THE MAZDA 3. THE POWER STEERING PUMP/LINES HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED; WILL THEY FAIL AGAIN, UNDER LESS FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES? PLEASE ADD MY EXPERIENCE TO THE DATA BASE OF MAZDA 3, POWER STEERING FAILURES. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341258

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10329974

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2010
Air BagsCrash

I WAS REAR ENDED AND MY CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329237

28,192 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Structure

ON FEB 13, 09 I HAD THE ENGINE MOUNT ON MY MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. TODAY I WAS INFORMED BY THE MAZDA TECHNICIAN THAT THE SAME ENGINE MOUNT WAS LEAKING AGAIN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. HIS COMMENT WAS THAT THE ENGINE WAS TOO HEAVY AND SPEED VIBRATION CAUSES THE MOUNT TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327070

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.