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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
15,000 miles · Sep 9, 2008
StructureVisibility

I HAVE A COMPLAINT THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHERS. I KNOW TO CHECK MY BLIND SPOT, BUT EVEN WHEN YOU TURN TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER (EITHER WAY), THE BACK PANEL BETWEEN THE BACK GLASS AND THE DOOR IS IN THE WAY. I HAVE AT LEAST 3 TIMES NOW, ALMOST SWITCHED LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WASN'T VISIBLE. I LOOKED…

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I HAVE A COMPLAINT THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHERS. I KNOW TO CHECK MY BLIND SPOT, BUT EVEN WHEN YOU TURN TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER (EITHER WAY), THE BACK PANEL BETWEEN THE BACK GLASS AND THE DOOR IS IN THE WAY. I HAVE AT LEAST 3 TIMES NOW, ALMOST SWITCHED LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WASN'T VISIBLE. I LOOKED IN THE SIDE AND REARVIEW MIRRORS, AS WELL, BUT I NEVER SAW THE OTHER VEHICLE. A FRIEND OF MINE, AS WELL AS OTHER 3 OWNERS, ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MAZDA 3. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241409

5,000 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10230360

2,800 miles · May 23, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER CAR (MY FRONT END HIT HER TAIL END). I HIT THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR DOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND CAME TO A DEAD STOP ON IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228751

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2008
SteeringSuspensionTiresCrash

2007 MAZDA323 LOST CONTROL AND HIT A BARRIER WALL. *KB THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT LEFT FRONT TIRE AND STEERING MECHANISM DAMAGE THAT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10229538

3,800 miles · Apr 13, 2008
Tires

ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING SLIGHTLY ABNORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS SIDE WALL OF TIRES GAVE OUT AND RIPPED. TOYO PROXES A05 P205/55 R16. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224333

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

OXYGEN SENSOR #2 HAD BEEN CROSS-THREADED INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DAMAGE WAS DONE AT THE FACTORY. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART DO TO THE FACT THAT I HAD FOUND THE PROBLEM AND NOT THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223031

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2008
Air BagsInjury

I CRASH MY CAR MAZDA 3 MODEL, I FLIP THE CAR FIVE TIMES AND NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPEN, THE CAR HAS CRASHED IN ALL SITES VERY BADLY. I INJURED MY HEAD AND SPINE AND I HAD INTERNAL BLEEDING ON MY LEFT EYE. I WANT FROM YOUR COMPANY TO GIVE ME ADVISE YOU MIGHT NEED PICTURES OF THE CAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS IN EUROPE LAST JULY 2007. THANK …

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I CRASH MY CAR MAZDA 3 MODEL, I FLIP THE CAR FIVE TIMES AND NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPEN, THE CAR HAS CRASHED IN ALL SITES VERY BADLY. I INJURED MY HEAD AND SPINE AND I HAD INTERNAL BLEEDING ON MY LEFT EYE. I WANT FROM YOUR COMPANY TO GIVE ME ADVISE YOU MIGHT NEED PICTURES OF THE CAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS IN EUROPE LAST JULY 2007. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221877

17,000 miles · Feb 7, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACIDENT, AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR, A MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK GRAND TOURING HAS AN ONGOING BRAKE DEFECT. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AROUND 17,000 MILES. I "PAID" $300.00 TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED AND PURCHASED NEW BRAKE PADS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. ACCORDING TO MAZDA IT WAS MY F…

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THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACIDENT, AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR, A MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK GRAND TOURING HAS AN ONGOING BRAKE DEFECT. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AROUND 17,000 MILES. I "PAID" $300.00 TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED AND PURCHASED NEW BRAKE PADS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. ACCORDING TO MAZDA IT WAS MY FAULT DUE TO "HEAVY BRAKING" AND THERE IS NO WAY MAZDA BRAKE ROTORS ARE FAULTY, AND IT IS NOT A WARRANTIED ITEM. THREE MONTHS AND 7,000 MILES LATER THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN AND HAVE BECOME A BLUEISH-BLACK DUE TO EXTREMLEY HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE REAR DISCS HAVE THE SAME DISCORLOATION DUE TO EXTREME HIGH TEMPS AND ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF HEAVY BREAKING EXCEPT THE DISCOLORATION. THE NEW PADS I HAD INSTALLED AT 17,000 MILES STILL LOOKED NEW, THIS ILLUSTRATES I AM" NOT" A "HEAVY BREAKER" AND THERE IS A DEFECT. THIS TIME MAZDA DID NOT PUT THE BLAME ON ME FOR "HEAVY BREAKING" NOR DID THEY TAKE RESPONSBILITY. MAZDA SAID IF I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BRAKES WOULD JUST "LOCK UP" DURING BRAKING THEY'D CONSIDER IT A FAULTY PART AND REPLACE IT. APPARENTLY I MUST BE PUT IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, LIFE THREATENING SITUATION BEFORE MAZDA WILL REPLACE ANY PARTS. AFTER MAZDA TOLD ME THIS I'VE BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA OF DRIVING THIS CAR AND I'M AFRAID THE BRAKES COULD LOCK UP ON ME AT ANYTIME OR JUST QUIT WORKING. MAZDA ALSO TOLD ME "THIS IS NOT A WARRANTIED ITEM" AND IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS I NEED TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE "CORPORATE OFFICE" AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER. I HAVENT CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE YET I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'LL BLAME ME AND TELL ME ALOT CRAP I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU THE NHTSA DEAL WITH THEESE PROBLEMS, PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF ANY PROGRESS MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217323

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK PUNCTURE WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. PUNCTURE IS PINHOLE SIZE. THE ONLY EVENT LEADING TO THIS WAS BRAKING HARD TO AVOID A DEER. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO OTHER DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, BASICALLY NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING EXCEPT A SMALL HOLE IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210671

11,000 miles · Nov 5, 2007
Exterior LightingCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE XENON HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED POOR VISIBILITY. THE 12 VOLT,35 WATT LIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT THE EYES OF ANIMALS AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DEER RUNNING ACROSS TWO LANES BEFORE IT STRUCK HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE L…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE XENON HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED POOR VISIBILITY. THE 12 VOLT,35 WATT LIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT THE EYES OF ANIMALS AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DEER RUNNING ACROSS TWO LANES BEFORE IT STRUCK HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE LOW BEAMS WERE ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER ADJUSTED LIGHTS BUT STILL POOR VISIBILITY. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207962

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.