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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
45,000 miles · Jan 13, 2017
Engine

THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TWICE TO A MAZDA TRAINED MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL SHOWED A P-2177 CODE. MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE INDICATOR CHECK ENGINE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. SEE HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/61-POWERTRAIN-2004-2009-MA…

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THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TWICE TO A MAZDA TRAINED MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL SHOWED A P-2177 CODE. MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE INDICATOR CHECK ENGINE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. SEE HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/61-POWERTRAIN-2004-2009-MAZDA3/386097-CEL-DREADED-P2177-CODE-NO-SOLVABLE-REASON.HTML

NHTSA ODI #10945220

87,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Exterior LightingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC RED TAIL LIGHT COVERING HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10944591

136,000 miles · Jan 9, 2017
Steering

EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN,,,IT WAS STATIONARY AT TIME ,,TURNED WHEEL HARD,SEEMS TO ME POWER STEERING MOTOR SHORTING OUT SHUTTING DOWN ALL SYSTEMS

NHTSA ODI #10943959

192,000 miles · Jan 5, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVELY CONSUMED ALL THE OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 192,000.

NHTSA ODI #10939841

92,000 miles · Dec 24, 2016
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

FUEL PROPULSION SYSTEM CRACKED AT COUPLING UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SPEWING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL INTO THE CAB SOAKING THE REAR SEAT PAD FIRE RISK PRESENT WITH ELECTRIC PLUG THERE STRUTS ARE UNSTABLE AND NOISY VVT MAKES NOISE WHEN STARTED, GRINDING IN FRONT HUBS. VEHICLE HAS SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS DRIVING AND PARKED. AIRB…

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FUEL PROPULSION SYSTEM CRACKED AT COUPLING UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SPEWING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF FUEL INTO THE CAB SOAKING THE REAR SEAT PAD FIRE RISK PRESENT WITH ELECTRIC PLUG THERE STRUTS ARE UNSTABLE AND NOISY VVT MAKES NOISE WHEN STARTED, GRINDING IN FRONT HUBS. VEHICLE HAS SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS DRIVING AND PARKED. AIRBAGS SYSTEM NON ACTIVE. OTHER ISSUES UNKNOWN BUT POSSIBLE 35.

NHTSA ODI #10937314

149,000 miles · Dec 21, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND MY CAR TWICE NOW HAS HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GO ALL THE TO THE FLOOR AND GETS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. TWO OTHER TIMES IT HAS, WHILE SHIFTING OUT OF ONE GEAR AND INTO ANOTHER, IMMEDIATELY REV UP TO 8 RPMS (MAX FOR MY VEHICLE) AGAIN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY FORCING M…

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I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND MY CAR TWICE NOW HAS HAD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GO ALL THE TO THE FLOOR AND GETS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. TWO OTHER TIMES IT HAS, WHILE SHIFTING OUT OF ONE GEAR AND INTO ANOTHER, IMMEDIATELY REV UP TO 8 RPMS (MAX FOR MY VEHICLE) AGAIN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY FORCING ME TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO QUIT REVVING. THAT HAS OCCURRED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY IN BETWEEN GEARS MAKING ME UNABLE TO GET IT BACK INTO A GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936723

150,000 miles · Dec 16, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10935595

63,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Steering

THE CAR LOSE THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR STANDING STILL. THUS THE ABILITY TO STEER BECOMES REALLY HARD AND SOMETIMES FEELS IMPOSSIBLE. SOMETIMES AFTER RESETTING THE CAR IT WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL BUT THIS WOULD ONLY LASTED A FEW DAY BEFORE IT LOOSE THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10935467

66,000 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Exterior Lighting

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IN MY 2007 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK IS MELTING. IT IS THE TOP RED LIGHT ON BOTH SIDES. THESE ARE STOCK BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY ISSUE FROM MAZDA. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MAZDA …

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THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IN MY 2007 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK IS MELTING. IT IS THE TOP RED LIGHT ON BOTH SIDES. THESE ARE STOCK BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY ISSUE FROM MAZDA. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MAZDA 3 OWNERS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND HAVE RUN INTO THE SAME ROAD BLOCKS ON GETTING IT FIXED BY MAZDA.

NHTSA ODI #10913766

83,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
Engine

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED LIKE I RAN OVER A LARGE PIECE OF DEBRIS AND THE CAR JOLTED. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND SAFELY PULLED OVER. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT THERE WAS NO TURNOVER. LOOKED AT IT AND THERE WAS OIL MIXED WITH METAL SHARDS AND A CR…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED LIKE I RAN OVER A LARGE PIECE OF DEBRIS AND THE CAR JOLTED. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND SAFELY PULLED OVER. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT THERE WAS NO TURNOVER. LOOKED AT IT AND THERE WAS OIL MIXED WITH METAL SHARDS AND A CRACK IN THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. LET THE MANUFACTURER KNOW BUT THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10907126

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.