IllustrationWHILE 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.
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
What owners actually said
222 reportsPOWER 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.
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 MA…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE AND INDICATED THAT THE JACK WAS DEFECTIVE. UPON CHANGING THE TIRE, THE METAL FRAME FRACTURED AS WELL AS THE ROCKER PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. A TIRE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE TIRE. THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE AND INDICATED THAT THE JACK WAS DEFECTIVE. UPON CHANGING THE TIRE, THE METAL FRAME FRACTURED AS WELL AS THE ROCKER PANEL WITHOUT WARNING. A TIRE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. MA 08/10/15 UPDATED 10/25/2017*CN
AUTOMATIC 5 SPD SHIFTS HARSHLY BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. JERKING THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS.
MAIN AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON. WHEN TURNING A CORNER.
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
IN MARCH OF 2014, WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND WOULD ONLY GO FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR (CHECK ENGINE AND AT LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON). I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE SOLENOID A /TRANSMISSION MODULE...COST ME $1500. THEN, 9 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. TH…
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IN MARCH OF 2014, WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND WOULD ONLY GO FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR (CHECK ENGINE AND AT LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON). I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE SOLENOID A /TRANSMISSION MODULE...COST ME $1500. THEN, 9 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NOW THE WIRE HARNESS THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO REPAIR SHORTED WIRES...COST ME $500. THEN, 3 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME I BROUGHT CAR DIRECTLY TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER. I ASKED ABOUT RECALL, AND THEY SAID NO RECALL! SO THIS TIME I WAS TOLD SOLENOID B HAD FAILED AND I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION...COST ME $1800. A WEEK LATER, IT DID THE SAME THING!!! I BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID WIRES JUST NEEDED TIGHTENING. A WEEK LATER, MY CAR WOULDN'T START...NEEDED A NEW STARTER, BELTS, AND BATTERY...COST ME $1100. THIS IS CLEARLY A MAZDA DEFECT AND I SHOULD GET MY MONEY REFUNDED!!!
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS HAVING TO DO WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG SYSTEM. MAZDA WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON.
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.
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.