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2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

256 reports with mileage · 47 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 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports1 fire reports16 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
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87,637 miles · Dec 16, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 12/13/14, CAR WOULDN'T START 12/14/14, HAD TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP 12/15/14 AND WAS TOLD ENGINE WAS FLOODED BECAUSE THE CAR COULDN'T METER AIR CORRECTLY AND OVER FUELED THE CAR. SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTER AND THROTTLE BODY WERE ALL GUMMED UP AND DIRTY DUE TO THIS. REPAIR SHOP CHECKED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BU…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 12/13/14, CAR WOULDN'T START 12/14/14, HAD TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP 12/15/14 AND WAS TOLD ENGINE WAS FLOODED BECAUSE THE CAR COULDN'T METER AIR CORRECTLY AND OVER FUELED THE CAR. SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTER AND THROTTLE BODY WERE ALL GUMMED UP AND DIRTY DUE TO THIS. REPAIR SHOP CHECKED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELATING TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A A KNOWN ISSUE. THEY HAD TO MODIFY A BRACKET AND SPLICE IN NEW WIRE WHERE IT WAS RUBBED THROUGH BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. IF THIS IS TRULY A COMMON DEFECT MAZDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON IT AND REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664617

24,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

ONE TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER AN APPROXIMATE 3 MONTH PERIOD THE GAS CAP COULD NOT BE UNSCREWED AND REMAINED AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE POTENTIAL TO BE UNABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE AND RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING OR IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. BOTH TIMES I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND…

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ONE TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER AN APPROXIMATE 3 MONTH PERIOD THE GAS CAP COULD NOT BE UNSCREWED AND REMAINED AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE POTENTIAL TO BE UNABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE AND RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING OR IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. BOTH TIMES I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE HAD "MANY" MAZDA 3 OWNERS BRING THEIR CARS IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10380350

500 miles · May 25, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER MY FIRST GAS FUEL FILL-UP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE FUEL CAP BUT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE FUEL CAP. AFTER TRYING FOR 15 MINUTES, IT FINALLY CAME OFF. AFTER PUTTING THE CAP BACK ON AND DRIVING A WHILE, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CAR ONLY HAD 500 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER EXAMINED …

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AFTER MY FIRST GAS FUEL FILL-UP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE FUEL CAP BUT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE FUEL CAP. AFTER TRYING FOR 15 MINUTES, IT FINALLY CAME OFF. AFTER PUTTING THE CAP BACK ON AND DRIVING A WHILE, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CAR ONLY HAD 500 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE CAP AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WE WERE ABLE TO PLACE AND REMOVE THE CAP WITH NO PROBLEM. ON MY NEXT 2 FILL-UPS THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I BOUGHT A STAND REPLACEMENT CAP AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AFTER 6,200 MILES. I BELIEVE THE OEM CAP HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE REPLACEMENT'S LATCHING TABS HAVE A DIFFERENT SHAPE AND IT WORKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269889

12,311 miles · Oct 21, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2008 MAZDA3 THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STARTED LURCHING & BUCKING AS SHE APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT FINALLY QUIT RUNNING & SHE HAD TO LEAVE IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I ARRIVED I FOUND THAT THE CAR DID THE SAME TO ME. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK & HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS …

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I OWN A 2008 MAZDA3 THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STARTED LURCHING & BUCKING AS SHE APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT FINALLY QUIT RUNNING & SHE HAD TO LEAVE IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I ARRIVED I FOUND THAT THE CAR DID THE SAME TO ME. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK & HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THINKING IT WOULD BE A WARRANTY ISSUE. WHEN I WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN OVER FILLED WITH GAS, WHICH ALLOWED GAS TO FLOW INTO THE PURGE SOLENOID & THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS POSSIBLE! THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THESE BEING FULL OF GAS WAS THE REASON THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY. I QUESTIONED THEM THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW BY MAZDA & SHOULD BE ADDRESSED! THEY TOLD ME THAT MAZDA WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME BECAUSE IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE TANK WAS OVER FILLED WITH GAS. TO ME IF YOU HAVE GAS FLOWING INTO COMPONENTS OF THE CAR WITCH AREN'T INTENDED IN HOLDING GAS, THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE CAR IS EVER IN A COLLISION! I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY DAUGHTER & DO NOT WANT HER TRAPPED INSIDE OF A BURNING CAR IF THESE COMPONENTS KEEP FILLING UP WITH GAS & SHE IS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE & THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OVERFILLED WITH GAS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WILL KEEP HAPPENING AS LONG AS I OVER FILL THE TANK & TO NOT MAKE A COMPLETE FILL UP TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS & I DO HAVE THE PARTS THAT WERE REMOVED. I HOPE SOMEONE, WITH YOU, CAN HELP ME SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A COLLISION & A FIRE ERUPTS FROM GAS BEING ABLE TO FLOW INTO PLACES IT SHOULDN'T BE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246243

1,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL CAP ON CAR GOT STUCK AND TOOK TEN MINUTES TO REMOVE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED NEXT TIME CAR NEEDED REFUELING. AGAIN, HAD TO TRY FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES BEFORE CAP COULD BE REMOVED AND WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE WHAT WE DID TO MAKE IT COME OFF. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.....THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN THE CAP BREAKS OR WE JUST CAN'T GET …

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FUEL CAP ON CAR GOT STUCK AND TOOK TEN MINUTES TO REMOVE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED NEXT TIME CAR NEEDED REFUELING. AGAIN, HAD TO TRY FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES BEFORE CAP COULD BE REMOVED AND WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE WHAT WE DID TO MAKE IT COME OFF. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.....THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN THE CAP BREAKS OR WE JUST CAN'T GET IT OFF AND WILL END UP STRANDED WITH NO GAS. OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243877

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2008
Air BagsFuel System, Gasoline

FGHFGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240566

Official recalls

2

11V329000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Jun 15, 2011

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, 2008. THE GROUND TERMINAL OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY BENT DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS THEN OVER TIME THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THE MOTOR CIRCUIT MAY INCREASE UP TO A POINT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND HARNESS ON THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

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.