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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.

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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

Suspension complaints

15 reports
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21,000 miles · Dec 26, 2009
SuspensionTires

IN EARLY AUGUST 2009 AT APPROX. 21K MILES WHEN I PERFORMED MY 7500 MILE TIRE ROTATION I NOTICED THAT ALL THE 4 OE GOOD YEAR RSA TIRES WERE VERY WORN ON THE INSIDE, NOT THE THREAD AREA BUT THE AREA WHERE THE SIDEWALL STARTS. I HAD NOTICED THIS BEFORE BUT HAD NOT THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AS IT WASN'T TOO BAD. I DROVE ON A 500 MILE TRI…

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IN EARLY AUGUST 2009 AT APPROX. 21K MILES WHEN I PERFORMED MY 7500 MILE TIRE ROTATION I NOTICED THAT ALL THE 4 OE GOOD YEAR RSA TIRES WERE VERY WORN ON THE INSIDE, NOT THE THREAD AREA BUT THE AREA WHERE THE SIDEWALL STARTS. I HAD NOTICED THIS BEFORE BUT HAD NOT THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AS IT WASN'T TOO BAD. I DROVE ON A 500 MILE TRIP SHORTLY AFTER THIS AND BECAME MORE CONCERNED . I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AT THE DESTINATION AND IT WAS WITHIN MFG. SPEC. THE ALIGNMENT PEOPLE SAID THE CAUSE WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE NEGATIVE CAMBER ON THE REAR WHEELS WHICH AT -2.3 AND -1.7 WAS PROBABLY THE REASON FOR THE WEAR AND THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. MAZDA DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR ADJUSTING THE REAR CAMBER. NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES AT THE TIME, THINKING MAYBE IT WAS A OVERZEALOUS SALES EFFORT, AND TO ME THE TIRES STILL LOOKED USABLE I DIDN'T REPLACE THEM. NOW AT 27K MILES I HAVE THE RESOURCES TO REPLACE THEM AND THE AREA ON THE INSIDE CORNER IN MUCH MORE WORN. MAZDA GIVES NO EXPLANATION, ONE SAID SHOULD ROTATE @ 5K MILES, ANOTHER SAYS THEY PUT CRAPPY TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. ON THE INTERNET, PEOPLE WHO REPLACE THE TIRES SAY THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER THAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT, WITH A SOUR ECONOMY MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD REPLACEMENT TIRES, MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OR PAY TO ROTATE TIRES AND MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT CHECK THEM AT ALL. AT THE MINIMUM MAZDA SHOULD PROVIDE FOR ADJUSTMENT OF THE REAR CAMBER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296975

17,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Suspension

REAR CAMBER IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292420

27,514 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3 SEDAN. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE CAMBER CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND THE F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3 SEDAN. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE CAMBER CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,514. UPDATED 09/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/23/09

NHTSA ODI #10280970

12,000 miles · Jul 8, 2009
Suspension

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3S IN OCTOBER 07 WITH TOYO TIRES. AT 12,000 MILES MY TIRES WERE DOWN TO SAFETY BAR...HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. THE TOYO TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE REAR CAMBER ON THE CAR WAS THE PROBLEM. MAZDA SAYS CAMBER CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. TOYO TIRE PEOPLE SAY THE PROBLEM IS THE AGGRESSIVE REAR CAMBER AND THA…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3S IN OCTOBER 07 WITH TOYO TIRES. AT 12,000 MILES MY TIRES WERE DOWN TO SAFETY BAR...HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. THE TOYO TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE REAR CAMBER ON THE CAR WAS THE PROBLEM. MAZDA SAYS CAMBER CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. TOYO TIRE PEOPLE SAY THE PROBLEM IS THE AGGRESSIVE REAR CAMBER AND THAT IS THE WAY MAZDA BUILT IT. I ONLY GOT 17,000 MILES ON NEW SET OF TIRES. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TRYING TO GET MAZDA TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEM ALWAYS SAYING THE CAMBER WAS WITHIN SPECS. THE DEALER FINALLY ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS THEIR DESIGN FLAW, THEY SHOULD PUT A DISCLAIMER WITH THE CAR AT TIME OF PURCHASE THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE TIRES EVERY 15,000 MILES. AFTER REVIEWING ON LINE, I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL BLOGS OF MAZDA OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO PROVIDE THE PART TO FIX THE CAR. WHO EXPECTS TO HAVE TO PURCHASE TIRES EVERY 15,000 MILES WHEN THEY ARE RATED FOR 40-60,000 MILES. AT THIS TIME, MY CAR WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE TIRES AND I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES. THIS IS WRONG....AND MAZDA NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS POOR ENGINEERING/DESIGN AND INFORM NEW BUYERS OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR CAR. MAZDA ACTS LIKE THIS IS NORMAL TIRE WEAR BECAUSE THE MAZDA 3S HAS "SPIRITED HANDLING". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276148

4,000 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING A 2008 MAZDA3 I 2.0L SEDAN, I BEGAN TO FEEL A SHAKE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND CHASSIS WHILE IDLING/DRIVING. DEALER VERIFIED SHAKE AND PER TSB DUE TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM, REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS. CAR FELT BETTER BUT NOT COMPLETELY FREE OF ENGINE SHAKE AND NOW APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. WHEN THE ENG…

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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING A 2008 MAZDA3 I 2.0L SEDAN, I BEGAN TO FEEL A SHAKE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND CHASSIS WHILE IDLING/DRIVING. DEALER VERIFIED SHAKE AND PER TSB DUE TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM, REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS. CAR FELT BETTER BUT NOT COMPLETELY FREE OF ENGINE SHAKE AND NOW APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED COLD IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE CAR AND WHEN WARM A SUTTLE BUT NOTICEABLE SHAKE IS STILL FELT THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND CHASSIS. AFTER READING NUMEROUS POSTS ON MAZDA3 ENTHUSIAST WEBSITES, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AND ONGOING PROBLEM SPANNING SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242389

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.