Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1325–50K
450–75K
775–100K
2100–150K
0150K+
30 reports with mileage · 3 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.
Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
20,000 miles · Nov 4, 2008
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. HE THEN IMMEDIATELY CRASHED INTO THE ROAD BARRIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIV…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. HE THEN IMMEDIATELY CRASHED INTO THE ROAD BARRIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WOULD NOT ADJUST SECURELY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10247675
4,000 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Power TrainStructureSuspension
A MOTOR MOUNT BROKE ON MY 2008 MAZDASPEED3 CAUSING THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING PARTS: TRANSMISSION TWO MOTOR MOUNTS BYPASS VALVE VEHICLE WIRING HARNESS DRIVERS SIDE AXLE MY DEALERSHIP TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO MAZDA. MAZDA SAYS THE VEHICLE WAS OVER DRIVEN AND THIS IS WHY THE MOUNT FAILED. THEY WILL NOT…
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A MOTOR MOUNT BROKE ON MY 2008 MAZDASPEED3 CAUSING THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING PARTS: TRANSMISSION TWO MOTOR MOUNTS BYPASS VALVE VEHICLE WIRING HARNESS DRIVERS SIDE AXLE MY DEALERSHIP TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO MAZDA. MAZDA SAYS THE VEHICLE WAS OVER DRIVEN AND THIS IS WHY THE MOUNT FAILED. THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THE DAMAGES AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN THREE MONTHS OLD. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE THAT WAS ABNORMAL. THERE WAS AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT. THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED BEFORE THIS APPOINTMENT. THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. I DON'T FEEL THAT PICTURES CAN DETERMINE THAT IT WAS NOT A DEFECT. ALSO, PEOPLE DROVE THE CAR BEFORE I DID AND THAT COULD CAUSE THE BELIEF OF BEING OVER DRIVEN. TEST DRIVES WITH CUSTOMERS WOULD BE WHAT I'M REFERRING TO. ALSO, WE DON'T KNOW HOW HARD THE SALES PEOPLE DROVE THE CAR EITHER. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. SOME OF THOSE WERE WARRANTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239375
13,572 miles · Aug 1, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFireInjury
WAS DRIVING MY 08 MAZDA SPEED 3 HOME FROM BEING OUT AND WHEN I GOT HOME SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I LOOKED AROUND THE INSIDE TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T DROP A CIGARETTE AND WHEN I DIDN'T SEE ANY I GOT OUT AND POPPED OPENED THE HOOD AND WHEN I DID THE MOTOR BURST INTO FLAMES GIVING ME FIRST DEGREE BURNS ACROSS MY FACE AND LEFT ARM. N…
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WAS DRIVING MY 08 MAZDA SPEED 3 HOME FROM BEING OUT AND WHEN I GOT HOME SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I LOOKED AROUND THE INSIDE TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T DROP A CIGARETTE AND WHEN I DIDN'T SEE ANY I GOT OUT AND POPPED OPENED THE HOOD AND WHEN I DID THE MOTOR BURST INTO FLAMES GIVING ME FIRST DEGREE BURNS ACROSS MY FACE AND LEFT ARM. NOTHING HAS BEEN BY MAZDA OR ANYONE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF WHY IT HAPPENED. *TR
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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