2008 Mazda MAZDA3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 303 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (37% of complaints); the 2006 and 2009 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2024
“Drivers side lower control arm failed at the lower ball joint mounting hole, allowing the ball joint to separate from the arm. All vehicle steering and control was lost due to the failure. This failure: 1. Has extreme danger for traffic fatalities. 2. Suggests substandard materials, design, or manufacturing. Control arm manufacturer: DLZ Sold by: partsgoing Vendor: Amazon.com”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2022
“My mazda3 dies while I am driving without any indication of what is going on (no check engine light). When it does, I wait for a while and it will start back up again! My shop and I have tried everything we can, but we can't figure out why it is doing that! I called the manufacture and they said it was recalled for power steering assist failure and fixed in 2010 but to us it sounds it is that issue causing it to stop while in motion! This car is unsafe!! No car should stop in motion from nowhere! The manufacture should be responsible for that!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“At and yellow check engine light came on and car was in limp mode first thing in morning after having no issues with my mazda previously. Codes came back with solenoids a, b, c, d, e all have electrical failure, and issues with the oxygen sensor. My car has had regular maintenance done on it. No signs or symptoms of transmission failure beforehand. Happened instantly overnight. Tcm is not in stock anywhere and I suspect that is the culprit due to other mazda owners similar situations. 95k miles.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2020
“The car hit a bank then went airborne and came to to a tree and neither airbag deployed the car also hit a road sign and it was being driving down road”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“The vehicle suddenly jerks, pulls, stops after about 10 minutes running time. Told by mechanic that it is the transmission control module. He said this model is notorious for having them fail. They are on back order with mazda with no lead time, which also says something. The vehicle is very dangerous to drive. Mechanic said the original design has bad placement which causes them to heat up and fail.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2020
“Loss of steering, immediately fixed itself but with steering wheel light on dash. Vehicle in motion. Loss of ability to steer vehicle. Vehicle was in motion.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2019
“This vehicle has had 3 repeated major service repair attempts related to the tcm, pcm at light, check engine/transmission light trying to resolve this issue permanently. This vehicle was in motion and stationary on a city street when experiencing all of these problems. This vehicle has only approximately 68,000 miles. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed by mazda or buy back this vehicle. No one should have to be faced with these kinds of concerns. These systemic issues has not been favorable in my view and will having a major determing effect in future car purchase. Brand loyalty. [blah, blah, blah...] 4-3-2019 at 9:27am”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2019
“The brakes normally function correctly except for when, and for some time after the ABS activates. After the ABS activates you must push the brake petal nearly to the floor before the brakes engage. Usually, the brakes seem to "reset" after 3 or 4 hard braking attempts.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2019
“The vehicle when in motion attempting to brake has soft brakes that when engaged, the brake pedal moves to aprox. 1 inch from the floor. The brakes only slightly engage, however, if needed the ABS system and the braking ability is hindered when hard stopping. The rotors and pads were replaced, and the brake lines bled hoping to solve the issue. Yet, further diagnostics show that the ABS control module is faulty.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 29 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Remedy: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MAZDA3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
NHTSA has 303 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3. The most complained-about area is steering (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,900 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.