2009 Mazda MAZDA3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 115 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (29% of complaints).
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 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that previously there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle and in the trunk. In addition, the contact stated that the odor was very strong, causing her to become light-headed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,212.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2024
“For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2023
“When driving and trying to negotiate a turn, or sometimes when going straight, the power assist steering simply fails (stops assisting the steering). I have to "muscle" the car off the roadway and either restart the engine or stop the car (off the road) straighten the steering wheel, restart the car, and the power assist is restored. This has happened five times in the last 9 months. So far there have been no accidents. The date velow is the most recent date of this failure.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The power steering cuts out while driving and the electricity for the car cuts out for a second or two and then it comes back on. This happens frequently when turning the steering wheel.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2019
“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, while driving in the streets or in the highway, it happened today and during the last week a few times”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2018
“Electric drivers side and rear passenger side window motors have failed three (3) times in the past year. Window will not go up and had to be repaired. While in motion.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2017
“Red tail light lens melted so when you turn on the lights, the tail lights look white instead of red. Did this to both right and left side tail lights using original bulbs. I purchased two new tail light assemblies and installed them myself. After three months the right side tail light again melted so it now looks white.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2016
“Tire pressure sensors defective. I have had to replace all 4 of the sensors because of broken retaining nuts or corroded stems. 3 of the sensors failed during driving, causing an immediate loss of tire pressure, causing me to also replace 3 of my tires. Another failed as I was checking the tire pressure, falling into the tire. Per goodyear tire stores, other manufactures have gone to a replaceable rubber stem because of this, but not mazda. First sensor replaced at mazda dealership approximately mid 2011, second sensor replaced 6/01/2013, third sensor replaced 9/17/2014, and fourth sensor replaced 3/12/2016 all by goodyear tire stores.”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2016
“Tire pressure sensors corrode and fall apart causing tires to go flat instantly. I have had 3 of the original sensors fail and the most recent one (2-16-16) also destroyed the tire. This happened to my wife on 2-16-16. These original sensors are a safety hazard and should be recalled.”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mazda 3. The contact stated that the tail lights melted. The dealer replaced the tail lights; however, the failure persisted. In addition, the brake lights operated at random. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,100 MY 2009 MAZDA3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM". THE YAW RATE MEASURED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SINE WITH DWELL STEERING INPUT EXCEEDED THE TEST STANDARDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 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 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3. The most complained-about area is steering (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electronic stability control (esc). 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.