2008 Mazda MAZDA3

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2019· STEERING

  POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING

• 12/28/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  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.

• 12/27/2012· WHEELS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER MOVING OFF THE ROADWAY AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TRIED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE WHEN THE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TPMS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER TPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

• 12/26/2009· SUSPENSION,TIRES

  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

• 12/24/2009· POWER TRAIN

  FAILURE OF CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AT 27,000 MILES REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. *TR

• 12/19/2011· TIRES

  TPMS FAILURE. THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. ONE OF MY TIRES WAS VERY LOW OVERNIGHT. I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET AIR, AND THE VALVE WAS MISSING. COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME MAKE AND YEAR. 2008 MAZDA 3. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

• 12/18/2012· SUSPENSION

  LIKE OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE REAR TIRE CAMBER. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION AFTER THE 2ND SET OF TIRES. I DIDN'T THINK THAT MUCH OF IT DURING THE FIRST SET OF TIRES AS THE TIRES LASTED FOR APPRX 50K MILES. BUT THE 2ND SET STARTED TO VIBRATE AND RUMBLE LOUDLY AFTER ABOUT 12K MILES. I HAD THEM ALIGNED AND ROTATED BUT THE NOISE AND WEAR BECAME WORSE. I PURCHASED A 3RD SET AND AGAIN HAD THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THE SET LASTED FOR ABOUT 30K MILES. BUT I MUST STATE THAT THE VIBRATION AND NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE, AT THIS POINT. I FINALLY FOUND A MECHANIC THAT UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM. THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE FIXED (DID NOT HAVE AN ADJUSTMENT). THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS (WITH AN ADJUSTABLE SET). THE CAR NOW RIDES SMOOTH AND QUIET. MY QUESTION AND COMPLAINT...MAZDA MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OTHERWISE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL, NONADJUSTABLE. SO WHY, DIDN'T MAZDA OFFER ASSISTANCE? THE REPAIR COST ME OVER $625, NOT INCLUDING THE PREMATURELY WORN TIRES. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. NOW I QUESTION MAZDA'S INTEGRITY AND MAY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *TR

• 12/17/2013· TIRES,WHEELS

  APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I GOT A FLAT TIRE DRIVING ON 1-290 IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ISSUE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE TIRE SENSOR VALVE HAD GONE INTO THE TIRE. I REPLACED SAID TIRE, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE THE ISSUE THREE MORE TIMES ON ALL FOUR TIRES TOTAL. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME WERE TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS APRIL 2013 AND THE FOURTH ONE TODAY 12/17/13. THE SENSORS SEEMED TO BE ROTTING OUT AND THE STEM ENDS UP CORRODING. I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 1,000 IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF FIXING THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY INFURIATING TO SAY THE LEAST. IT SEEMS THAT LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH MANY HAVE HAD, YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. *TR

• 12/16/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  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

• 12/10/2008· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY SON PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3 IN LATE JULY 2008. LAST SATURDAY HE SLID ON ICE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 7000 MILES ON IT. THE INITIAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $9100. I CONTACTED MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500 (DANIEL) TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA DOESN'T SEND AN INVESTIGATOR OUT AND I SHOULD CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (FARMERS) TELLS ME THAT THEY DON'T INVESTIGATE UNLESS THERE IS REASON TO GO AFTER THE MANUFACTURER TO HELP WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T WORK SO THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED RATHER THAN JUST ASSUME THAT THEY WILL NEXT TIME. MY SON SUFFERED WHIPLASH TO HIS NECK AND BACK AND A STRAIN TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER FROM THE SEAT BELT. I BELIEVE THIS WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY TO CUSHION THE IMPACT TO THE TREE. ISN'T THAT WHAT THEY'RE THERE FOR? MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM INTERESTED TO KNOW WHETHER THERE IS A DEFECT OR NOT. *TR

• 12/04/2018· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SINCE THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC MOMENTS WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE PERTAINING TO IT'S ELECTRICAL/TRANSMISSION FUNCTIONALITY. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEEDS (EX. 50MPH) THE MAZDA WOULD BUCKLE, REV ABNORMALLY, ALL WHILE MY GEAR INDICATOR WOULD FLICKER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND CONTINUE ON FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE ABOUT EVERY 20 MINUTE INTERVAL. THIS IS QUITE UNSAFE, AND THE REPAIRS THAT MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING MAZDA THEMSELVES SUGGESTED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE DID NOT ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING UNFORTUNATELY. REPAIRMEN FLUSHED AND REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, REPLACED MY OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR, CHANGED OUT MY SHIFT SOLENOIDS, GEAR SHIFTER, AND EVEN REPLACED MY ENTIRE PCM. I HAVE NOT ONLY TAKEN PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF THESE HORRID INCIDENCES, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER INSTANCES OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE WITH THEIR MAZDA'S AS WELL. IF THERE IS A WAY TO SHOW MY VIDEO EXAMPLES FOR STUDY, THEN I WILL GLADLY SEND THEM.

• 12/04/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE TAIL LIGHTS HAS MELTED, SO WHEN BRAKING OR DRIVING IN THE DARK, THE TAIL LIGHTS SHOW AS A MIX OF RED AND WHITE. THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, BOTH HAVE GONE OUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY START WORKING AGAIN FOR NO REASON, BUT WILL BE OUT AGAIN AFTER A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. *TR

• 12/04/2007· SEAT BELTS

  THE WARNING CHIME FOR SEAT BELTS NOT BEING USED IS INAUDIBLE ON THE 2008 MAZDA3 EVEN WITH ALL ACCESSORIES TURNED OFF. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE CHANGED DUE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT PREVIOUS YEARS WERE TOO LOUD AND PERSISTENT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND DECLARED "THAT'S THE WAY THEY ARE". *TR

• 12/03/2018· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

  #1 AIR BAG WARNING DASH LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2+ YEARS. THERE IS NO MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND I INITIALLY BELIEVED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. #2 BRAKES: VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AND COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY INSPECTED ON 6 NOV 2018. I ASKED THE SHOP TO CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR ABNORMAL PRESSURE. I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT MAINTAINING A FIRM PEDAL PUSH WHILE DRIVING, BUT AT FIRST FELT FIRM THEN SOFTENED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I RETURNED TO THE AUTO SERVICE TO POINT THIS OUT AND THE REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDED NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT AND EARLIER WHILE THEY DROVE IT AROUND THEIR FACILITY IT FELT FINE, THEREFORE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE LIKE THIS. TODAY IS 3 DECEMBER AND IT IS STILL A MUSHY BRAKE.

• 12/03/2014· WHEELS

  THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE TPMS SENSORS BREAK OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE TIRE TO RUN FLAT INSTANTLY POSING A SAFETY THREAT. EACH TIME I TAKE THE TIRE TO THE SHOP AND NOBODY CAN FIND ANYTHING IN THE TIRE AND THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THE TPMS WAS BRITTLE AND BROKE OFF. I AM NOW UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING MY MAZDA 3 BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN MY TIRE IS GOING TO BLOW -- NOT TO MENTION I'VE HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE PERFECTLY GOOD TIRES EVERY TIME ONE OF THE TPMS GO BAD. *JS

• 12/02/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  EACH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT 3 TIMES WITHIN 25,000 MILES AND 1 1/2 YEARS OF DRIVING IT. *TR

• 12/02/2010· POWER TRAIN

  PREMATURE CLUTCH PROBLEMS AT 31K MILES. MY CLUTCH CHATTERS AND ENGAGES POORLY DUE TO A POORLY MADE CLUTCH, WHICH MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD.

• 12/01/2014· WHEELS

  ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VALVE STEMS THAT CONTAINED THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) SENSORS BECAME CORRODED AND FELL APART. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WENT TO FILL TIRES WITH AIR BECAUSE THEY APPEARED TO HAVE LOW AIR PRESSURE. EACH TIME, AS SOON AS I APPLIED SLIGHT PRESSURE FROM THE AIR HOSE TO THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM DISINTEGRATED AND WAS PUSHED INSIDE THE TIRE. IT TOOK VERY LITTLE PRESSURE TO PUSH THE STEM INSIDE THE TIRE. THE TIRE THEN IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED BECAUSE AIR ESCAPED THROUGH THE OPEN HOLE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STATIONARY (BECAUSE I WAS FILLING THE TIRE WITH AIR). BUT, JUDGING FROM THE FACT THAT ONLY A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO PUSH THE VALVE STEM INTO THE TIRE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED VERY EASILY WHILE IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. I FEEL THAT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT I WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT AT ANY POINT AND, AFTER TELLING THE COMPANY ABOUT IT, I FEEL THAT MY CONCERNS WERE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. *JS

• 11/29/2010· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A WASHBOARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS LOOSENED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

• 11/25/2014· TIRES,WHEELS

  THE TIRE VALVE STEM CRACKED WHILE CHECKING AIR PRESSURE ON ONE OF THE TIRES. AFTER THAT THE OTHER STEMS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE READY TO FAIL. HAD THEM ALL REPLACED. *TR

• 11/20/2009· PARKING BRAKECrash

  PARKING BRAKE FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN SLIGHT DECLINE AND SLAMMED INTO A TRUCK. *TR

• 11/18/2013· STEERING,STRUCTURECrash

  THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL ISSUE. THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE BY THE DEALER. I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A BIGGER ISSUE REGARDING "DESIGN NEGLIGENCE" BY MAZDA AS IT RELATES TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON THIS 2008-3. YOU SEE, THE PUMP (AN ITEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING AND VEHICLE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM) IS MOUNTED OUTSIDE THE CAR'S FRAME, JUST FORWARD OF THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. IT IS BASICALLY JUST BEHIND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT/BUMPER/QUARTER PANEL ASSEMBLY. THIS LOCATION MAKES IT VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE IN EVEN MINOR ACCIDENTS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE IN THE VERY INSTANT WHERE CONTROL AND MANEUVERABILITY MAY KEEP OTHERS FROM BEING INJURED OR KILLED. WHAT BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION WAS WHEN A DEER RECENTLY RAN INTO THIS VERY LOCATION AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND THEREFORE UNDRIVABLE. MY DAUGHTER (WHO SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION) WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS VERY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TECHNICALLY DRIVABLE (MINUS QUARTER PANEL, LEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT AND PART OF THE BUMPER COVER) SHE COULD NOT PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE OFFICER WRITING UP THE ACCIDENT REPORT TRIED TO MANEUVER THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD TO A SAFER LOCATION AND WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE TURNING OF THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT A HIGHER SPEED AND ON A BUSIER ROADWAY OR HIGHWAY. THIS TYPE OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND PROSECUTED. CAR MANUFACTURERS NEED TO BE MADE TO LOCATE CRITICAL SAFETY, HANDLING, AND MANUEVERABILITY COMPONENTS/EQUIPMENT IN PLACES AFFORDED SOME REASONABLE MEASURE OF PROTECTION AND SURVIVABILITY IN MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. *TR

• 11/18/2010· VISIBILITY

  MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN. NOT ONLY WAS THIS DANGEROUS BUT ALSO SCARY AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AS I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE OF 285 IN ATLANTA TO THE CLOSEST EXIT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $340. I HAD MY LAST MAZDA FOR 9 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STALL OR JUST STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER WHEN ITS RAINING, WHICH IS REALLY DEFEATING THE PURPOSE. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THESE NONFUCTINING WIPER MOTORS WITH LESS THAN A 3 YEAR LIFE SPAN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!!!! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND I AM NOT SURE IF THE NEXT CAR I PURCHASE WILL BE A MAZDA. *TR

• 11/16/2011· TIRES,WHEELS

  TIRE SENSOR CAME ON DURING DRIVE INTO WORK. MADE TO CALL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY LUNCH TIME THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THE STEM OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF. WHEN I GOT THE CAR TO A DEALER THEY STATE 3 OF THE 4 MONITORS HAD CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS ADDED NEARLY $400 DOLLARS TO GETTING THE TIRES ON THE CAR REPLACED. HOW IS IT A TIRE SENSOR CAN'T LAST AS LONG AS THE TIRES ON A BRAND NEW CAR? IF A TIRE SENSOR IS ADDED TO A CAR TO MAKE IT SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT MAYBE IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS AND NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO BECOME UNSAFE. *TR

• 11/16/2009· SUSPENSION

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

• 11/14/2011· TIRES,WHEELS

  FACTORY TIRES (GOODYEAR RSA) WORE OUT IN <15K, EXCESSIVE INSIDE WEAR. REPLACED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA GRID G019 205/50/R17. STARTED SHOWING INSIDE WEAR AROUND 45K, AND EXTREMELY LOUD ROAD NOISE AT 50K. ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AS PER WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS. ALIGNMENT IS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. CAR HAS NEVER TOUCHED A TRACK AND IS USED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE. ONLINE REPORTS HAVE BLAMED THE CAMBER WHICH IS NOT ADJUSTABLE ON THE MAZDA 3. SO THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. SERIOUS DEFECT AND DANGEROUS. *TR

• 11/13/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

  2008 MAZDA 3 WAS STRUCK WHILE PARKED. MONTHS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND REPEATEDLY WENT TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUE. LAST ENCOUNTER WITH DEALERSHIP(OCT 2014), THEY CHECKED THE AIR BAG AND CONCLUDED IT WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE, AND STATED THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM AUTO ACCIDENT. COMPLAINED TO MY INSURANCE CO AND RE-OPENED CLAIM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY(NOV 2014) CONCLUDED FROM WHERE THE CAR WAS IMPACTED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIR BAG IS NOT THEIR ISSUE AND DID NOT STEM FROM CAUSE OF IMPACT. AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED WITH MAZDA CO. WITH ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS WITH FAULTY AIR BAGS MADE BY TAKATA(COMPANY WHOM MAKE AIRBAGS), SOMETHING IS TOTALLY WRONG. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

• 11/12/2012· TIRES,WHEELS

  THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. SPECIFIC INCIDENTS: 1. WARNING LIGHT FLASHES OR LIGHTS WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS WITHIN THE SPECIFICATION LIMITS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. 2. ONE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FELL APART ON INSPECTION, AFTER WARNING OF A LEAK. DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. 3. ONE OF THE TIRE VALVES (AND HENCE PRESSURE SENSOR) WAS LEAKING AIR WHEN THE VALVE CAP WAS REMOVED, REPLACING THE VALVE CAP HELD THE AIR IN THE TIRE. DEALER ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AT NO CHARGE. 4. ONE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED. DEALER STATED IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME FOR REPLACEMENT. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD. SENSORS SEEMED TO BE MORE IRREGULAR AFTER DRIVING ON ROUGH HIGHWAY ROADS, WHERE A LAYER OF ASPHALT HAD BEEN REMOVED. *TR

• 11/11/2012· ENGINE

  PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT INOP AFTER ONLY 67,000 MILES. *TR

• 11/10/2023· POWER TRAIN

  Transmission control module.

• 11/08/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS CAUSING A DETECTABLE NOISE AT THE EXHAUST FLANGE SEAL. *TR

• 11/07/2019· STEERING

  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.

• 11/07/2017· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO REASON

• 11/05/2011· TIRES

  TIRE VALVE SPLIT AND ENTERED TIRE WELL CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE VALVE 115.00 $ BUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE THE LITTLE WAYS THAT I DROVE ON IT TO PULL OVER SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE!!! THIS IS NOW THE SECOND VALVE THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, LUCKILY THE FIRST WAS DISCOVERED BY THE MECHANIC WHILE REPLACING MY TIRES. THE OTHER TWO SEEM TO BE ON THERE WAY OUT AS WELL. *TR

• 11/02/2017· ENGINE

  JULY 11, 2011. 34443 MILES. CONSTANT RUNNING OF ELECTRIC RADIATOR FAN WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING CAUSED BY COMPLETE FAILURE OF OEM WATER PUMP. UNIT REPLACED BY ANOTHER OEM WATER PUMP. NOVEMBER 01, 2017. 97841 MILES. COMPLETE FAILURE OF SECOND OEM WATER PUMP. UNIT REPLACED BY A THIRD OEM WATER PUMP.

• 10/31/2011· TIRES

  2008 MAZDA 3 4-DOOR - TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR VALVE IS CORRODED AND SPLIT. A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WILL CHECK IF WARRANTY COVERS REPLACEMENT TPM, BUT FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, PROBABLY NOT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY NOW. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON BECAUSE IT APPEARS AIR IS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. MAZDA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE POOR QUALITY TPM'S. *TR

• 10/30/2015· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT INSIDE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WON'T COME OFF.

• 10/29/2013· ENGINE

  OVERFLOW BOTTLE CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE COSTING MORE THAN 1500 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE MECHANIC ENCOURAGE THAT I REPORT BECAUSE HE SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT MAZDA IS KNOWN FOR HAVING THIS DEFECT. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR

• 10/29/2009· TIRES

  ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT EAGLE-RSA 205/50VR17 TIRES ON MY MAZDA 3- 5DOOR ARE SHOWING EXAGGERATED WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN IF I DO THE TREADWEAR CALCULATION, I SHOULD HAVE REACHED 18,720 MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. AT 17,MILES, THE TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS. EVEN BEFORE THAT, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE EXTREMELY POOR WET AND SNOW TRACTION OF THE "ALL SEASON" TIRES. UNLESS IT IS DRY AND ABOVE 60 DEGREES, THESE TIRES HAVE LITTLE TO NO TRACTION. ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF MY STREET ON TWO RAINY DAYS HAS RESULTED IN UNNECESSARY WHEELSPIN AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS WAS BEFORE 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 18 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED WHEELSPIN IN THE RAIN WITH MY 1970 MERCURY WITH 300HP. AT A MINIMUM, GOODYEAR SHOULD BE HIT WITH A FALSE ADVERTISING SUIT FOR ADVERTISING THE EAGLE-RSA AS AN "ALL SEASON" TIRE. I AGREE WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINANT THAT GOODYEAR MIGHT BE INTENTIONALLY NOT GIVING WARRANTY'S FOR THE TIRES AGAINST WEAR BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PRODUCT WILL NOT LAST THAT LONG. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST SET OF GOODYEARS THAT HAVE NOT MADE IT TO THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY. I HAD ASKED THE DEALER TO SWITCH TIRES WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT ALL OF THE MAZDA3- 5DOORS ON THE LOT HAD THE SAME AWFUL TIRES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEARS OR A VEHICLE THAT HAS THEM AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. *TR

• 10/27/2015· STEERINGCrash

  STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS CURVING TO THE RIGHT. CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND RAN ALONG A RAIL UNTIL THE I BRAKED THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. LAST YEAR I HAD THE MAZDA SERVICED WHICH THEY HAD FIXED THE RECALL SUPPOSEDLY. BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. I MAY NOT BE LUCKY THE NEXT TIME.

• 10/25/2010· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2008 MAZDA 3 CAUSING A CRASH. MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IN IT'S LETTER TO MAZDA 3 OWNERS BUT STATED IT HAD NO PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHILE STILL WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FROM MAZDA, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR FAILED ON A BUSY CITY STREET CAUSING THE DRIVER LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. *TR

• 10/24/2011· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE GROUND HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 01/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A WIRE WAS FOUND NOT PROPERLY SECURED. UPDATED 01/19/12

• 10/23/2012· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER TAKING THE CARE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND THE SENSOR MUST HAVE GOTTEN WET, POSSIBLY FROM CONDENSATION. BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO PLACE AN AIRBAG SENSOR, UNDER A CUPHOLDER, THAT CAN BE SO EASILY DAMAGED BY DRINK CONDENSATION. *TR

• 10/22/2014· TIRES,WHEELS

  THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOPPED TO FILL MY TIRES, THE FORCE OF THE AIR HOSE BLEW THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INTO MY TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER 3 SENSORS WERE CLOSE TO WEARING THROUGH AS WELL. *TR

• 10/22/2012· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

• 10/21/2008· 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 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

• 10/17/2009· TIRES

  I OWN A MAZDA 3, PURCHASED 7/08, CAR HAS 20K MILES, THE GOODYEAR TIRES RSA 205-50R-17 NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECT IN A PART TO CORRECT A REAR CAMBER ISSUE, THE DEFECT CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND HAVE VERY LOW TREAD LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND ZONE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART BUT I AM HAVING DIFFICULTLY HAVING THEM PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN EFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE PART THEREFORE THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THE FULL COST OF REPLACEMENT TIRES. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE REAR CAMBER PART ISSUE SINCE GOOD TIRES LEADS TO SAFETY. *TR

• 10/14/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO TRACTION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

• 10/14/2011· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. THERE WAS NO NOTICED VIBRATION WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS IN DRIVE, WITH THE HOOD POPPED, THE ENGINE WAS NOTICEABLY PITCHING FORWARD AND RETURNING TO IT'S DEFAULT POSITION WHEN THE GAS WAS RELEASED. I CHECKED RECALLS AND THERE WERE NONE SHOWN, BUT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. LOCAL MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN. *TR

• 10/09/2012· SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS

  SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I HAVE TO GET THE ALIGNMENT DONE AS OFTEN AS I GET THE OIL CHANGE DONE. WHEN YOU ARE GOING OVER 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING A 4 X 4. THERE IS ALSO A HORRIBLE ROARING ONCE YOU GET TO 45 MPH. THE ROARING AND SHAKING GOES AWAY RIGHT AFTER I HAVE MY CAR ALIGNED, BUT, AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT STARTS COMING BACK. I HAVE CHANGED THE TYPE OF TIRES THAT I PUT ON MY CAR THINKING IT MAY HELP, BUT, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY DIFFERENT WITH THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRES I HAVE PUT ON MY CAR. *TR