KnownCarProblems2008 Mazda Mazda3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 303 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, most often about the steering (39% of complaints, typically around 34,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Mazda3 model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Steering
117 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system.
I own a 2008, Mazda 3. It has about 34,000 miles. I was in rush hour traffic on route 75 just outside of cincinnati when all of the sudden my power steering went out. I could barely turn the steering wheel and four lanes of traffic were directed off an exit because of an accident closing the highway..this was…
The power steering went out on our Mazda 3 while driving down a busy road. It happened unexpectedly and severely enough that my husband had difficulty controlling the car and had to pull over. All fluids were full and we have regular maintenance done on the car. Called our Mazda service department and they tried to…
Wheels and tires
54 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve.
While driving on highway on july 29, 2013 I have experienced a serious safety issue with my 2008 Mazda 3 hatchback. The issue resulted in significant pull to the left side and lost of air/flat tire on the front driver side wheel. The reason behind this fault was a defective valve stem. After inspecting all the other…
While driving on highway on july 29, 2013 I have experienced a serious safety issue with my 2008 Mazda 3 hatchback. The issue resulted in significant pull to the left side and lost of air/flat tire on the front driver side wheel. The reason behind this fault was a defective valve stem. After inspecting all the other…
Engine
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
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.…
Aeveral recalls for 2008 Mazda3..... However my VIN isnt assosiated with any and I have all the problema. Power steerings unit stripped2 or the 3 bolts holes ans fell down from cracked engine mounts slight rattling..... Stationary and moving. Idle is at 500-1,000 rpms very odd feeling. Random body damage and entire of…
Air bags
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Mazda, Mazda3. The contact was involved in a crash when someone ran them off the road and caused the vehicle to roll over and go into the bottom of a ravine. The contact was not injured, but was concerned since the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated the…
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…
Brakes
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
I was driving on a 30 MPH road near my apartment and when I went to brake while moving, the brakes failed on my Mazda 3. I was pressing the brakes and then all of the sudden the pedal went to the floor and the car continued rolling. Luckily the car was not going fast and was able to roll to a stop with just the hand…
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…
Electrical
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
My windshield wipers stopped working. After a visit to the shop, I learned that my micro computer was not working and needed to be replaced. This repair cost $729. After some research I found that this is a very common problem with Mazda 3s made around 2008. My car is only 5 years old with fairly low mileage, I…
In the past month the radio, lights, the cluster, all shut down and restart as driving. Last night as driving on telegraph rd, 45 MPH, the power steering suddenly stopped working, I could not control the car, and another vehicle behind me almost hit me, as I was switching in neutral, and back in drive. All of the…
Lights
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
My left rear tail red tail light went out. I tried to change it but it has melted to the wires and the light housing. I am unable to change it. I am afraid this melting is a dangerous issue because it's a possible fire hazard. I searched the internet and have found many other Mazda owners with this same issue. Others…
On my Mazda3 I have noticed that driving at night has become more difficult due the head lights were not shining bright enough. I noticed now during the day time that the head light clear covers are corroded. It looks like there is condensation inside the head light cover housing and it has corroded the light covers.…
Suspension
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
2008 Mazda3, alignment within manufacturer specs, but there is uneven wear on the rear driverside tire. As generally a tire as 4 parts of tread, the 3 outer treads are exactly the same side and the 1 inner tread is excessively worn. There is no angled wear on the tire toward the excessive wear, 3 high treads and 1 low…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: The loss of wiper function in adverse weather could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of electric power steering assist
Summary
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 tem
Questions about the 2008 Mazda Mazda3
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (117 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles); wheels and tires (54 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 15, 2011 (visibility and wipers). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Mazda Mazda3?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Mazda3 model year since 2000, with 303 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.