KnownCarProblems2009 Mazda Mazda3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda Mazda3, most often about the wheels and tires (31% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). It is 11th of 23 Mazda3 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Wheels and tires
36 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve.
On or about october 2010 I was driving my 2009 Mazda 3 when I had a sudden loss of tire pressure, when I looked at the tire I noticed the tire valve had sheared clean off the tire. Today (2/13/11) I filled my tires with air and a second tire valve sheared off in the process causing the tire to rapidly deflate. I've…
I have had three OEM valve stems rot out and completely fall into the tire causing a rapid deflation and risk of control loss of the vehicle. The first valve stem rotted out in 2012 and was replaced. I assumed it was an isolated incident (stuff happens). In the last 2 months the second and 3rd valve stem rotted out…
Steering
35 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
Just completed a trip of approximately 200 miles. Upon turning into a parking space, the power steering light on the dash came on and the vehicle lost its power steering. Very hard steering when trying to finish parking the vehicle. Waited about an hour, started the car and the power steering was again operational.
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda, Mazda3. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway, proceeded into the left lane and the vehicle unexpectedly swayed from the left to right direction without engaging the steering wheel. In addition, the engine exhibited a loud roaring noise. The contact was able to gain…
Brakes
8 complaints · 7%Car is a 2009 Mazda speed3, one month old. I set the brake of the car and it only went up 2 clicks. The car rolled down the driveway with nobody in the car and hit a tree. Emergency brake hard to pull up to set properly. I did a test on a steep slope, and the ebrake did not hold. A hard yank with two hands made the…
Severe steering shake when braking at high speeds. Was told by dealership that it is not a warranty issue even though the vehicle is only 14 mos. Old with 18,000 miles.
Transmission
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
My 2009 Mazda 3 has experienced over heating of the transaxle (transmission) when operating in outside temperatures of 100 degrees and over. I have taken it to the dealer and talked to Mazda corp. And they have not been able to resolve the problem. Their only advice is to pull over and let the transmission cool down.…
Premature transmission failure due to catastrophic clutch failure from the clutch plate itself on 2009 Mazda3 with only 18,000 miles on it. Car was bought new from dealership. Clutch failure resulted in an incident of loss of control over the vehicle in 3 lanes of traffic due to loss of power through the driveline.
Air bags
5 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Mazda 3. While driving approximately 5 MPH a tractor trailer driving 45 MPH crashed into the front driver side of his vehicle. The vehicle was completely destroyed, and none of the air bags deployed. The police and ambulance were notified. The driver was transported to the hospital and sustained…
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 60 MPH when the vehicle crashed into another vehicle head on. The air bags failed to deploy. The crash caused head injuries to the driver. The police were contacted and a report was on file. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle…
Electrical
5 complaints · 4%Purchased vehicle on 7/09. On 1/6/10, vehicle failed to start, at first cranking with no engine start then complete discharge of systems (no cranking, no battery power whatsoever). Brought into dealership and was told "main relay" was defective and was the reason battery was not holding its charge. Relay was replaced.…
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.
Fuel system
5 complaints · 4%I have a 2009 Mazda 3 with 9200 miles. Their have been instances where the check engine light illuminates indicating the gas cap is not secure. Today, 8/11/2010 the gas cap was stuck and had to take it to the dealer to get removed and install a new gas cap. The service man, jim coltrep said that he has heard about gas…
I have taken my Mazda 3 to be checked out 2 times due to the engine light coming on. Both times I was told it was the gas cap. I am told this has been a recall for other Mazda vehicle but not mine. I have owned my vehicle for 4 years and it has happened 2 times. Can someone please look into this to have this problem…
Lights
5 complaints · 4%Red inner coating on tail lights appears to have melted, making a hole that shows white light through the tail light lens so that when I am braking, it looks like I might have my backup lights on. This problem was first noticed several months ago (mid-2012) by a friend who was following me on a trip at night. At the…
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Improper operation of the electronic stability control.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2009 Mazda Mazda3
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda Mazda3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (36 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); steering (35 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles); brakes (8 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 have?
- 3 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 2009 a bad year for the Mazda Mazda3?
- It is 11th of 23 Mazda3 model years by number of complaints, with 115 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.