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2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, most often about the transmission (70% of complaints, typically around 49,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about MAZDASPEED3 model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.

Complaints33
Recalls1
Crashes reported1
Fires reported2
Injuries reported2

Most common 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 problems

  1. Transmission

    23 complaints · 70%

    Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, driveline.

    I got into my car and went to put it into reverse and it stuck alittle. Usually, I can move it slightly and it will go into gear but this time it just snapped and fell over into my lap.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 49,600 miles
    As I was driving on the freeway, I heard a loud pop and then a flopping noise. I pulled over to the shoulder and noticed there was oil leaking from the undercarriage and white smoke. After having the vehicle towed to the dealer, it was determined that the transmission was destroyed. After the transmission was removed…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 50,500 miles

  2. Engine

    5 complaints · 15%

    Parts named most often: engine.

    Vehicle motor fails catastrophically without warning causing fire. My wife was driving her Mazda speed3 at highway speed when the motor failed without warning and caused an engine compartment fire. This event happened one time, causing damage to the car the approaches its total loss value. A Mazda dealer has inspected…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 3,607 miles
    When driving at highway speed for an extended period of time, something in the turbo exploded causing the engine to fail and a loss of power in highway traffic.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 128,125 miles

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 MAZDASPEED3 recalls

  1. Visibility and wipers: motor

    NHTSA 11V329000 · June 15, 2011 · 103,300 vehicles

    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.

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.

Questions about the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3?
By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (23 complaints, typically around 49,500 miles); engine (5 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 have?
1 recall 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 MAZDASPEED3?
It is the 2nd most complained-about MAZDASPEED3 model year since 2000, with 33 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.

Other Mazda MAZDASPEED3 years

Mazda MAZDASPEED3 problems by year