2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
387
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 387 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (109 complaints), Wheels (33 complaints), and Tires (27 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 320,623 vehicles.
Recall 11V329000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
| 103,300 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 10V374000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 215,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 09E011000 — EQUIPMENT
| 2,323 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3
387 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.
There is a plastic ring on top of the gas tank that holds down the fuel pump.I filled up my tank and looked under the car afterwards,at this time I noticed gas coming out from the tank until is was flushed with the top and then stopped.I pulled out the back seat,found the inspection plate and for sure this was and did happen,now nothing could be done at the time because the inspection plat hole was smaller than the ring,the tank had to be dropped.It had to be fixed,about $600.00 later and tank filled up it was repaired.I still have the ring and pictures where the ring was cracked around the threads.send me a e-mail address and I can send pictures and a copy of the bill.later on I went on line and discovered that I was not the only one.This happen about 2 years back.
Transmission control module.
Drivers side lower control arm failed at the lower ball joint mounting hole, allowing the ball joint to separate from the arm. All vehicle steering and control was lost due to the failure. This failure: 1. Has extreme danger for traffic fatalities. 2. Suggests substandard materials, design, or manufacturing. Control arm manufacturer: DLZ Sold by: partsgoing Vendor: Amazon.com
2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.
Safety Rating for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3
Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
07-002-18-3432 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/Cevaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the...
MT-013-17 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
On some vehicles, the rear combination lamp lens becomes hazy and looks white when the brake or taillight is on. Due to heat accumulated by extended brake light (E) usage, the red inner cap (A) is melted (B) and the inner (C) and/or outer (D) lens becomes hazy.
00-004-16-3237 — EQUIPMENT
RAISING A VEHICLE WITH A JACK CAN BE DANGEROUS IF NOT DONE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE CAN SLIP OFF THE JACK AND SERI-OUSLY INJURE SOMEONE. IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION, SOME IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE OWNERS MANUAL. FOR MAZDA CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFELY LIFTING THEIR...
RF-12-05R — STEERING
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
SB-06-001-10 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
MAZDA: HEAVY STEERING EFFORT WITH POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DTC C1099. PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY CONTAMINATION OF THE SYSTEM FROM SUCH THINGS AS CORROSION GETTING INSIDE THE POWER STEERING LINE, STICKING IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND LOWERING THE REVOLUTION SPEED. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3
- 2004 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 185 complaints
- 2005 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 127 complaints
- 2006 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 224 complaints
- 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 301 complaints
- 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 (current)
- 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 140 complaints
- 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 918 complaints
- 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 179 complaints
- 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 328 complaints
- 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 176 complaints
Other MAZDA Models
- MAZDA 626 — 3,877 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-5 — 3,005 total complaints
- MAZDA MAZDA6 — 2,906 total complaints
- MAZDA TRIBUTE — 2,830 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-9 — 1,786 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-7 — 1,539 total complaints
- MAZDA PROTEGE — 1,377 total complaints
- MAZDA MPV — 1,156 total complaints