2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

140

Owner Complaints

13 Crashes 1 Fire

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

2

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

The 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 140 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (34 complaints), Wheels (19 complaints), and Tires (13 complaints).

Recalls for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 327,723 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.

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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.

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Recall 09V187000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

| 7,100 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

Remedy: 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.

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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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

140 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11650136 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
Brake pedal sinks to the ground d after abs is turned on due to hard braking or after hitting a dip
#11637360 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 102,212 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that previously there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle and in the trunk. In addition, the contact stated that the odor was very strong, causing her to become light-headed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,212.
#11519374 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
#11519374 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
#11519376 | STEERING | | N/A miles
When driving and trying to negotiate a turn, or sometimes when going straight, the power assist steering simply fails (stops assisting the steering). I have to "muscle" the car off the roadway and either restart the engine or stop the car (off the road) straighten the steering wheel, restart the car, and the power assist is restored. This has happened five times in the last 9 months. So far there have been no accidents. The date velow is the most recent date of this failure.

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Safety Rating for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

0100416 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Battery Maintenance

MC-5509E — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MAZDA: STOP DELIVERY/HOLD ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DSC (DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL) DUE TO FMVSS COMPLIANCE RECALL 5509E. *PE

NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3

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Other MAZDA Models

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