2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other MAZDA3 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3. That ranks 2nd out of 23 MAZDA3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (117 complaints, 39%), typically at around 34,000 miles. Complaints mention 29 crashes, 1 fire, 20 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 303owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 29complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 117 | 39% | 34,000 | “steering failed” (17%) | — |
| Tires | 41 | 14% | 51,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 33 | 11% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 22 | 7% | 55,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 17 | 6% | 68,800 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 6% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 16 | 5% | 77,029 | — | — |
| Power Train | 15 | 5% | 85,234 | — | — |
| Suspension | 15 | 5% | 23,700 | — | — |
| Visibility | 14 | 5% | 43,050 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 4% | 112,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 11 | 4% | 75,028 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 3% | 12,800 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 3% | 64,619 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 3% | 47,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 2% | 12,311 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 2% | 19,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 1% | 22,800 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1% | 14,305 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 497 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0% | 17,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 68,800 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Mazda MAZDA3 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Problem: 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.
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.
Steering:electric power assist system
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist (PE10021) — opened Jun 28, 2010, closed Nov 29, 2010, led to recall 10V374000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
2008 mazda 3. Consumer writes in regards to defective fuel pump.
Other Mazda MAZDA3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 MAZDA3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 MAZDA3 | 8 | 1 |
| 2024 MAZDA3 | 12 | 3 |
| 2023 MAZDA3 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 MAZDA3 | 24 | 0 |
| 2021 MAZDA3 | 54 | 1 |
| 2020 MAZDA3 | 32 | 2 |
| 2019 MAZDA3 | 74 | 6 |
| 2018 MAZDA3 | 109 | 4 |
| 2017 MAZDA3 | 83 | 2 |
| 2016 MAZDA3 | 104 | 6 |
| 2015 MAZDA3 | 130 | 4 |
| 2014 MAZDA3 | 138 | 4 |
| 2013 MAZDA3 | 117 | 1 |
| 2012 MAZDA3 | 226 | 1 |
| 2011 MAZDA3 | 132 | 2 |
| 2010 MAZDA3 | 686 | 3 |
| 2009 MAZDA3 | 115 | 3 |
| 2008 | 303 | 2 |
| 2007 MAZDA3 | 222 | 2 |
| 2006 MAZDA3 | 166 | 1 |
| 2005 MAZDA3 | 97 | 2 |
| 2004 MAZDA3 | 145 | 2 |
See all Mazda MAZDA3 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.
Similar Mazda models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3?
Owners most often report steering, tires, wheels problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 117 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MAZDA3 model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.