2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 34,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering failed” (17% of reports).
- 117steering complaints
- 34,000median miles at failure
- 11mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering failed: mentioned in 20 of 117 complaints (17%)
- Wheel became: mentioned in 11 of 117 complaints (9%)
- Electric power assist: mentioned in 8 of 117 complaints (7%)
- Off engine: mentioned in 6 of 117 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 105 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 117 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 5 an injury.
Mazda MAZDA3 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 MAZDA3 | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2023 MAZDA3 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2021 MAZDA3 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2020 MAZDA3 | 3 | 9% | 1,177 |
| 2019 MAZDA3 | 3 | 4% | 2,802 |
| 2018 MAZDA3 | 2 | 2% | 7,400 |
| 2017 MAZDA3 | 2 | 2% | 49,346 |
| 2016 MAZDA3 | 3 | 3% | 28,330 |
| 2015 MAZDA3 | 3 | 2% | 20,600 |
| 2014 MAZDA3 | 3 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2013 MAZDA3 | 9 | 8% | 35,000 |
| 2012 MAZDA3 | 15 | 7% | 48,865 |
| 2011 MAZDA3 | 13 | 10% | 65,000 |
| 2010 MAZDA3 | 31 | 5% | 51,200 |
| 2009 MAZDA3 | 35 | 30% | 33,237 |
| 2008 MAZDA3 | 117 | 39% | 34,000 |
| 2007 MAZDA3 | 89 | 40% | 79,750 |
| 2006 MAZDA3 | 28 | 17% | 68,500 |
| 2005 MAZDA3 | 15 | 15% | 78,000 |
| 2004 MAZDA3 | 19 | 13% | 81,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are 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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced loss of power steering assist while driving at various speed and making turn. The power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The parking brake and power steering assist warning…
Airbag light is on.....lost power steering at only 110,000 miles...abs break system not working
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2008 Mazda MAZDA3s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 117 owner complaints about steering for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 (39% of the 303 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 34,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3?
The most frequent phrase is “steering failed”, in 20 of 117 complaints, followed by “wheel became” (11).
See all 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 problems or steering problems across all MAZDA3 years.