2009 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other MAZDA3 years
- About as many complaints as other years 11th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3. That ranks 11th out of 23 MAZDA3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (35 complaints, 30%), typically at around 33,237 miles. Complaints mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 115owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 11complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2009 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 | 35 | 30% | 33,237 | — | — |
| Tires | 26 | 23% | 37,125 | — | — |
| Wheels | 19 | 17% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 5% | 19,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 4% | 29,700 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 4% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 4% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 3% | 10,825 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | 30,534 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 3% | 51,291 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 3% | 42,700 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 3% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 2% | 36,617 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2% | 55,706 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 2% | 1,200 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | 200 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | 5,178 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 39,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2009 Mazda MAZDA3 recalls (3)
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.
Electronic stability control (esc)
Problem: 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.
Risk: Improper operation of the electronic stability control.
Fix: 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.
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.
Brake pedal sinks to the ground d after abs is turned on due to hard braking or after hitting a dip
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…
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…
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…
Brake lights are causing the top of the tail light to melt on the housing.
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 | 108 | 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 | 115 | 3 |
| 2008 MAZDA3 | 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 2009 Mazda MAZDA3?
Owners most often report steering, tires, wheels problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 35 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2009 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 2009 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.