2007 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 222 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 28 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJul 1, 2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
Campaign 21V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemAug 12, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 10V374000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 2, 2009
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 MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
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.
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.
Campaign 09E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
222 reports, newest first.
Steering, Jan 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The check engine warning light was illuminated and flashing. The contact stated that the steering then seized. While checking the NHTSA.gov website, the contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V374000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage on the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, and confirmed there was no recall coverage for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 195,081.
Steering, Jul 26, 2025
Intermittently spanning several months, there is a sudden loss of power steering as the vehicle is in motion. Warning lights light up on the vehicle as power steering and power brakes are disengaged. Even though I provided a video of power steering loss, where a slight turn of the steering wheel engages this failure, where the dash board lights flash as power steering fails, the dealership will not fix anything they can’t duplicate in their shop. I guess they don’t believe their lying eyes, and don’t accept the video as proof of anything. It is doing exactly what it was recalled for back in September 15, 2010. Recall #10V374000. Mazda Corporate has been notified. Case # 00342901. There are known fixes for this problem. Mazda has done these repairs on hundreds of thousands of times. Dealership told me they will do nothing unless they can duplicate the problem. In reality it might take a month or more for this to show up at some unpredictable time and place. I have a potentially dangerous scenario awaiting me. Driving this vehicle in it’s present condition is recipe for a crash. This was a problem that Mazda addressed and fixed in the past. Being that it was done hundreds of thousands of times, I’m fairly certain that none of those fixes were predicated by mechanics having to see those issues in their shops before they did the repairs.
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2025
Radio stopped working.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 27, 2022, crash
My daughter and I were on the way to O'Reilly when we turned at a short curve going under 20 miles and the steering wheel got loose and the brakes wouldn't stop us. The car just kept swerving all over the road and we ended up in a ditch the day after my husband purchased the car.
Steering, Aug 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda M3. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the steering wheel of the vehicle become hard to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic for diagnosis, and he stated the vehicle was experiencing the same failure as NHTSA Campaign Number:10V374000 (Steering). The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and they both stated that the vehicle's VIN was not under recall NHTSA Campaign Number:10V374000 (Steering) and she had to pay out of pocket. The failure mileage was 206,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 4, 2022
Power steering failure causing rust on car components. When turning my steering wheel to the left or right there is a noise the car makes and it jumps gear shifts making it very unsafe to drive this car. Also there is an electrical power issue with the car. I just bought a new battery for the car but there still seems to be a shortage And I have to power jump the car every time I tune the car off and have to start the the car up. This is very unsafe for me as the driver and unsafe for those around my when driving because of the locking steering wheel.
Steering, Jun 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V374000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not available.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2022
Got a email stating I had a recall on my air bags
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2021
While driving engine started to sound louder and vibrating eventually engine shifted seems that one or more of the engine mounts completely broke.
Air bags, Nov 16, 2021
The airbag light on Dash comes on and goes off randomly then going on for 6 months. Obviously there's an open circuit in system that others have as well See a lot of others on here with the same problem over 100,000 miles
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2021
The brake light bulb has melted and burnt out the brake light housing assembly multiple times, I have purchased multiple brake light housing assembly and the issue continues. Clearly this is a manufacturing defect that is a safety/fire hazard.
Service brakes, Aug 10, 2021
After a hard brake event to avoid a crash, brake pedal is soft and loses pressure. Identical to many, many Ford and Mitsubishi reports on models that use the same ABS equipment. ABS valves probably leaking internally. Dealer refuses to remedy and insists brakes are fine - they are not, significantly worse since hard brake incident. OEM ABS part no longer available (I wonder why?) so the only repair option is a used part that is probably also defective in manufacture.
Steering, Jun 7, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2007 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 15 mph, when making a right turn the steering wheel locked up causing the driver to hit a curb and crash the vehicle into a mailbox. There were no warning lights illuminated on the vehicle, however, the driver stated there was a beeping noise coming from the vehicle once the steering wheel locked up. There was no one injured. There was no medical treatment at the scene. A police report was filed. There was damage where the front bumper of the vehicle came off and the front passenger side. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 101,000.
Steering, Apr 9, 2021
I WAS DRIVING AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AS I WAS GOING AROUND A TURN GETTING IT HOME IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. AFTER THAT MY POWER STEERING WOULD COME AND GO WHILE DRIVING UNTIL IT STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION. I WAS IN MOTION WHILE IT STOPPED WORKING AND RANDOMLY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 3, 2021
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH SALVAGE TITLE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2021. I TOOK IT TO BE INSPECTED AND I NEEDED BOTH BELTS REPLACED, THEY HAD TO TIGHTEN BACK DOWN MY STRUTS IN FRONT, MY POWER STEERING WAS ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING NOISE AND MY INTERMEDIATE SPEED SHAFT SENSOR IS GOING BAD BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON FOR THE SAME CODE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT IT WAS SERIOUS DAMAGE. WHEN DRIVING BARELY TURNING THE WHEEL THE CAR MAKES A WHINING NOISE, THE VEHICLE STILL SWAYS A LITTLE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT BUT THE ALIGNMENT WAS JUST DONE YESTERDAY. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT ETC NEW TIRES AND MOUNT AND BALANCE MY CAR AND STEERING WHEEL WERE BOTH SHAKING REALLY BADLY AND JERKING ALL OVER THE PLACE.
Engine, Dec 21, 2020
MY VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ON FRIDAY. I PARKED IT, LATER STARTED IT AND STARTED TO MOVE. HEARD A CRASH. MY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE FELL. MOTOR MOUNTS BROKEN, DAMAGED MY AXLE.
Steering, Sep 24, 2020
POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING WHILE DRIVING .POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS MAKE STEERING SUPER HARD TO TURNING WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE ITS UNEXPECTED.
Steering, Feb 25, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT LEAST 3 TIMES THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND MAKES THE CAR UNABLE TO DRIVE AND IS VERY SCARY WHILE ON THE ROAD. A FEW LIGHT INDICATES FLASH ON MY DASH AND THE RADIO RESETS. I EVEN SAW MY RADIO RESET IN BETWEEN THE MAJOR EPISODES WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE 3 TIMES IT HAPPENED ROUGHLY 25-30 MPH AND WAS TURNING THE VEHICLE. I LOCATED A RECALL I BELIEVE # 6010H FOR STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, BUT IT IS FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER APRIL 2, 2017. MY CAR WAS ASSEMBLED ON NOVEMBER 7, 2006. IT STATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR MANUFACTURED 5 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE RECALL IS NOT COVERED AS THIS COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHERE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH MY KID IN THE CAR. PLEASE UPDATE THE RANGE OF THE RECALL TO SAVE MORE LIVES.
Steering, Feb 4, 2020
MY 17YO DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2007 MAZDA3 WHEN HER POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND SHE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SHE WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE BUT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO SAFETY OFF THE ROAD. SHE RESTARTED THE CAR AND HAD STEERING FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE. I FOUND THE RECALL FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR, WITH THESE EXACT SYMPTOMS, BUT FOR SOME REASON IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS VIN. MAZDA CORP ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL BUT SAID SINCE THE NHTSA DIDN'T INCLUDE THIS VIN THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD RECONSIDER EXPANDING THE SCOPE.
Steering, Dec 12, 2019
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS 70,000 MILES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST. THE RECALL SHOULD BE WIDENED TO INCLUDE MORE VEHICLES THAT ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Engine, Oct 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, STEERING ABILITY, AND THE RADIO SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,548.
Steering, Power train, Oct 2, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY JERK AS IF BRAKING QUICKLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE AT (AUTO-TRANSMISSION) LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WILL THEN JUMP DOWN TO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, DISALLOWING IT TO SHIFT PROPERLY. IT WILL REMAIN STUCK ON THE LOWER GEAR WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. A FEW TIMES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED PROBLEM, THE CAR HAS ALSO LOST POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND NOT A SINGLE ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, SO THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AS IT SEEMS TO COMPLETELY RANDOM. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE GOING 70 AND THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS WHEN ONLY GOING 25. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT OR GIVE A PRECURSOR TO WHAT HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE CAR JUMPING GEARS AND LOSING POWER STEERING. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS.
Power train, Sep 3, 2019
CAR RANDOMLY LOSES POWER, LOSS OF STEERING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT BLINKS. IT GETS HARD TO CONTROL AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF. NO MATTER WHERE OR WHAT THE CONDITIONS.
Steering, Aug 6, 2019
MY CAR JUST GOT TO WHERE IT WON'T STEER AND SEEING IT WON'T STEER IT WON'T START NOW . IF U TAP ON THE STEERING PUMP THE CAR WILL START BUT ONCE SHUT OFF IT WON'T START AGAIN..
Structure, Jul 17, 2019
ENGINE MOUNT BOLT FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO DROP ONTO AXEL. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL FRONT AXEL WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT WAS REPLACED.