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: exterior lighting
12 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2017
MY BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IS MELTED ON BOTH SIDES. THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB IS MELTED INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT SOCKETS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS. I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND CARS WERE FLAGGING ME TO TELL ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I PULLED INTO A AUTO SHOP TO CHECK AND BOTH SIDES WERE MELTED. I HAD MY CAR SINCE 2013 AND EVERYTHING WAS ORIGINAL STOCK. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED THEY SAID IT MAY BE FAULTY FUEL PUMP, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY CODE THAT SHOWS AND I ALREADY HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED. MY CAR VERY FREQUENTLY STALLS OUT (HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS) EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND O2 SENSOR. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FLICKERS FREQUENTLY, WITH AND WITHOUT PASSENGERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Structure, Jan 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC RED TAIL LIGHT COVERING HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2016
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IN MY 2007 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK IS MELTING. IT IS THE TOP RED LIGHT ON BOTH SIDES. THESE ARE STOCK BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY ISSUE FROM MAZDA. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MAZDA 3 OWNERS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND HAVE RUN INTO THE SAME ROAD BLOCKS ON GETTING IT FIXED BY MAZDA.
Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2015
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING IN MY 2007 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK IS MELTING. IT IS THE TOP RED LIGHT ON BOTH SIDES. THESE ARE STOCK BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SAFETY ISSUE FROM MAZDA. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MAZDA 3 OWNERS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND HAVE RUN INTO THE SAME ROAD BLOCKS ON GETTING IT FIXED BY MAZDA.
Exterior lighting, May 8, 2015
SOMEONE RAN UP TO MY CAR AT A STOP LIGHT TO TELL ME THAT BOTH OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. NOT SURE HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I TOOK CAR TO SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKE BULBS HAD BURST AND MELTED MY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES, PRESUMABLY DUE TO OVERHEATING. I KNOW THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS ISSUE BECAUSE A) I JUST REPLACED MY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES 3 MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND B) I DID A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH AND SAW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR MAZDA 3 HATCHBACKS, TAILS LIGHTS MELTING, BULBS BUSTING ETC. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN BE DRIVING AROUND FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME WITH BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS OUT AND NOT KNOW IT, LEADING TO REAR ENDING ACCIDENTS. I DRIVE AROUND MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY WITH MY BABY IN MY CAR. I WOULD BE FURIOUS IF I GOT I GOT REAR ENDED WHILE SHE WAS IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 17, 2014
A FEW MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT OUR MAZDA 3 WE NOTICED THE BULBS BLEW OUT WELL COME TO FIND OUT OUR LENSES WERE MELTING AND IT GOT SO HOT THE SOCKET AND BULB BURST SO WE TOOK IT TO THE PLACE WE BOUGHT IT AND THEY WARRANTIED THEM OUT WELL GUESS WHAT THE TAIL LENSES WE GOT REPLACED MELTED AGAIN AND BLEW OUT THE BULBS. WE TOOK OUR CAR TO MAZDA AND THE TECHNICIANS FOUND NOTHING WRONG, NO GROUND PROBLEM. WELL WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE WE BOUGHT IT THINKING THEY'D BE ABLE TO WARRANTY THEM OUT SINCE THEY'RE LESS THAN A YEAR WELL THE LADY WOULDN'T DO IT. NOW I AM STUCK WITH MY SPOILER BRAKE LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER. SO WE DECIDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND SO FAR OUR PASSENGER SIDE HASN'T BLOWN OUT. I SUGGEST REPLACING IT AND SEEING WHAT HAPPENS. IT IS A $30 PART. TONIGHT I AM BUYING NEW LENSES AND PRAYING. I WENT THROUGH 4 BULBS IN THE DRIVER AND 3 BULBS IN PASSENGER. I NEED HELP FIGURING THIS OUT BECAUSE $8 FOR A PACK OF BULBS EVERY WEEK IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 20, 2014
THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING (AMBER LENS) WAS HEATED BY THE BULB TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT THE LENS ITSELF MELTED ONTO THE BULB. WE ARE NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND MAY HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. UPON INSPECTION BY AN EXPERIENCED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BULBS WERE THE CORRECT MODEL AND HAD BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY. SOME OF THE PLASTIC HAD MELTED DOWN ONTO THE BULB ITSELF AND COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A FIRE HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM IMPACTED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, WITH THE DRIVER SIDE APPEARING MORE SIGNIFICANTLY MELTED. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ON MAZDA FORUMS, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE EXPERIENCED BY MANY OWNERS OF 2007 MAZDA 3 MODELS, BUT ONLY THOSE IN THE HATCHBACK CONFIGURATION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2014
WE JUST NOTICED THAT BOTH TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE MELTED HOLES IN THE SURROUNDING INSIDE RED PLASTIC LENS. THE BULBS ARE THE ORIGINALS AS ARE THE LENS. THE HEAT IS NOW STARTING TO AFFECT THE OUTSIDE CLEAR COVER. THE OUTSIDE COVERS ARE STILL INTACT, BUT LOOK BUBBLY; THE HOLES IN THE INNER RED LENS LET WHITE LIGHT COME OUT AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE BACK-UP LIGHTS ON CONTINUOUSLY AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Dec 18, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 HATCHBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ADVISED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE FOUND MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 27, 2012
EVERY 3 MONTHS FRONT HEADLIGHT ARE REPLACED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 5, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE XENON HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED POOR VISIBILITY. THE 12 VOLT,35 WATT LIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT THE EYES OF ANIMALS AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DEER RUNNING ACROSS TWO LANES BEFORE IT STRUCK HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE LOW BEAMS WERE ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER ADJUSTED LIGHTS BUT STILL POOR VISIBILITY. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR