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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 29, 2019, crash
I HAD JUST GOT MY GRANDSON AND WAS TRAVELING DOWN I75 IN GA I WAS GOING TO MERGE INTO THE NEXT LANE FROM THE FAST LANE, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE MIRROR AND THEN BACK IN FRONT, I HAD PLENTY OF TIME AND ROOM, AS I STARTED TO MERGE IT WAS LIKE I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL AND LIKE I WAS BREAKING INSTEAD OF SPENDING UP TO GET INTO THE OTHER LANE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE BECAUSE I NEVER SHOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR, SUV. IN FRONT OF ME, I HIT HIM WITH MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT, BUT IF MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING AS IT SHOULD HAVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE LANE AND PASSING HIM I WAS STUNNED, AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY OF THE RECALLS ON MY CAR, AND I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BROUGHT IT, NEW FROM TIME TO TIME AND HAD WORK DONE, MAINTENANCE AND WAS NEVER TOLD BUT I SURE KNEW WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT AND THEY SAID I WAS PASSED WARRANTY ON IT SO I ORDERED A NEW ONE AND HAD THEM INSTALL IT BUT NEVER TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT THE 2 RECALLS AND WHEN I WAS IN THE COLLISION I TOLD MY FRIEND WHO CAME TO GET ME SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR, IT DIDN'T WANT TO TURN AND IT SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES. I GUESS THAT'S WHAT SAVED OUR LIVES BUT IF IT HAD NOT HAPPENED I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD THE WRECK MY CAR WAS TOTALED, I WAS NOT HURT NOT BAD JUST BRUISED BY THE AIRBAG AND MY GRANDSON HAD SEATBELT MARKS ON HIS NECK AND WAIST. OF COURSE I TOOK PICTURES AND I WILL UP LOAD THEM FOR YOU
Steering, Jun 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Power train, Jun 6, 2019
NEARLY EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING, A YELLOW "AT" SIGN WILL APPEAR AS THE GEAR WILL JUMP FROM WHATEVER IT IS TO 3, CAUSING A SUDDEN, SHARP JERK (AS IF ONE SUDDENLY BRAKED), BEFORE GOING BACK TO WHATEVER GEAR IT WAS IN. THIS HAS OCCURED MANY TIMES ONE INSTANCE AT A TIME, BUT SEVERAL TIMES 3-8 TIMES IN RAPID SUCCESSION. ALSO, AT TIMES THE GEAR # INDICATOR WILL FLICKER AND DISAPPEAR WHILE JUMPING THROUGH DIFFERENT NUMBERS, ALSO CAUSING THE TRACTION AND AT WARNING LIGHTS TO APPEAR. DURING THIS TIME, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY JERK, SLOW, AND SHIFT UNPREDICTABLY. THE CAR CAN ALSO GO INTO "LIMP MODE", IN WHICH THE GEAR GETS STUCK IN 3RD FOR A PERIOD OF TIME (USUALLY 2 MINUTES TO UNTIL RESTARTING THE CAR). ALL OF THESE ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER AND DRIVERS AROUND THEM, AS THE CAR MAY SUDDENLY STOP OR SPEED UP WITH ZERO WARNING TO ANYONE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2019, fire
MY VEHICLE FELT SHAKY WHICH CAUSED ME TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY CAUSING MY BACK PASSENGER TIRE TO RUN OVER A CURB. AFTER THE SCARE IT SEEMED TO DRIVE LIKE NORMAL. I ONLY HAD ABOUT A 5 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK. WHEN GETTING TO WORK, AFTER BEING INSIDE A FEW MINUTES, A COWORKER POINTED OUT THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR. I WENT WITH A COWORKER TO CHECK, WE OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT IN THE FRONT CLOSE TO WHERE THE BELTS ARE. WE QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FLAMES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, AND I HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON 5/03/19.
Steering, May 24, 2019
WHEN MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL ABRUPTLY STOP FUNCTIONING. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING.
Service brakes, Engine, May 8, 2019
THE CAR IDLES VERY HIGH WHICH PREVENTS IT FROM SHIFTING INTO GEAR MOST OF THE TIME. THE IDLE AND RPMS WILL ALSO ACCELERATE WHEN NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE GAS WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE CAR SPEED UP WHEN YOU ARE NOT SPEEDING UP. WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE HAPPENING THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IT (WHILE IT IS STILL ON AND BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD) OR SOMETIMES WILL REV UP WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BREAK CAUSING IT TO LAUNCH FORWARD. MY CAR HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT DIED WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STARRING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED TO DRIVE ME OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAS ALSO LAUNCHED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT CARS IN FRONT OF ME.
Steering, Apr 10, 2019
POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. LOCAL IN-TOWN DRIVING. RESTART AFTER COOLDOWN OPERATES, BUT FAILS AFTER TIME. THIS SEEMS IDENTICAL TO : NHSTA RECALL 10V374000 RECALL DATE 08/12/2010 COMPONENT STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM HOWEVER, THIS RECALL IS FOR MAZDA'S PRODUCED FROM 04/07. VIN IN THIS EXAMPLE WAS MANUFACTURED 02/07
Engine, Mar 9, 2019
THE FIBERGLASS TUNNEL HEAT SHIELD HAD DETERIORATED AND PARTS OF THE FIBERGLASS WERE FALLING ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPING AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BURNING. THE ODOR FROM THE BURNING WAS NOTICEABLE BOTH INSIDE THE CAR AND WHEN STANDING OUTSIDE NEXT TO THE ENGINE. BURNING OCCURRED BOTH WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 6, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AS WELL AS THE CLOCK AND RADIO. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2018, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BACK IN OCTOBER 2018 WERE SHE FLIPPED INTO A STREAM. SHE ESCAPED WITH BRUISES AND CUTS, I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT NOTHING WORSE HAPPEN TO HER. WHEN THE WRECKER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT, I NOTICED THAT THE ROOF OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED IN AS WELL AS THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAZDA 3 THAT WE PURCHASED FOR OUR DAUGHTER WAS TOTALED BUT NO AIRBAGS EVER CAME OUT. THE COP, EMS WORKER, AND I WAS WONDERING WHY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I KEPT CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER CAR BUT THE WEBSITE KEEPS SAYING 0. I REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED PROMPTLY!
Steering, Sep 12, 2018
POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. SOMETIMES I NEED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO PREVENT A CRASH DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2018
VERY BAD VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO FAILED AND COLLAPSED MOTOR MOUNTS
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2018
I HAVE PURCHASED MULTIPLE SETS OF NEW TIRES FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT ALL THE COMPLAINTS SAY ABOUT THE TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE WALLS. I HAVE HAD A FEW PROFESSIONALS LOOK TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND NONE OF THEM CAN FIND ANYTHING. I NOW EXPERIENCE SHAKING OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH. MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHENEVER. JUST IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE PURCHASED 6 NEW TIRES. I AM AFRAID I WILL DIE IN AN ACCIDENT IF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE HELP!! MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR SHAKES, THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRES AND BACK DRIVER SIDE WEAR DOWN TO THE THREADS ON THE INSIDE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 21, 2018, crash
I HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY STEERING LOCKED UP SO I COULDN'T STEER MY STEERING WHEEL . I ROLLED MY CAR AND NEARLY WAS KILLED
Steering, Jun 13, 2018
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, MY RADIO TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE SO IT WAS REALLY UNSAFE AND I COULD HAVE WRECKED. SUDDENLY THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2018, fire
TAKATA RECALL. THE MOTOR TO THE SUNROOF CAME DOWN AND PULLED WIRES LOSE TO CAUSE THE MOTOR IN THE SUNROOF TO BURN UP. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE MAZDA DEALER SAID O WELL.
Power train, Engine, May 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SHAKING. ALSO, WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK ENGINE" AND "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WILSON AUTOMOTIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,400.
Steering, May 16, 2018
WHEN DRIVING YOU LOOSE POWER AND POWER STEERING. ALSO I UNDER STAND THIS IS UNDER RECALL, BUT THEY CUT THE RECALL SHORT OF MY DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF 01/07
Air bags, Mar 3, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. INQUIRING IF THIS VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
Air bags, Jan 18, 2018
TECH SCANNED ECU AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING CODES: B2232 AIRBAG CIRCUIT OPEN- LOOP #2 DRIVERS SIDE. LIGHT SENSOR IS ON, AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT. MANY ONLINE FORUMS HAVE DISCUSSED ISSUE EVOLVING AFTER 100K. MANY PEOPLE HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET. I AM AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO AWAY IF TRYING TO JUST RESET IT. IT WILL ILLUMINATE AGAIN WITHIN SECONDS OF VEHICLE BEING TURNED ON.
Steering, Jan 18, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH ON THE HIGHWAY AT TYPICAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE DASH LIGHT TURNED ON. THIS WAS PRECEDED BY THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS TURNING ON. THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS TURNED OFF AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE. THE STEERING LIGHT STAYED ON. LATER, AS I WAS MAKING A SECOND 90 DEGREES LEFT TURN WITHOUT POWER ASSIST, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK SUDDENLY WHILE STILL TURNING. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS AT AN IDEAL LEVEL BETWEEN MIN & MAX MARKER WHEN I PARKED. THE SUDDEN AND RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS THE UNEXPECTED RETURN OF THE FUNCTIONALITY ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE INABILITY TO TURN AS EXPECTED MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND ULTIMATELY A COLLISION. I NOTIFIED MAZDA USA OF THE FAILURE (800-222-5500) BUT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN DEC 2006 IT'S NOT COVERED BY THE 2010 RECALL # 10V374000 FOR THE STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IS THE SAME.
Steering, Jan 4, 2018
OUR 2007 MAZDA 3 HAD A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE AT ONLY 81,000 MILES, EXACTLY THE SAME FAILURE AS THE THOUSANDS RECALLED BY MAZDA FOR MODEL YEARS 2007-2009. MAZDA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2006 (VIN STATES 2007 MODEL YEAR) EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE IDENTICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM, SAME PART NUMBERS. I'VE SPENT HOURS TRACKING DOWN INFO AND TRYING TO FIND PARTS TO GET THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD. UNLESS MAZDA WIDENS THE RECALL, OTHER MAZDAS, TECHNICALLY OUTSIDE THE RECALL LOT, WILL REMAIN ON THE ROAD AND POSE A DANGER TO THE LIVES OF THE DRIVERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY IS PART NUMBER BR5V-32-600J.
Steering, Dec 28, 2017
WE'VE HAD NO SIGNS OF POWER STEERING PROBLEMS UNTIL A SUDDEN FAILURE TODAY, CLASSIC SIGNS OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. OUR VEHICLE HAS ONLY 81,000 MILES ON IT, WAS MANUFACTURED IN 09/06, VIN PRIOR TO THE RECALL BATCH, BUT, BASED ON THE FAILURE, IT APPEARS EARLIER VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED AS WELL. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA USA (NO RESPONSE YET) AND THE DEALER WHO SAID ANY FIX HAS TO COME FROM CORPORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.
Steering, Oct 23, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHTS FLASH, RADIO CUTS OUT, ENGINE GLITCHES AND DASH LIGHTS COME ON, THEN POWER STEERING IS LOST. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING MAY COME BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A FEW SECONDS OR MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO RETURN MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE FRIGHTENING AND UNSAFE. EPISODES WILL OCCUR RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING (OTHER THAT FLASH OF LIGHTS AND RADIO CUT OUT FOR BRIEF MOMENT). EPISODES OCCUR FREQUENTLY AND WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS WELL AS WHEN STOPPED, BUT TYPICALLY WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Oct 16, 2017
POWER STEERING WOULD RANDOMLY COME AND GO, UPON CRANKING THE (STATIONARY) CAR OR BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE (WENT AWAY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS) AFTER I ADDED PS FLUID WITH "STOP LEAK", BUT THEN PROBLEM BRIEFLY REOCCURRED ONE MORE TIME. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR MONTHS, BUT IS IT GONE FOR GOOD? THERE WAS NEVER ANY SIGN OF A LEAK, AND MECHANIC DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN AT AROUND 67,000 MILES.