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, Suspension, Oct 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR STABILIZER CONTROL LINK AND BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE REAR STABILIZER BRUSHING RING AND THE CONTROL LINK WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE STEERING FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 15, 2014
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS OFF.
Service brakes, Oct 11, 2014
THE ABS SYSTEM IS BROKEN. *TR
Engine, Oct 8, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO TURN INTO THE SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS VERY STIFF. AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ESSENTIALLY CAUSING MY CAR TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT. ALL ENGINE, POWER, AND BATTERY LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF AT THE SAME TIME. I ENDED UP PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK TURN OFF THE CAR WITH MY KEY AND THEN RESTARTING IT AGAIN. AFTER RESEARCHING I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY MODEL AND YEAR, WHEN I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE REP NOT HAVING ANY NOTICE FOR A RECALL FOR MY TYPE OF MODEL AND DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL THAT I HAD MENTIONED TO HIM. I AM NOW HAVING TO LOOK OUTSIDE OF MY MEANS IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Oct 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS REQUIRED TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2014
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON (THUS DISABLING THE SYSTEM). TOOK IT TO A GARAGE WHO TESTED IT AND SAID THAT IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT UNTIL IT IS FIXED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 19, 2014
AS I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, THE CAR LOST POWER. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THE CAR STALLED. SO FAR THIS HAS HAPPEN 6 TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD ME MY CAR IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Jul 22, 2014
MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ON, SO I PULLED INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE THAT HAS A COMBINATION INFLATION-PRESSURE CHECK MACHINE. I CHECKED ONE TIRE & HAD NO ISSUE. I CHECKED/FILLED THE NEXT TIRE & DIDN'T NOTICE AN ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. I WENT ON TO THE 3RD TIRE, AND HEARD A POP, THEN A HISS. ALL AIR WAS LEAVING THE TIRE. I THEN NOTICED THE SECOND TIRE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. ACCORDING TO THE TIRE STORE, IT WAS THE VALVE STEM PRESSURE SENSORS. THE TIRE STORE KEEPS THE PARTS ON HAND BECAUSE THEY ARE "SEEING A LOT" OF THIS WITH THE MAZDA 3S, THAT IT'S A "DESIGN FLAW" THAT HAS SINCE BEEN RECTIFIED ON NEWER MODELS. IF I HAD ONLY FILLED ONE TIRE & HADN'T NOTICED THE DEFLATION, AND THEN GOTTEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I COULD'VE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. THIS ANGERS ME: IF IT'S SO COMMON OF A PROBLEM, AND IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL?? *TR
Air bags, Jul 16, 2014, crash
MY PARENTS' 2007 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR HATCHBACK WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH BY A FORD EDGE SUV TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE MAZDA THEN HIT THE TALL CONCRETE DIVIDER NEARLY HEAD-ON, PROPELLED FORWARD BY THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE MAZDA WAS A TOTAL LOSS, SUSTAINING MODERATE REAR END DAMAGE AND HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. BOTH MY MOTHER (WHO WAS DRIVING) AND MY FATHER (IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) WERE INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. BOTH PEOPLE WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. MOM SUSTAINED A FACIAL INJURY TO THE FOREHEAD, A CONTUSION TO HER ARM AND A PROBABLE CRACKED STERNUM. DAD SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED RIBS AS CONFIRMED AT THE HOSPITAL AND OTHER MORE MINOR INJURIES. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE NONE OF THE AIRBAGS ON THE CAR WENT OFF, AND I WOULD EXPECT AT LEAST THE FRONT ONES WOULD HAVE, CONSIDERING HOW HARD THE FRONTAL COLLISION WAS WHEN CAR HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEIR INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE IF THE AIRBAGS HAD GONE OFF WHEN THE CAR HIT THE BARRIER. I DID TAKE PICTURES OF THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE AND THE INTERIOR WITH THE AIRBAGS INTACT AND UNUSED.....UPDATED 07/23/14 *BF
Steering, Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2014
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ALONG ON 30 MPH ROAD WITH 'STOP' SIGN AHEAD. AS VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MPH, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHAKE, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF, INCLUDING OIL AND POWER STEERING, RPM FELL VERY CLOSE TO 0 (ZERO) AND CAR DIED. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP AT THE 'STOP' SIGN. EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ON, ANY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT PROVIDE POWER OR INPUT TO THE TRANSMISSION, NOW IN 1ST GEAR, TO MOVE THE CAR. CAR NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED ON BEFORE IT COULD MOVE AGAIN. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 4 YEARS REGARDLESS OF SPEED. THE CAR HAS ALSO DECIDED TO STOP PROVIDING POWER WHILE IN MOTION WHILE IN MOVING TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MULTIPLE CAR CRASHES OR WORSE. MAZDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR SINCE THEY "CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM". THIS ISSUE IS SPORADIC AND OCCURS REGARDLESS OF SPEED (USUALLY AROUND 30 MPG OR LESS), WEATHER, DISTANCE TRAVELED, AMOUNT OF TIME CAR HAS BEEN IN CONSISTENT USE, ETC. MAZDA HAS EVEN HOOKED THIS CAR UP TO THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM AND NO ERROR CODE HAS BEEN FOUND. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY DOCUMENTED WITH OUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER AND PAPERWORK IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A TRUE LEMON SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. IT ONLY HAS ROUGHLY 55K MILES ON IT. *TR
Air bags, May 11, 2014
RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON. *TR
Suspension, Apr 28, 2014
CLUNKING NOISE IN TRUNK WHEN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS/BUMPS, ETC.; TOOK TO MAZDA DEALER. PASSENGER SIDE REAR STABILIZER/SWAYBAR BOLT LOOSE AND PIN BENT. KNOWN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF 2007 MAZDAS. NEW BUSHINGS AND BOLTS PUT IN/TIGHTENED. CLUNKING NOISE GONE. *JS
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
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2014
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAUSE ,AFTER RUNNING CODE CHECK,P2004. RUNNER CONTROL VALE STUCK. REPLACE SOLENOID. FRONT STRUTS GONE. *TR
Steering, Mar 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART. THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED SEVEN TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Steering, Feb 28, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVER MY MAZDA3I WHEN SUDDENLY IN BECAME HARD FOR ME TO STEER MY CAR AND IT JUST CUT OFF. I CALL THE DEAL IN BROUGHT IN MY CAR WHERE INFORMED ME IT WAS THE POWER STEERING AND I CONTACT MAZDA BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME I WASN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE FIX. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I FELT A SUDDEN JERK IN THE VEHICLE AND GOT SCARED. I SAW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON, AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF OTHER LIGHTS WHICH I DO NOT RECALL. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. AFTER 10 SECONDS, POWER STEERING SPONTANEOUSLY CAME BACK AND I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE AGAIN YET, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN A COUPLE OF HOURS. *TR
Structure, Engine, Jan 7, 2014
I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP THAT AN INTEGRAL HYDRAULIC ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS JUST PAST MY CAR'S WARRANTY SO I DROVE ON IT SINCE THEY SAID IT WAS SAFE. ON NOVEMBER 8TH 2013 DURING A SERVICE I WAS TOLD THE INTEGRAL MOUNT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID IF THE MOUNT HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, NOT TO MENTION DESTROY THE MOTOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT BUT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET SINCE IT WAS PAST WARRANTY AND NOT A RECALL. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME SERIES CAR AND WITHIN ADJACENT YEARS OF THE SAME MOTOR MOUNT CRACKING AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT UNDER 50,000 MILES. SOME COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THE REPLACEMENT LATER AFTER PUTTING SOME MORE MILEAGE ON IT. THIS IS AN OBVIOUSLY INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE MAZDA TO RECALL THIS DEFECT AS IT IS A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY IF ONE WERE TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Dec 4, 2013
AFTER PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRES, I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TIRE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1 MORE MILE TO MY HOUSE. THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT DUE TO A BROKEN VALVE STEM. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Oct 18, 2013
LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND VALVE STEM CRACKED AND LEAKING AIR FROM ITS SIDE. HAS HAPPENED TO TWO DIFFERENT VALVE STEMS. SOUTHERN CAR NEVER EXPOSED TO SALT. VALVE STEMS LOOK NEW. TIRE STORE CHARGES OVER $200 TO REPLACE EACH ONE. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2013
DRIVING AND LOST POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON, ABS, LIGHT CAME ON LOST POWER ON RADIO AND DASH, CALLED DEALER AND FOUND NO RECALLS , CALLED MAZDA THEY SAID VIN DOES NOT SHOW RECALLS . THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND MAZDA SHOULD FIX THIS AS WELL AS OTHERS. *JB
Steering, Aug 1, 2013
I WAS MAKING A TURN AND MY VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HAPPENED TWICE THAT DAY AND WHEN I PARKED, MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT IN TO GET IT CHECKED AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER STEERING ISSUES ON MAZDA 3 2007-2009. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED MY VEHICLE VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNLESS IT WAS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. MAZDA ONLY RECALLS SPECIFIC VEHICLES AND NOT ALL. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 17, 2013
I HAVE CONSTANTLY REPLACED MY DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR. THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH/MOTOR STOPS WORKING FOR NO REASON. IN ADDITION THE ENTIRE HEADUNIT STOPS WORKING. IT SHUTS ON AND OFF WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. SOMETIMES TO POWERS RIGHT BACK ON AND OTHER TIMES IT CAN TAKE DAYS FOR IT TO TURN BACK ON. *TR
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN STUTTERING AND MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.