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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 222

Of the 2007 reports, 28 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.

Primary concernSteering89 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints222Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Steering89
  2. Air bags36
  3. Engine22
  4. Electrical system19
  5. Power train17
  6. Service brakes16
  7. Suspension14
  8. Exterior lighting12

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  1. Steering, May 23, 2013

    DROVE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE, PARKED & SHUT OFF ENGINE. STARTED ENGINE A SHORT TIME LATER AND AS SOON AS I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MALFUNCTION LAMP TURNED ON AND THE WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED WITH REASONABLE EFFORT (CAR WAS STILL STOPPED). *TR

  2. Steering, May 11, 2013

    MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. HE MADE IT TO WORK, AND THE MAZDA CONTINUES TO HAVE POWER STEERING ISSUES. TODAY 5/11/13, A FRIEND INFORMED US THAT THERE IS A MAZDA 3 2007 POWER STEERING RECALL. I AM UPSET THAT MAZDA NEVER SENT ME ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE RECALL. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE, THAT IS A VERY REAL CONCERN. I CALLED THE MAZDA DEALER NUMBER, AND IT JUST STATES TO WAIT FOR "SECOND" LETTER, WELL, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THE FIRST LETTER.THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM, AND VERY IRRESPONSIBLE OF MAZDA NOT TO NOTIFY ALL OWNERS. *TR

  3. Steering, Apr 19, 2013

    I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING (ABOUT ONCE A WEEK). ALTHOUGH MAZDA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURING DATE IS A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE RECALL. *TR

  4. Engine, Apr 19, 2013

    2007 MAZDA 3, WHENEVER I COME TO A STOP MY VEHICLE VIBRATES REALLY BAD AS IF IT WANT TO STOP. I HAVE TOOK THE MAZDA BACK TO FLOW MAZDA AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING BUT EVERYTIME I STOP IT DOES THE SAME THING. I ALSO TOOK IT TO SEARS AND THEY SAID THEY SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT SOMETHING IS CALLING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHENEVER IT ISN'T MOVING. *TR

  5. Tires, Apr 2, 2013

    WHILE INFLATING TIRES FOR A CUSTOMER THEIR VALVE STEM BROKE. A NEW TPMS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. *TR

  6. Steering, Mar 27, 2013

    WHEN I TRIED MAKING A TURN AT A SLOW RATE I FELT THE CAR STUTTER AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD AND MY CAR STALLED...TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND IT WAS OK..FEW DAYS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN..WENT ONLINE AND READ THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILING. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL..I'M UPSET BECAUSE IF MAZDA KNEW IT WAS A PROBLEM WHY NOT COVER ALL THE MAZDA 3 THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF ONLY COVERING MAZDA'S THAT WERE BUILT BETWEEN A CERTAIN TIME FRAME. I HOPE NO ONE HAS TO DIE IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAILING FOR MAZDA TO COVER ALL EFFECTED MAZDA. *TR

  7. Steering, Mar 18, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT HAPHAZARDLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000. *TR

  8. Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DECELERATING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  9. Steering, Dec 31, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

  10. 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.

  11. Suspension, Sep 6, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AXLE WAS RUBBING AGAINST A PIECE METAL IN THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

  12. Steering, Aug 26, 2012

    CAR PURCHASED NEW, NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO 17-JANUARY-2012 0-37,000 MILES 1. 17-JAN-2011- PS RECALL : DEALER-REPLACED PS PUMP & LINES PER RECALL 37K 2. 21-FEB-2011- PS FAILURE AT STARTUP : DEALER-LOOSE CONNECTION, FIXED 38K 3. 11-AUG-2011- PS FAILURE AT STARTUP : DEALER-REPLACED PS PUMP & LINES 45K 4. 30-MAY-2012- PS FAILURE AT STARTUP : DEALER-SCAN/DIAGNOSTICS-REPLACED CAR BATTERY 57K 5. 16-JUL-2012- PS FAILURE WHILE MOVING : DEALER-SCAN/DIAGNOSTICS-NO IDEA-NO HELP 59K 6. 25-AUG-2012- PS FAILURE AT STARTUP : WILL CALL DEALER TOMORROW 60K IF LEFT OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, PS RETURNS. DANGEROUS PROBLEM! *TR

  13. Wheels, Aug 23, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE CONTINUOUSLY BEING WEARING PREMATURELY AND COULD NOT BE ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED AT LEAST SIX TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

  14. Electrical system, Visibility, Aug 20, 2012

    POWER WINDOW CONTROL ISSUE ON DRIVER'S SIDE ONLY - THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW BUTTON WILL WORK FOR AWHILE AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING FOR A DAY OR SO. IT WILL RANDOMLY START WORKING AGAIN. NOT SURE IF IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT RAINS. I DID SEE THAT GM JUST PUT A RECALL DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME THING I'M EXPERIENCING AND WAS WONDERING IF IT MIGHT BE THE SAME ISSUE...THEY DESCRIBE IT AS MOISTURE ENTERING THE DRIVER'S WINDOW RESULTING IN THE POWER CONTROL NOT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IN MY CAR ABOUT BACK IN MAY, BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EVEN LONGER. *TR

  15. Steering, Aug 14, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN HE FELT THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE POWER STEERING RESET INDEPENDENTLY AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

  16. Air bags, Jun 30, 2012

    AIR BAG LIGHT PASS. SIDE CAME ON. *TR

  17. Power train, Engine, May 29, 2012

    WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORM A STOP MY CAR STALLED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF BUT THE RADIO AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE. MY CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES ALL AT SIMILAR SPEEDS. GOING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR FROM IDLING SPEED TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *TR

  18. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 27, 2012

    EVERY 3 MONTHS FRONT HEADLIGHT ARE REPLACED. *TR

  19. Air bags, Jan 26, 2012, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS ALSO AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000.

  20. Vehicle speed control, Jan 11, 2012

    ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AFTER ENGAGING IT TO MERGE ONTO FREEWAY. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. BRAKES BARELY SLOWED ACCELERATION. THREW VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP ACCELERATION. WHEN VEHICLE PUT BACK IN DRIVE, PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. WHEN TAKEN IN TO MECHANIC, FOUND TO BE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. *TR

  21. Steering, Jan 6, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 48 MPH, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. A STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12

  22. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 30, 2011

    IN MARCH 2008, MY VEHICLE HAD WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON FOR BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CODE AND CHECKED THE SYSTEM FOR ERRORS. NO CODES RE-OCCURRED AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. SUBSEQUENTLY IN DECEMBER 2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALER ADJUSTED SOME WIRING AND CLEARED THE LIGHT/CODE. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 2011, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR

  23. Steering, Aug 25, 2011

    MY 2007 MAZDA 3 LOST POWER STEERING WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE TWO TIMES WITHIN A WEEK MAKING IT DANGEROUSLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE PROBLEM DID NOT PERSIST UNTIL RECENTLY, (4 MONTHS LATER) AND NOW I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. THE POWER STEERING INDICATION LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE RECENTLY WAS A RECALL ON 2007 MAZDA3 FOR POWER STEERING ISSUES, BUT MY VIN SEEMS TO BE OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF THE RECALL. MAZDA SHOULD ACCOMMODATE ALL 2007 MAZDA3S WITH POWER STEERING ISSUES BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS MORE WIDE SPREAD THAN PROBABLY EXPECTED AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO LOSE POWER STEERING WHILE GOING 40+ MPH. SINCE MY VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL RANGE, IT IS COSTING ME $1100 FOR A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. MY 2007 MAZDA3 AND ALL OTHER 2007 MAZDA3 SHOULD BE INCLUDE IN THE RECALL. IT IS NOT FAIR TO ACCOMMODATE ONLY SOME 2007 MAZDA3 AND NOT OTHERS FOR THE SAME DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

  24. Power train, Jul 7, 2011

    I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. LUCKILY THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 80,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BUSY-SHIFTING HARD FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UP LARGE HILLS. THIS WORE ON THE ENGINE AND CRACKED THE CV BOOT. AFTER REPLACEMENT, THIS ISSUE NO LONGER OCCURED. NOW, AT 80,000 MILES, SECOND GEAR HAS TOTALLY GIVEN OUT, IT SKIPS SECOND AND SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 3RD. THEY SAY IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN... AFTER JUST 30,000 MILES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND THE WARRANTY ON THAT TRANSMISSION IS APPARENTLY EXPIRED AS WELL... PLEASE RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS... IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE CUSTOMER.

  25. Steering, May 4, 2011

    THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 MAZDA3. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED ON THE LIST OF RECALLS. THERE ARE MORE THAN 215,000 MAZDA'S THAT HAVE OR WILL BE REPAIRED, HOWEVER I AM REQUIRED TO PAY A LARGE REPAIR BILL TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT MAZDA KNOWS IS THEIR PROBLEM. *TR