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.
Visibility, Structure, Sep 9, 2008
I HAVE A COMPLAINT THAT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHERS. I KNOW TO CHECK MY BLIND SPOT, BUT EVEN WHEN YOU TURN TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER (EITHER WAY), THE BACK PANEL BETWEEN THE BACK GLASS AND THE DOOR IS IN THE WAY. I HAVE AT LEAST 3 TIMES NOW, ALMOST SWITCHED LANES INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WASN'T VISIBLE. I LOOKED IN THE SIDE AND REARVIEW MIRRORS, AS WELL, BUT I NEVER SAW THE OTHER VEHICLE. A FRIEND OF MINE, AS WELL AS OTHER 3 OWNERS, ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MAZDA 3. *TR
Air bags, Jun 9, 2008, crash
THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A 2007 MAZDA 3 DRIVEN BY MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, FOLLOWING A SEVERE FRONT-END COLLISION INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHOSE DRIVER HAD RUN A RED LIGHT. *TR
Air bags, May 23, 2008, crash
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER CAR (MY FRONT END HIT HER TAIL END). I HIT THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR DOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND CAME TO A DEAD STOP ON IMPACT. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Tires, May 22, 2008, crash
2007 MAZDA323 LOST CONTROL AND HIT A BARRIER WALL. *KB THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT LEFT FRONT TIRE AND STEERING MECHANISM DAMAGE THAT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE
Tires, Apr 13, 2008
ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING SLIGHTLY ABNORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS SIDE WALL OF TIRES GAVE OUT AND RIPPED. TOYO PROXES A05 P205/55 R16. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2008
OXYGEN SENSOR #2 HAD BEEN CROSS-THREADED INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DAMAGE WAS DONE AT THE FACTORY. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART DO TO THE FACT THAT I HAD FOUND THE PROBLEM AND NOT THEM. *TR
Air bags, Mar 20, 2008
I CRASH MY CAR MAZDA 3 MODEL, I FLIP THE CAR FIVE TIMES AND NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPEN, THE CAR HAS CRASHED IN ALL SITES VERY BADLY. I INJURED MY HEAD AND SPINE AND I HAD INTERNAL BLEEDING ON MY LEFT EYE. I WANT FROM YOUR COMPANY TO GIVE ME ADVISE YOU MIGHT NEED PICTURES OF THE CAR. THE ACCIDENT WAS IN EUROPE LAST JULY 2007. THANK YOU. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 7, 2008
THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACIDENT, AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR, A MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK GRAND TOURING HAS AN ONGOING BRAKE DEFECT. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AROUND 17,000 MILES. I "PAID" $300.00 TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED AND PURCHASED NEW BRAKE PADS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. ACCORDING TO MAZDA IT WAS MY FAULT DUE TO "HEAVY BRAKING" AND THERE IS NO WAY MAZDA BRAKE ROTORS ARE FAULTY, AND IT IS NOT A WARRANTIED ITEM. THREE MONTHS AND 7,000 MILES LATER THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN AND HAVE BECOME A BLUEISH-BLACK DUE TO EXTREMLEY HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE REAR DISCS HAVE THE SAME DISCORLOATION DUE TO EXTREME HIGH TEMPS AND ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF HEAVY BREAKING EXCEPT THE DISCOLORATION. THE NEW PADS I HAD INSTALLED AT 17,000 MILES STILL LOOKED NEW, THIS ILLUSTRATES I AM" NOT" A "HEAVY BREAKER" AND THERE IS A DEFECT. THIS TIME MAZDA DID NOT PUT THE BLAME ON ME FOR "HEAVY BREAKING" NOR DID THEY TAKE RESPONSBILITY. MAZDA SAID IF I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BRAKES WOULD JUST "LOCK UP" DURING BRAKING THEY'D CONSIDER IT A FAULTY PART AND REPLACE IT. APPARENTLY I MUST BE PUT IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, LIFE THREATENING SITUATION BEFORE MAZDA WILL REPLACE ANY PARTS. AFTER MAZDA TOLD ME THIS I'VE BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA OF DRIVING THIS CAR AND I'M AFRAID THE BRAKES COULD LOCK UP ON ME AT ANYTIME OR JUST QUIT WORKING. MAZDA ALSO TOLD ME "THIS IS NOT A WARRANTIED ITEM" AND IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS I NEED TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE "CORPORATE OFFICE" AND GAVE ME THE NUMBER. I HAVENT CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE YET I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'LL BLAME ME AND TELL ME ALOT CRAP I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU THE NHTSA DEAL WITH THEESE PROBLEMS, PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF ANY PROGRESS MADE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 3, 2007
GAS TANK PUNCTURE WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. PUNCTURE IS PINHOLE SIZE. THE ONLY EVENT LEADING TO THIS WAS BRAKING HARD TO AVOID A DEER. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO OTHER DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, BASICALLY NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING EXCEPT A SMALL HOLE IN THE TANK. *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
Air bags, Seats, Oct 10, 2007, crash
I WAS REAR ENDED BY A CITY TRANSIT BUS GOING APPROX. 30MPH. AT THE POINT OF IMPACT MY SEAT DISLODGED FROM IT'S POSITION AND FLEW BACK TO THE FURTHEST POSITION, THEN LOCKING IN PLACE. I WAS UNABLE TO HIT THE BRAKES - THEREFORE, PUSHING ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE OF WHICH I REAR ENDED. MY BRAND NEW CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. I DID SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE CAR I REAR ENDED. THE AIRBAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Aug 29, 2007, crash
CAR HIT ON DRIVER'S SIDE BY CAR TRAVELING AT APPROX 30 MPH WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 22, 2007
THE RESUME FUNCTION ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES EXCEEDS THE SET SPEED AND FAILS TO UPSHIFT. AN EXAMPLE OF THE SCENARIO IS THE CRUISE SET SPEED IS 75 MPH. I APPROACH A CAR GOING 65 MPH AND PRESS THE CANCEL BUTTON WHICH DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR PULLS OVER AND I PRESS THE RESUME BUTTON. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOMETIMES DOWNSHIFT TO EITHER 3RD OR 4TH GEAR AND QUICKLY ACCELERATE TO 78 MPH AND STAY IN THE LOWER GEAR. I AM NOT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS NOR THE GEAR SHIFT WHICH IS STILL IN THE AUTO POSITION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STAY IN THE LOWER GEAR AT THE HIGHER SPEED INDEFINITELY. IF I PRESS CANCEL AND THEN RESUME IT WILL IMMEDIATELY SHIFT TO 5TH GEAR AND RETURN TO THE 75 MPH SET SPEED. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10-12 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. I DO USE THE CRUISE FUNCTION DAILY ON THE INTERSTATE, BUT DON'T ENCOUNTER THE DESCRIBED SITUATION VERY OFTEN. I HAVE TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM A FEW TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE FUNCTION. THEY ALSO STATED THERE WAS NO TECH BULLETIN DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM. AN EMAIL TO MAZDA WAS RESPONDED TO BY SUGGESTING I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER. I KNOW WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT I AM NOT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS AND THAT THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN THE AUTO POSITION. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF DRIVER ERROR. THERE IS A CLEAR DEFECT IN THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CRUISE CONTROL OR TRANSMISSION OPERATION. IN EVERY OTHER WAY THE CRUISE AND TRANSMISSION OPERATION HAS BEEN COMPLETELY NORMAL. *TR
Air bags, Aug 15, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY MAZDA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6,963.
Parking brake, Jun 28, 2007, crash
2007 MAZDA 3 PARKED ON A MODERATE GRADE IN SECOND GEAR AND WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT 2 OTHER CARS. MAZDA WAS STILL IN GEAR WITH BRAKE ENGAGED. *AK
Steering, Jun 6, 2007
THIS IS A TOTALLY FICTITIOUS COMPLAINT THAT IS UNSUBSTANTIATED BY ANY FACT.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2007
2007 MAZDA 3 INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ARE VERY HARD TO READ IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT. THE SPEEDOMETER IS MY MAIN PROBLEM.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 20, 2007
ON 2/08/2007 MY NEWLY PURCHASED MAZDA 3 WAS RUNNING FOR 45 MINUTES AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE ENGINE RACED. ON 2/16/2007, THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN AND THE CAR SWITCHED FROM FIRST GEAR TO 5TH GEAR IN 1 SECOND WHILE THE ENGINE RACED. ON 2/19/2007, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP, NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE ENGINE RACED. THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN. EARLIER THAT SAME DAY, THE CAR CHANGED FROM FIRST GEAR TO FIFTH GEAR AND THEN TO SECOND GEAR WHILE MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. WHEN IT WAS CHECKED OUT BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS CAR COULD HAVE CAUSED A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AND STILL COULD. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Feb 14, 2007
I HAVE SUSTAINED A PAINFUL ERGONOMIC INJURY TO MY RIGHT ACHILLES TENDON FROM THE POOR DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR/BRAKE AREA AND THE LIMITED SEAT ADJUSTMENT IN THIS CAR (2007 MAZDA SPEED 3). I HAVE TO ICE MY ANKLE EVERY NIGHT. WHEN DRIVING IT IS PAINFUL AND CAN BECOME NUMB, REDUCING MY ABILITY TO DO EMERGENCY BRAKING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE ISSUE STARTED IN EARLY JANUARY WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE CAR - NOW I HAVE 1300 ON THE CAR AND EXPERIENCE THIS EVERY DAY I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 2, 2007
MAZDA SPEED3 2007 HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS, WITH ENGINE MOUNTING FAILURE IT SEEMS THE ENGINE MOUNT IS NOT BOLTED CORRECTLY OR THE BOLT ITSELF TO THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE , I BELIEVE MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS THREE INCIDENTS ,BUT HAS NOT ISSUE ANY RECALLS OR RECOMMENDATIONS , I PROVIDE A FORUM LINK MAZDA3FORUMS AS SOME PICTURE PROVIDED BY ACTUAL CONSUMERS WHO HAD THIS HAPPENED TO THEIR CARS. PLEASE HELPS US. HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=68463.0. *JB
Air bags, Nov 1, 2006, crash
2007 MAZDA3 WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL AND ONLY AIR BAG DEPLOYED WAS THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS AND SIDE AIR CURTAINS AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
Structure, Oct 14, 2006
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA3. THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT ABOVE THE PEDALS IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO WHERE ONE'S FOOT WILL GET CAUGHT ON IT WHEN TRYING TO MOVE ONE'S FOOT BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. THIS CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES BECAUSE HIS FOOT IS CAUGHT ON THE AIR VENT. *NM