2009 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 119 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 11 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorJun 15, 2011
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, 2008. THE GROUND TERMINAL OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY BENT DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS THEN OVER TIME THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THE MOTOR CIRCUIT MAY INCREASE UP TO A POINT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK.
THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND HARNESS ON THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.
Campaign 11V329000 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
Electronic stability control (ESC)May 29, 2009
MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,100 MY 2009 MAZDA3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM". THE YAW RATE MEASURED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SINE WITH DWELL STEERING INPUT EXCEEDED THE TEST STANDARDS.
IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Campaign 09V187000 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: power train
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 28, 2023
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
Power train, Mar 12, 2016
FIRST OFF. I'M A MECHANIC SO THIS SHOULD THROW YOU FOR A LOOP. AT 130,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. IT SAID ENGINE RUNNING RICH. SO I COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTORS OR SENSORS OR ANY LEAK FROM INTAKE OR EXHAUST. MY IDLE WAS RUNNING HIGH SO I REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, THEN MAF SENSOR, THEN O2 SENSORS AND STILL A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT SAID ENGINE RUNNING RICH "BANK 1 RUNNING RICH". THEN IT STARTED TO PUTT AND LOSE POWER. THE OVERALL PROBLEM WAS MY CLUTCH WAS GOING. AFTER IT STARTED TO SLIP I REPLACED IT AND ALL PROBLEMS WERE GONE. SO I WASTED ABOUT $500 FOR IT TO BE A CLUTCH THAT ALSO NEEDED A NEW THROW OUT BEARING AND SPOON BECAUSE THEY REDESIGNED IT WHEN THERE WAS A DEFFICIENCY BUT NO RECALL ON IT. AND BECAUSE OF THE CODE NOT TELLING ME THE RIGHT PROBLEM I ALSO NEEDED A FLY WHEEL. SO I'M OUT OVER $1400. SO MUCH FOR COMPUTERS THAT ARE SMART IN CARS.
Power train, Engine, Dec 28, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF ABRUPTLY. I CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. OIL TRAILS OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE BAY.
Power train, Structure, Engine, May 25, 2013, crash
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT, BUT AN UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ADJACENT CURB AND ONTO A CITY FIRE HYDRANT. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE GROUND HAD BEEN WET, BUT IT WAS NOT RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Apr 29, 2011
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CATASTROPHIC CLUTCH FAILURE FROM THE CLUTCH PLATE ITSELF ON 2009 MAZDA3 WITH ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. CLUTCH FAILURE RESULTED IN AN INCIDENT OF LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE IN 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC DUE TO LOSS OF POWER THROUGH THE DRIVELINE. *TR
Power train, Mar 26, 2010
MY 2009 MAZDA 3 HAS EXPERIENCED OVER HEATING OF THE TRANSAXLE (TRANSMISSION) WHEN OPERATING IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES OF 100 DEGREES AND OVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND TALKED TO MAZDA CORP. AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEIR ONLY ADVICE IS TO PULL OVER AND LET THE TRANSMISSION COOL DOWN. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO HAVING TO PULL OVER IN SOME LESS THAN SAFE AREAS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESTIATES TO ACCELERATE APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 QUARTER TO 1 1/4 BEFORE THE VEHICLE MOVED. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE AUGUST OF 2008. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE AUTO SHOP TWICE FOR THE ISSUE AND EACH TIME THE CONTACT IS ADVISED THAT IT IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT DISAGREES BECAUSE THOSE SECONDS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IF A CRASH WERE TO OCCUR. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000. 4/01/09 *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE GAS. UPDATED 04/09/09.*JB