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: tires
27 reports, newest first. Show all
Tires, Dec 28, 2016
WHILE INFLATING A TIRE FOR ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS, THE VALVE STEM BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE.
Tires, Nov 19, 2014
I HEARD A BRIEF AUDIBLE ALARM AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYMBOL ON THE DASH WAS LIT. AFTER ADDING AIR TO ON OFF THE TIRES WITH A HAND PUMP, IN REMOVING AIR PUMP NOZZLE FROM TIRE VALVE, THE VALVE BROKE AND ALL AIR LOST FROM THE TIRE. THIS WAS THE SECOND SUCH OCCURRENCE THIS YEAR. A REPAIR SHOP PERSON SAID THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ON THE VALVES TEND TO RUST AND CAN BREAK AFTER A FEW YEARS. AS THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED TO ME IN RECENT MONTHS, I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD REPORT IT. BEYOND MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR, I CAN'T RECALL EVER HAVING A VALVE STEM BREAK OFF WHEN FILLING A TIRE WITH AIR AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND ADDING AIR TO TIRES FOR A LONG TIME. OTHERWISE, MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE. *TR
Tires, Wheels, May 16, 2014
TIRES PRESSURE MONITORS SENSORS WON'T HOLD AIR.TIRES GO FLAT. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Apr 9, 2014
THE TIRE SENSORS VALVE STEMS CRACKED AND THE TIRES WOULDN'T HOLD AIR IN THE TIRES. MAZDA DID REPLACE 2 BUT SAID IT WAS DONE AS A ONE TIME OFFER. NOW THE OTHER STEMS WON'T HOLD AIR PRESSURE THE TIRES ARE ALWAYS LEAKING AIR. I AM AFRAID THAT THE STEMS MIGHT BREAK OFF AS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE ARE DEFECTIVE STEMS. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Dec 23, 2013
I CONSTANTLY HAVE ISSUES WITH MY TIRE PRESSURE BEING LOW. I WENT TO FILL MY TIRES UP FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 4 MONTHS AND AS I PUT THE COMPRESSOR TO THE TIRE VALVE, THE VALVE SNAPPED OFF. ALL THE AIR POURED OUT OF MY TIRE. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING AT THE TIME. I CHANGED THE TIRE TO MY DONUT AND DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO MY TIRE CENTER. THEY LOOKED AT THE BROKEN VALVE AND TOLD ME IT HAD CORRODED AND THAT THE WHOLE TPM SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THIS IS COMMON. I ASKED HIM "SO, SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN WITH A DIFFERENT TIRE?" AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD BE LYING TO ME IF HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULDN'T BE CONCERNED. $150 AND 4 HOURS LATER, I HAD A NEW TPM SYSTEM IN THAT TIRE. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED EVERY DAY THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Aug 24, 2013
ON AUGUST 16TH 2013 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING CAME ON AND A FEW MILES LATER FELT THE CAR PULLING TOWARDS THE LEFT AND REALIZED I HAD A FLAT TIRED AND PULLED OVER. I CHANGED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND REQUESTED THEY LOOK AT THE TIRE. THEY INFORMED ME THE TIRE WAS PERFECTLY FINE AND WHAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT WAS THE TPMS SENSOR. THE SENSOR THREADS HAD CORRODED AND RELEASED ALL OF THE AIR FROM THE TIRE. THEY THEN INFORMED ME ALL OF THE REMAINING SENSORS WERE IN JUST AS BAD SHAPE AND COULD FAIL AT LITERALLY ANY MOMENT. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT TPMS SENSOR WAS WHAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT AND THE OTHER SENSORS ARE BAD AND READY TO FAIL AS WELL. I HAD THREE SENSORS REPLACED AND I WENT HOME AND DECIDED TO CALL MAZDA DIRECTLY AND SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AND SEE WHAT COULD BE WORKED OUT. I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF [XXX] AND I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THE VEHICLES TPMS SENSOR. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE ITEM I SPECIFIED AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE DOCUMENTED. THAT WAS IT. BASICALLY I WAS TOLD GOOD LUCK WITH MY PROBLEM. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM REPLACE THE FINAL TPMS SENSOR SINCE IT WAS GOING TO FAIL SOON AND I DIDN'T WANT ANOTHER FLAT TIRE OR WORSE, AN ACCIDENT. I'VE LOOKED AROUND THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE ON MAZDA VEHICLES IN A VERY CLOSE YEAR RANGE AS MINE. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR AN ITEM OF A VEHICLE TO FAIL AND RELEASE ALL OF THE AIR FROM THE TIRE IF THE ITEM WASN'T DAMAGED BY SOME SORT OF EXTERNAL FORCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Tires, Wheels, Aug 23, 2013
I HAVE HAD THREE OEM VALVE STEMS ROT OUT AND COMPLETELY FALL INTO THE TIRE CAUSING A RAPID DEFLATION AND RISK OF CONTROL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST VALVE STEM ROTTED OUT IN 2012 AND WAS REPLACED. I ASSUMED IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT (STUFF HAPPENS). IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS THE SECOND AND 3RD VALVE STEM ROTTED OUT AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY BELLETIRE (2ND IN JULY, 3RD TODAY). LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON SIDE ROADS WHEN THESE OCCURRED. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I LOOKED UP AND SAW THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2009 MAZDA 3 SO I CALLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD CORROSION IS NEVER COVERED IN WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT ABOUT CORROSION, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Tires, Feb 21, 2013
THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR MOUNTED IN THE RIM FAILED AND THE TIRE LOST AIR PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY UNTIL IT WAS FLAT AND THE SPARE TIRE NEEDED TO BE MOUNTED. THE FLAT TIRE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A TIRE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FLAT WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE THREADED ALUMINUM STEM ON THE TPMS CAUSING THE PLASTIC RETAINING NUT TO CRACK AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A LEAK AROUND THE RIM AND STEM. THE CORROSION WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE TPMS COULD NOT BE USED, AND A RUBBER VALVE STEM INSERTED. THE CORROSION WAS NOT OBVIOUS AS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ROUTINELY INFLATES THE TIRES, THE NUT CONCEALED THE CORROSION. CORROSION THIS SEVERE WAS NOT ANTICIPATED AT 25K MILES OF DRIVING, THE TIRES WERE NOT YET WORN TO THE POINT OF REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THE DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF THE TPMS USED FOR THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AS RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE COULD HAVE RESULTED, THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE OF THE VALVE STEM DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY INDICATION OF PENDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, THE EXPOSURE OF THE TIRE AND VALVE STEM TO DE-ICING MATERIALS IN THE NORTHEASTERN USA IS A NORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE THAT WOULD WARRANT SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER CORROSION PROTECTION THAN THE OEM TPMS THAT IS INSTALLED PROVIDES. A FULL RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TPMS'S INSTALLED IN THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR NEEDS TO BE MADE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS NEVER BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THE OWNER WHEN RUBBER VALVE STEMS WERE USED IN THE PAST, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT A NEW SAFETY DEVICE - TPMS - PRESENTS A HIGHER RISK FOR CATASTROPHIC RAPID DEFLATION OF A TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAN WOULD EVER BE EXPECTED. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Jan 8, 2013
12/26/12, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, PULLED OFF HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY, TIRE FLAT, NUT HOLDING PRESSURE STEM HAD DISINTEGRATED AND STEM WENT INSIDE TIRE. 1/2/13, ANOTHER TIRE WENT FLAT IN PARKING AREA, NEIGHBOR CAME OVER TO PUT AIR IN TIRE, NUT HOLDING PRESSURE STEM HAD DISINTEGRATED AND STEM WENT INSIDE TIRE. MAZDA DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIR AND SAID THE OTHER TWO TIRE STEM NUTS WOULD GO IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. ALL FOUR TIRE STEM NUTS WERE REPLACED. RESEARCH ON INTERNET SHOWS THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURED TO MANY PEOPLE OWNING DIFFERENT MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLES. APPARENTLY A DEFECTIVE NUT AND STEM SYSTEM WITH ONE OF THREE SERIAL NUMBERS WERE ON ALL THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. I BELIEVE THESE NUT AND STEM SYSTEMS WITH THESE SERIAL NUMBERS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS TO AVOID ANYONE EXPERIENCING A DANGEROUS BLOWOUT. A NUT ON THE WHEEL SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF A MATERIAL THAT DISINTEGRATES IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS EVEN IF IT IS IN CONTACT WITH ROAD SALT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE FACT THAT TWO NUTS DISINTEGRATED IN 8 DAYS AND PROBABILITY OF NEXT TWO IN TWO WEEKS SHOULD RAISE RED FLAGS IMMEDIATELY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE! I AM SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION FOR MY DAUGHTER AS SHE IS STILL VERY UPSET OVER THIS HAVING HAPPENED AND HAVING INCURRED GREAT EXPENSE ON HER PART. *TR
Tires, Nov 14, 2012
TPMS VALVES BADLY CORRODED AND LEAKING AIR, THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY MAZDA DUE TO THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OCCURRING UNDER NORMAL USE AND CARE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE BLOWOUTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Oct 7, 2012
TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON I PULLED OVER AND VALVE STEM BLEW A PIN OUT. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CALLED TO HELP ME AND VERIFIED IT WAS A PRESSURE VALVE STEM FAULT. SEEMS TO BE A LONG REPORTED ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR. WAS INFORMED TO CHECK ALL OTHER TIRE STEMS FOR DEFECTS. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Aug 19, 2012
MAZDA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE STEMS BREAKING EVEN WITH THE OEM CAPS BUT THEY STILL INSIST OPERATOR ERROR AND OR THERE WHERE AFTERMARKET ONES ON AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKAGE. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Dec 26, 2011
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE TPMS WARNING CAME ON. ON INSPECTION THE TIRE VALVE WAS MISSING, IT LOOKED SHEERED OFF. TOOK THE CAR INTO A TIRE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT CENTER AND HAD A NEW TPMS VALVE INSTALLED. I'VE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE IN MAZDA 3'S, AND LIKELY MANY MAZDA'S. AT THE TIME, I CONTACTED A MAZDA DEALER WHO OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW A VALVE STEM CAN SHEER CLEAN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT, CLEAN HIGHWAY. ALL THEY OFFERED WAS A REPLACEMENT PART, NOT WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER THE BASIC WARRANTY AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN WE'VE HAD ANOTHER TIRE AIR VALVE SHEER OFF ON A SECOND MAZDA 3 (2009) WE HAVE. WE BOUGHT 2 - 2009 MAZDA 3'S AT THE SAME TIME. THE SECOND MAZDA 3 HAD LOW TIRE PRESSURE. ON INSPECTION, THE VALVE CAP WAS REMOVED AND THE VALVE BROKE OFF. IT BROKE WAS THE CAP WAS BEING REMOVED. THIS IS A VERYDANGEROUS CONDITION AS THESE THINGS CAN SHEER OFF ANY TIME WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND YOU HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE'VE NOW EXPERIENCED 2 FAILURES ON 2 CARS, AND ONE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THAT RESULTED IN A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR A YOUNGER LADY OF COLLEGE AGE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. MAZDA NEEDS TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND MANUFACTURE A PROPER VALVE THAT CAN BE USED IN A VERY COMMON USE SCENARIO, NAMELY, DRIVING DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN SALT IS BEING USED FOR SAFETY REASONS. THAT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN EXCUSE AS TO WHY THAT PART FAILS. HERE ARE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN SEE THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2009/MAZDA/MAZDA3/TIRES/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2009/MAZDA/MAZDA3/TIRE+PRESSURE+MONITORING+SYSTEM. *TR
Tires, Jul 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE VALVE STEMS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS HAD CORRODED AND THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED BECAUSE THE CORROSION WAS DUE TO SALT ON THE ROAD THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,110. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/07/11
Tires, Jun 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER VALVE STEM CASTING WAS DISINTEGRATED. ALSO, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE VALVE STEM CASTING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SENSOR AND VALVE STEM WERE REMOVED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE STEM WITH A STANDARD VALVE STEM YET THE SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE CRACKED TIRE VALVE STEM ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE VALVES WOULD EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS FOR THOSE VALVES WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VALVES HAD NOT FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF
Tires, May 31, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZADA SPEED3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS PUSHED INSIDE OF THE TIRE. A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VALVE STEMS ON ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CORRODING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Tires, May 24, 2011
I HAVE HAD MY 2009 MAZDA 3 SINCE OCT. OF 2009 AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE SENSORS. THE TIRE SENSORS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND METAL AND THEY KEEP BREAKING. EVERYTIME I TURN AROUND MY TIRE SENSORS ARE FALLING APART OR BREAKING OFF, LEAVING ME WITH FLAT TIRES! WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE DEFLATES AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. REFER TO ODI ID # 10357809 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FOR I HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YRS. *TR
Tires, Feb 13, 2011
ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA 3 WHEN I HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE I NOTICED THE TIRE VALVE HAD SHEARED CLEAN OFF THE TIRE. TODAY (2/13/11) I FILLED MY TIRES WITH AIR AND A SECOND TIRE VALVE SHEARED OFF IN THE PROCESS CAUSING THE TIRE TO RAPIDLY DEFLATE. I'VE NOW HAD TWO TIRE STEMS ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR SNAP OFF (ONCE WHILE IN MOTION, ONCE WHILE FILLING IT WITH AIR) IN LESS THEN 6 MONTHS? I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE! I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS IF THIS VALVE FAILURE OCCURRED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE!!!! *TR
Tires, Feb 11, 2011
STEM VALUE BROKE OFF WHEN I PUT THE AIR CAP AFTER THE TIRE WAS REFILLED WITH AIR. *TR
Tires, Jan 23, 2011
I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 MAZDA 3. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND ON TWO DIFFERENT TIRES I HAVE EXPERIENCED A TPMS ALARM FOLLOWED BY A RAPID DEFLATION OF TIRE PRESSURE DUE TO THE TIRE VALVE STEM BREAKING OFF. FORTUITOUSLY, BOTH TIMES THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT A LOW RATES OF SPEED. I AM CONCERNED OF THE CONSEQUENCES IF THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MAZDA CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO CORROSION INDUCED BY METAL AFTER-MARKET VALVE STEM CAPS, BUT THE CAPS I HAVE ARE FACTORY ORIGINAL AND APPEAR TO BE MADE OF PLASTIC. I BELIEVE MAZDA HAS A DESIGN/MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION ISSUE WITH THESE ALUMINUM VALVES STEMS AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REDESIGNED AND REPLACED. IN BOTH CASES I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAVE NEW STEMS INSTALLED BUT I NOW FEAR THE REMAINING ORIGINAL STEMS WILL SHEAR OFF OR THE PROBLEM WILL REPEAT ITSELF WITH THE NEW STEMS. *LN
Tires, Dec 20, 2010
HAD MY MAZDA 3 OIL CHANGED TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT IT NEEDED NEW TIRES - AT JUST UNDER 15,600 MILES. I HAD THESE TIRES ROTATED AT JUST UNDER 6,000 MILES AND JUST UNDER 12,000 MILES. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT SET AT THE FACTORY, THAT CAUSES THE REAR TIRES TO "TILT IN AT THE TOP" TO IMPROVE HANDLING. I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR (4) NEW TIRES AND PAYING AN EXTRA CHARGE TO GET THE ALIGNMENT SET CORRECTLY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA PRODUCT. IF THIS DEFECT AT NOT BEEN FOUND TODAY, THE WAY THE REAR TIRES LOOKED, I POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT OVER THE NEXT 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES. *TR
Tires, Nov 30, 2010
I BOUGHT 2009 MAZDA 3 AND HAS 18,700 MILES ON IT AS OF TODAY NOV 2010. I NOTICED TPMS SIGN COME ON YESTERDAY AND GOES OFF AND COMES BACK ON WITHOUT ANY BEEPING SOUNDS. TIRE AIR PRESSURE IS SHOWING ACCEPTABLE LEVELS AND AT 18K MILES I DON'T EXPECT TO CHANGE TIRES FOR SURE. NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON. MAZDA MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
Tires, Sep 27, 2010
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
Tires, Dec 9, 2009
GOODYEAR TIRE EAGLE RS TIRE IN LIGHT SNOW / WET WEATHER CONDITIONS, NEW 2009 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. TIRES ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE IN LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AT 20MPH. CAR ABS WAS ACTIVATED BUT I STILL SKIDDED ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR AS IT WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I AM FORCED TO HAVE TO REPLACE THESE TIRES. *TR
Tires, Jul 17, 2009
SAME ISSUE AS OTHER STATED. THESE TIRES PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO TRACTION ON ICE OR SNOW. I HAVE OWNED EIGHT MAZDAS AND NEVER HAD ON ISSUE LIKE THIS WITH ANY, I HAVE HAD VEHICLES OF VARIOUS SIZES. THESE TIRES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP WITH INABILITY TO SLOW AND STOP, AND TAKE OFF TRACTION IS NO BETTER. *TR