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
119 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2015
RED TAIL / BRAKE LIGHT LENSES ARE MELTED BY BULB. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS MELTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATED AT RANDOM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
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
Steering, Structure, Jun 5, 2014
2009 MAZDA3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE APPEARED TO BE GAPS DEVELOPING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB. THE CENTER PANEL WHERE THE HORN AND AIR BAG WERE LOCATED. THE GAPS WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY WIDER TO THE POINT WHERE SHE COULD ACTUALLY SEE MECHANISMS THROUGH THE GAP. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED , BECAUSE THE HUB SEEMED TO BE DETACHING AND SHE FEARED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY, OR INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THE DEALER INSISTED IT WAS A COMMON COSMETIC ISSUE DESCRIBING IT AS TRIM DETERIORATION. *JB
Tires, Wheels, May 16, 2014
TIRES PRESSURE MONITORS SENSORS WON'T HOLD AIR.TIRES GO FLAT. *TR
Suspension, Apr 24, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY PORTION OF A STATE HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC OR ROAD PROBLEMS (NO POTHOLES OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT), I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN OBJECT HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. UPON LOOKING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ITEM ON THE ROAD. AFTER THAT HAPPENED, I STARTED HEARING METAL GRINDING SOUNDS UNDER THE CAR WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN ROADS. AFTER REMOVING ALL THE ITEMS IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE, THE SOUND WAS STILL EVIDENT OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT A PART OF ONE OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN OFF AND HAD GOTTEN LODGED UNDER THE CAR. THE COIL SPRING LOOKED NEW ON 2/3 OF THE SPRING AND RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PART THAT BROKE OFF (THE OTHER 1/3). THE OTHER REAR COIL SPRING LOOKED LIKE IT WAS STARTING TO RUST IN THE SAME AREA AND WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST, BUT MAKE IT A HABIT TO CLEAN THE UNDERCARRIAGE DURING THE WINTER SEASON. AS OWNERS OF A 2009 SUZUKI AND 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY, MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART SINCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURRED WITH ANY OF OUR OTHER VEHICLES. THE MAZDA IS A COMMUTER VEHICLE USED BY ONE PERSON AND RARELY HAS ANYTHING MORE IN THE TRUNK THAN GROCERIES ONCE IN A WHILE, SO OVERLOADING IS A NON-ISSUE. WE ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE COIL SPRINGS THAT WERE REMOVED IF INSPECTION IS REQUIRED. *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
Steering, Mar 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT AND POWER STEERING LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Steering, Jan 4, 2014
THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THIS SUMMER. I ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSE STEERING CONTROL (FEEL LIKE IT HAS STALLED BUT IT HASN'T) THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND CONTINUES ON WITH NORMAL STEERING.....BUT VERY HARD TO EVEN PULL OVER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS AND THEY SAY NO---SAY I HAVE TO PAY 150 TO GET IT CHECKED (THAT WILL COME OUT OF MY POCKET-AND AS A SINGLE MOM-I CAN'T DO THAT)---FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON HERE SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT: SEARCH RESULTS REPORT DATE :JANUARY 4, 2014 AT 12:37 AM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER :10V374000 VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): MAZDA / MAZDA3 2007-2009 MAZDA / MAZDA5 2007-2009 MANUFACTURER: MAZDA MOTOR CORPREPORT RECEIPT DATE: AUG 12, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10021 COMPONENT: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 215,000 SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCE: 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. REMEDY: 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. NOTES: THIS IS NOT MY ACTUAL ADDRESS BELOW-BUT IT WOULD NOT LET ME ENTER IN A CANADIAN POSTAL CODE AND CITY (WHICH IS IN ABBOTSFORD, BC V3G 3E3 AND SUMAS IS CLOSEST TO US. *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
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2013
THREE OUT OF FOUR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS HAVE FAILED CAUSING TIRE DEFLATION. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN MY DRIVEWAY.UPON TRYING TO RE-INFLATE THE LOW TIRES I FOUND THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS JUST FELL AWAY INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE. MY TIRE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REINSTALL THE MONITORS(ONLY TO HAVE THEM FAIL AGAIN LATER) MY COMPLAINT STEMS FROM THE INCIDENT (AFTER I HAVE STEWED ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE) THAT HAPPENED ON 6-26-2013. MY WIFE,WITH DAUGHTER, HAD A BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE 75 AT RUSH HOUR IN A DRIVING RAIN STORM. OF COURSE IT WAS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE GETTING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. LUCKILY A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER WAS NOT AT THE WHEEL. WHEN I ARRIVED TO CHANGE THE TIRE I DECIDED TO TRY AND RE-INFLATE IT FIRST TO TRY AND GET TO A SAFER LOCATION. ONCE AGAIN THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FELL TO THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE!!! MY TIRE DEALER (TIRE DISCOUNTERS WALTON KY) TOLD ME THAT THE THREADS ON THE STEM THAT HOLDS THE MONITOR TO THE WHEEL CORRODES AND EVENTUALLY CRACKS THE NUT HOLDING THE MONITOR. WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK. I STILL HAVE THE OLD MONITORS AND INDEED THE CORROSION LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT COMES FROM A DISSIMILAR METAL ON METAL CONTACT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN MY OPINION AND I SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED AS SOON AS I COULD BUT I REALLY THINK THAT NOTHING WILL COME OF IT. I ALMOST PAID FOR NEW MONITORS(DECIDED TO JUST REPLACE WITH PLAIN STEMS ON MY OWN AS I DO NOT TRUST ,NOR DO I WANT TO FINANCE MAZDA ANY FURTHER), I LOST A TIRE DUE TO THE HIGHWAY INCIDENT AND I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NO SURPRISE TO THE TIRE STORE.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2013
TWO OF THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING S___?) SENSORS WERE CRACKED AND REPLACED AT A DISCOUNTED COST TO ME OF $325. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH UNDER 52,000 MILES AND TWO OF THEM CRACK AT THE SAME TIME (!). THE MAZDA DEALER SAID THAT THEY GET A NUMBER OF THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT THEY THINK IT IS DUE TO POOR QUALITY METAL BEING USED. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THEY CRACK TOO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CUSTOMER HAS NO WAY OF DETERMINING THIS OR EVEN KNOWING HOW OR WHERE TO LOOK. I AM NOW VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE REMAINING TWO.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2013
I HAVE TAKEN MY MAZDA 3 TO BE CHECKED OUT 2 TIMES DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS CAP. I AM TOLD THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR OTHER MAZDA VEHICLE BUT NOT MINE. I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND IT HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED.
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
Wheels, Jun 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TPMS FAILED AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Steering, May 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. *TR
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
Suspension, May 13, 2013
2009 MAZDA 3; PURCHASED NEW FOR OUR DAUGHTER - EARLY ON I NOTICED THE TIRES WERE TILTED, LIKE THE CAMBER WAS WAY OFF. BROUGHT IT UP TO DEALER DURING ROUTINE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I WAS GIVEN SOME STORY THIS WAS THEIR ZOOM ZOOM SUSPENSION USED ON RACE CARS. TIRE WEAR (INSIDE) WAS REACHING DANGEROUS LEVEL AT UNDER 15,000 MILES WITH ROTATIONS DONE BY DEALERSHIP. GIVEN EXCUSE THAT HARDER TIRES WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. I REFUSED TO BUY TIRES FROM DEALERSHIP SINCE IT SURE SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF BS. I PURCHASED 4 QUALITY NEW TIRES FROM TIRE DEALER WITH PACKAGE TO ROTATE/REPAIR. I HAVE THEM ROTATED EVERY 4,500 MILES. TOOK CAR IN FOR ROTATION ON MAY 9, 2013. DEALER TOLD BE TIRES WERE WEARING HORRIBLY (AGAIN TO THE INSIDE). I TOLD THEM THE DEALERSHIP EXCUSES, THEY SUGGESTED I GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM. I COMPLAINED AND WENT ON SATURDAY FOR THEM TO CHECK ALIGNMENT AT THEIR EXPENSE. EVERYTHING WITHIN MAZDA TOLERANCE (SURPRISE). THIS VEHICLE HAS UNDER 40,000 MILES, IS DRIVEN LOCALLY TO SCHOOL AND GROCERY STORE SINCE PURCHASE AND IS LOOKING AT THIRD SET OF TIRES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW WHERE SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WITH TIRES REACHING DANGEROUS LEVELS WELL BEFORE THEY SHOULD. IF PEOPLE DON'T KEEP AN EYE ON THIS SITUATION SOMEONE WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE HURT OR KILLED. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE BEEN CROSS ROTATING TIRES TO TRY AND GET BETTER MILEAGE OR WEAR OUT OF THEM. I SHOWED OWNERS MANUAL TO SERVICE MANAGER SINCE THEIR BOOK THAT CAME WITH CAR INDICATES STANDARD DIRECTIONAL ROTATION. SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT IS MAKING EXCUSES SO THE COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 8, 2013, crash
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL. WAS COMING UP ON A CAR AND HIT BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. INSTEAD OF TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOWING THE CAR, HITTING THE BRAKE CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELETRATE. I COULD ONLY TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BY SLAMMING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES.
Exterior lighting, Feb 21, 2013
RED INNER COATING ON TAIL LIGHTS APPEARS TO HAVE MELTED, MAKING A HOLE THAT SHOWS WHITE LIGHT THROUGH THE TAIL LIGHT LENS SO THAT WHEN I AM BRAKING, IT LOOKS LIKE I MIGHT HAVE MY BACKUP LIGHTS ON. *TR THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO (MID-2012) BY A FRIEND WHO WAS FOLLOWING ME ON A TRIP AT NIGHT. AT THE TIME, THERE WERE SMALL "HOLES" IN THE RED PART OF THE TAIL LIGHTS. BY EARLY THIS MONTH, WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO A MAZDA DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THE HOLES HAD BECOME QUITE A BIT BIGGER. THEY STARTED AT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME OR NICKEL, LAST YEAR. NOW THEY ARE THE SIZE OF A HALF DOLLAR, AND ARE A BIGGER SAFETY HAZARD. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS. MAZDA TOLD ME TODAY THAT THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR'S TAIL LIGHTS HAD "NONSTANDARD" BULBS IN THEM, AND ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE BULB SOCKETS. IF SO, THEN THE TAIL LIGHTS CAME THAT WAY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR NEW. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THE CAR, AND I HAVE NEVER CHANGED ANY TAIL LIGHT BULBS IN IT.
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
Air bags, Dec 26, 2012, crash
I WAS MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE 69 FROM CENTER ROAD IN FLINT, MICHIGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 A.M. THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME MERGING AT THE SAME TIME. THAT VEHICLE MERGED IN FRONT OF A JEEP AND I MERGED BEHIND IT. THE DRIVER OF THE JEEP STATED THE VEHICLE MERGING IN FRONT OF HIM CUT HIM OFF CAUSING HIM TO BRAKE HARD AND SWERVE INTO CENTER LANE TO AVOID A CRASH. I BRAKED HARD TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE JEEP. THE DRIVER OF THE JEEP ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE IN THE CENTER LANE SWERVED INTO THE LEFT LANE CAUSING THE VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND UPON RE-ENTERING THE LEFT LANE OVER-CORRECTED AND SLID ACROSS CENTER LANE INTO RIGHT LANE HITTING THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL THEN GOING INTO 360 DEGREE SPIN AND COMING TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET FARTHER ALONG THE HIGHWAY AGAINST THE GUARDRAIL. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED IN THE CRASH. I HAVE A FRACTURED STERNUM AND BRUISES TO MY LEFT KNEE, RIGHT ARM AND LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK. [XXX] UD-10 SERIAL #77152 FLINT POLICE DEPT.- TRAFFIC DIVISION 210 E. FIFTH ST. FLINT, MI 48502 (810) 237-6890 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Wheels, Dec 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 EQUIPPED WITH SIEMENS SENSOR CDOV 847D TIRE VALVES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE, BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRES COLLAPSED INWARD AND BECAME DEFLATED. THE VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED WITH RUBBER VALVES STEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.