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.
Parking brake, Dec 22, 2010, crash
MAZDA3 2009: PARKING BRAKE OFTEN INADEQUATE BY ITSELF TO KEEP CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS ON SLIGHT INCLINE. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITH MY CAR AND ONCE MORE WITH A RELATIVE WHO OWNS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF THIS CAR. *TR
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
Steering, Nov 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 03/03/11
Tires, Sep 27, 2010
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
Steering, Sep 21, 2010
MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GR TOURING HAS TWICE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. FIRST: WHEN IDLING ON VERY HOT DAY. RESTARTING THE CAR RESTORED POWER. SECOND, WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC JAM ON PA TURNPIKE. RESTARTING DID NOT RESTORE POWER. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I'M A HEALTHY MAN AND I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO THE SERVICE PLAZA. AFTER SITTING, POWER ASSIST CAME BACK. I'M NOT AN OPTIMIST ABOUT GETTING DEALERS TO FIX INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. I NEVER TOOK THE CAR IN. IN MY OPINION, THE CAR IS ONLY CAPABLE OF MILD AND MINIMAL STEERING DURING THIS FAILURE. MAZDA'S STATEMENT THAT IT POSES NO SAFETY PROBLEM IS WRONG. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THIS CAR QUICKLY UNDER THIS FAILURE. *TR
Steering, Aug 24, 2010
1. I WAS STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM IN MAY 31ST AND WHEN I HAD TO TURN AFTER A WHILE, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. 2. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT FAILED UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. IT HAS WORKED FINE SINCE THEN. 3. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. THE CAR IS A 2009 MAZDA 3, 4-DOOR, TR VE. *TR
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
ON A FEW SEPARATE OCCASIONS (APPROXIMATELY THREE) DURING ESPECIALLY HOT WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA 3. ONE ESPECIALLY CONCERNING INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I HAVE PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND TURNED IT BACK ON, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR THE MOST PART. HOWEVER, ON ONE OCCASION, WHICH OCCURRED IN 100+ DEGREE WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN AND THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING STRUCTURE TO COOL DOWN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AND ULTIMATELY CORRECTED. *TR
Steering, Aug 17, 2010
POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GT SPORT IN 2 INCIDENTS - JULY 14, 2010 AND AUGUST 11, 2010. IN BOTH CASES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR. ONCE I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER LIT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATIONAL AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Aug 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, PROCEEDED INTO THE LEFT LANE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SWAYED FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ENGAGING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN STEERING CONTROL AND CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TWO FRONT WHEEL BALL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE NOISE STOPPED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE AT LOW SPEEDS TO AVOID THE UNINTENDED SWAYING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,681.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 11, 2010
I HAVE A 2009 MAZDA 3 WITH 9200 MILES. THEIR HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING THE GAS CAP IS NOT SECURE. TODAY, 8/11/2010 THE GAS CAP WAS STUCK AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET REMOVED AND INSTALL A NEW GAS CAP. THE SERVICE MAN, JIM COLTREP SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD ABOUT GAS CAPS SEIZING. MY DAUGHTER IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER SHE DOESN'T NEED THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER CAN'T GUARANTEE ME THAT I WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I SEE ON THE WEB A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MAZDA 3 GAS CAP PROBLEM. WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE CORRECTED ON A NEAR PERMANENT BASIS? *TR
Steering, Aug 11, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY POLE, SECONDS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 22500.
Steering, Jul 26, 2010
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, LOSS OF STEERING POWER OCCURRED WHEN TURNING QUICKLY IN THE EACH/OPPOSITE DIRECTION. LOSS OF POWER INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALCY. MAZDA DEALERSHIP (DENNIS DILLON, BOISE, ID) WAS CALLED THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY WANTED TO IMMEDIATELY LOOK AT THE CAR. THE TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS MAY BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. PARTS WERE ORDERED (STEERING HOSES, ASSEMBLY, ETC.), AND SERVICE COMPLETED WITHIN 3 DAYS. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 26, 2010
LOST CONTROL OF 2009 MAZDA 3 ON WET ROAD. IT FELT LIKE DSC WOULD NOT LET ME CONTROL THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Jul 19, 2010
(2009 MAZDA 3I TOURING VALUE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 94 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDESTREET, GOING NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARDER TO TURN & THEN I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP WITH THE POWER STEERING ICON. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2010
WHEN SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN MY 2009 MAZDA3 4-DOOR SEDAN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED WORKING. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT). I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH MUCH EFFORT TO MAKE TURNS. PARKED CAR IN GARAGE. 5 MINUTES LATER RETURNED TO CHECK IT AGAIN. STARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING WAS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2010
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN MY 2009 MAZDA 3, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP SEVERELY AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO RESTORE THE POWER STEERING. A MILE UP THE ROAD, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2010
GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, CAR GOT UP TO 80 MILES AN HOUR. UNABLE TO STOP CAR, FINALLY SLAMMED ON THE GAS PEDAL THREE TIMES AND IT DISLODGED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Jul 12, 2010, crash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NAVIGATING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH POWER STEERING FAILED AND DASH LIGHT CAME ON. WAS UNABLE TO TURN VEHICLE IN TIME AND HIT A CURB, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE RIM AND TIRE. *TR
Steering, Jul 7, 2010
JUST COMPLETED A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES. UPON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ITS POWER STEERING. VERY HARD STEERING WHEN TRYING TO FINISH PARKING THE VEHICLE. WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR, STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN OPERATIONAL. *TR
Steering, Jul 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TEMPERATURE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED WAS OVER A 100 DEGREES. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED STATING THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THAT HE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,000.
Steering, Jul 3, 2010
MY 22 YEAR OLD SON WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH OUR 2009 MAZDA3, WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY IN THE 90'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ALSO ON. HE DID NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, WITH SOME DIFFICULTY, WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. WHEN I WENT TO LOOK AT IT LATER, AFTER THE CAR HAD COOLED DOWN, IT WAS FINE. THE CAR PURCHASED USED AND HAS 42K MILES; SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE DID NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO MY WIFE ON A CURVY ROAD IT COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE SO FAR. *TR
Steering, Jul 2, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENTLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, FOLLOWED BY THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 13, 2010
AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE CAR/STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AND PULSATE. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A WARPED DISC CAUSED BY THE WAY THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND ONLY AN ANNOYANCE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 12K MILES AND IS 14 MONTHS OLD. *TR
Suspension, May 4, 2010
MY 2009 MAZDA3 5-DOOR HAS A LOOSE NUT WHICH CONNECTS THE RIGHT REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR TO THE SUSPENSION. BASED ON AN ONLINE MAZDA FORUM, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. THERE IS NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL, AND MAZDA REFUSES TO EVEN COVER THIS UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. *TR