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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 28, 2010
SEVERE STEERING SHAKE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. VEHICLE IS ONLY 12 MOS. OLD WITH 10,000 MILES. *TR
Steering, Apr 25, 2010
MY MAZDA 3 SEDAN LOST ITS POWER STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND DEBRIS IN THE STEERING FLUID. THEY REPLACED THE FLUID, THE FLUID LINES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO THE COST OF $1,400 COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. MY CAR IS APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS OLD - PURCHASED JANUARY 31, 2009. *TR
Steering, Apr 13, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA3 AS NORMAL. I WENT TO TURN AT A LIGHT AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO BARELY COMPENSATE BUT ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING DIDN'T REACT AS I EXPECTED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS RESET. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN CRACKS IN THE TUBING ALLOWING MOISTURE INTO THE SYSTEM THAT SHORTS OUT THE PUMP AND CAUSES THE FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN IF NOT CORRECTED. THEY REPLACED THE TUBES AND THE PUMP AT NO COST TO ME BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL OR AT LEAST BEEN REPORTED AS A POSSIBILITY TO OWNERS. THIS IS HIGHLY UNSAFE AND IF IT HAPPENED AT THE WRONG TIME SUCH AS ON AN EXPRESSWAY COULD HAVE LED TO A SEVERE CRASH. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *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.
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2010
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 7/09. ON 1/6/10, VEHICLE FAILED TO START, AT FIRST CRANKING WITH NO ENGINE START THEN COMPLETE DISCHARGE OF SYSTEMS (NO CRANKING, NO BATTERY POWER WHATSOEVER). BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "MAIN RELAY" WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS THE REASON BATTERY WAS NOT HOLDING ITS CHARGE. RELAY WAS REPLACED. SAME EVENTS AGAIN OCCURRED ON 3/3/10. CAR REMAINS IN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR. CAR REMAINS INOPERABLE WHEN THESE EVENTS OCCUR. *TR
Seats, Mar 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2009 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, HE EXPERIENCED NUMBNESS IN HIS LEFT ARM UP TO HIS FINGERS BECAUSE HE LEFT HIS ELBOW ON THE ARM REST. A DOCTOR TOLD HIM THAT HE MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOOD CLOT. HE FELT THAT THE ARM REST MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HARD. HE EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000.
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON 2009 MAZDA M3. HAD TWO OCCURRENCES, AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. AUTO WAS CHECKED VIA COMPUTER AND I WAS BASICALLY ACCUSED OF BEING DISHONEST. 1 MONTH LATER, WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP THE POWER STEERING AGAIN WENT OUT (CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH), TOOK A PICTURE OF DASHBOARD TO ELIMINATE BEING DISMISSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE ANOTHER APPT WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Visibility, Feb 24, 2010
DEFECTIVE VIBRATING DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR AT ANY TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TRAFFIC ON DRIVER'S SIDE APPEARS BLURRY AND DISTORTED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PROBLEM PERSISTS EVEN AFTER NEW MIRROR INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 14, 2010
SEVERE STEERING SHAKE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 14 MOS. OLD WITH 18,000 MILES. *TR
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
Air bags, Oct 19, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH A TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVING 45 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOTIFIED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,700.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2009, crash
MY SON WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (T-BONED) AND NO SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *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
Steering, Jul 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO PERFORM CORRECTLY WITHOUT ANY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURED THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL BE READY. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,240 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,270.
Parking brake, Jun 11, 2009, crash
CAR IS A 2009 MAZDA SPEED3, ONE MONTH OLD. I SET THE BRAKE OF THE CAR AND IT ONLY WENT UP 2 CLICKS. THE CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WITH NOBODY IN THE CAR AND HIT A TREE. EMERGENCY BRAKE HARD TO PULL UP TO SET PROPERLY. I DID A TEST ON A STEEP SLOPE, AND THE EBRAKE DID NOT HOLD. A HARD YANK WITH TWO HANDS MADE THE BRAKE HOLD, AND NOW THE BRAKE WILL GO UP 5 CLICKS WITH EASE AND HOLDS. *TR
Tires, Apr 30, 2009
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ON MY 2009 MAZDA3 5-DOOR: GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A 205/50 R17 ARE SHOWING PREMATURE WEAR AT 12,000 MILES. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT GOODYEAR WARRANTIES THE TIRES. THE GOODYEAR PAMPHLET PROVIDED ONLY WARRANTIES "WORKMANSHIP" WEAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER "ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS". THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF GOODYEARS THAT HAVE COME AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SHOWED PREMATURE WEAR. I FEEL THAT GOODYEAR DOES THIS INTENTIONALLY TO INFLATE THEIR AFTERMARKET SALES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO SWAP TIRES WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALL VEHICLES ON THE LOT HAD THE SAME TERRIBLE GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A. *TR
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
Tires, Feb 14, 2009
WE PURCHASED A 2009 MAZDA 3 AND HAVE FOUND THE CAR/TIRE COMBINATION TO BE UNSAFE FOR WINTER DRIVING ON SHOW AND ICE. THE CAR HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A TIRES WHICH ARE "ALL SEASON" RATED TIRES. THERE NEEDS TO BE STRICTER REQUIREMENTS FOR CARS SOLD IN NOTHERN STATES AND FOR TIRES THAT USE THE "ALL SEASON" DESIGNATION. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION WHILE DRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BECAUSE THE CARS IN FRONT OF HER WERE ABLE TO STOP MUCH MORE QUICKLY. THIS CAR/TIRE COMBINATION PROVIDED EXTREMELY LOW TRACTION ON PACKED SHOW AND ICE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MAZDA HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TIRES SO THE CAR IS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN WHEN THERE IS SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROADS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 31, 2009
TURBO SEALS LEAKING OIL CAUSING VEHICLE TO SMOKE AT IDLE. COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND ON MAZDASPEED6 AND ON THE CX7. *TR