2008 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
387 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 55/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 34,200 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2008 Mazda Mazda3 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2009, 2013, 2016–2022.
Avoid
Where 2008 sits among all Mazda3 years
What owners report
“Airbag light is on.....lost power steering at only 110,000 miles...abs break system not working”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Mazda3
“2 tpms sensor valve stems were corroded, while filling the tires with air the stems broke off causing tires to go flat. The remaining 2 did not look any better. Had tire dealer replace all 4 at $280 dollars”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Mazda3
“My left rear tail red tail light went out. I tried to change it but it has melted to the wires and the light housing. I am unable to change it. I am afraid this melting is a dangerous issue because it's a possible fire hazard. I searched the internet and have found many other mazda owners with this…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Mazda3
“At light and check engine light come on. While driving on freeway hard shifts automatically from 5th gear down to a harsh 3rd gear. Cannot get at light to shut off, replaced solinoids, tcm, pcm and still cannot locate the issue. Car will not go past 3rd gear. Car is still under 80k miles.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Mazda3
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 320 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 47,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 26,583 and 80,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 10V374000.
Technical service bulletins
223 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2008 Mazda3 TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The 2008 Mazda Mazda3 drew 387 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 55/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).
What are the most common 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 are steering (117 complaints), wheels & tires (75), and electrical (34).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems around 47,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 26,583 and 80,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Mazda Mazda3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.