2009 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
140 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 18/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Wheels & tires leads the reports, typically around 42,500 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2009 sits among all Mazda3 years
What owners report
“Tire pressure sensors corrode and fall apart causing tires to go flat instantly. I have had 3 of the original sensors fail and the most recent one (2-16-16) also destroyed the tire. This happened to my wife on 2-16-16. These original sensors are a safety hazard and should be recalled.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Mazda3
“The power steering cuts out while driving and the electricity for the car cuts out for a second or two and then it comes back on. This happens frequently when turning the steering wheel.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Mazda3
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 114 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 36,430 miles. Half of those reports fall between 18,000 and 58,612 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
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…
Fix: 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.
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
224 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2009 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 2009 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The 2009 Mazda Mazda3 drew 140 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 18/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).
What are the most common 2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 are wheels & tires (45 complaints), steering (36), and electrical (10).
At what mileage do 2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems around 36,430 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 18,000 and 58,612 miles.
Does the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2009 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.