VehicleVerdict

2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 387 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Mazda3 year — the 2008 model ranks #2 of 23 Mazda3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 32 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 117 reports (30% of the total).

387

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

41

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

32

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Mazda3 years?

Mazda3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted920 complaints2004: 185 complaints2005: 127 complaints2006: 224 complaints2007: 301 complaints2008: 387 complaints2009: 140 complaints2010: 920 complaints2011: 179 complaints2012: 328 complaints2013: 176 complaints2014: 180 complaints2015: 154 complaints2016: 137 complaints2017: 105 complaints2018: 139 complaints2019: 117 complaints2020: 50 complaints2021: 66 complaints2022: 31 complaints2023: 20 complaints2024: 20 complaints2025: 8 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Mazda3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mazda3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering11730%
Tires & Wheels7519%
Engine267%
Airbags226%
Brakes226%
Electrical System195%
Lighting174%
Visibility & Wipers164%
Suspension154%
Transmission154%
Other123%
Speed Control103%
Fuel System92%
Body & Structure82%
Seat Belts41%

Does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V329000Visibility & WipersJune 15, 2011 · 103,300 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

10V374000SteeringAugust 12, 2010 · 215,000 units

Defect

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.

09E011000OtherApril 2, 2009 · 2,323 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS CURVING TO THE RIGHT. CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND RAN ALONG A RAIL UNTIL THE I BRAKED THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. LAST YEAR I HAD THE MAZDA SERVICED WHICH THEY HAD FIXED THE RECALL SUPPOSEDLY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 25, 2015 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TURN GOING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE TIRE SUDDENLY LOST AIR PRESSURE AND RAN ME OFF THE ROAD. I WAS LEFT IN THE CREEK WITH MY TWO AND THREE YEAR OLD. TWO GUYS HELPED ME GET THE KIDS AND MYSELF OUT THE CAR SAFELY. MY CAR IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 7, 2017 · crash

“CAR ACCIDENT GOING AROUND 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY, HIT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON DUE TO BLACK ICE AND RAIN, SPINNING TWICE HITTING GUARDRAILS AGAIN FRONT AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES, NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE SEATBELT AS I'M SURE DEATH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THAT FAILED TOO. GOING THROUGH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 16, 2016 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A WASHBOARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS LOOSENED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 16, 2010 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH, TRIED TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT WAS UNSAFELY CHANGING LANES. PUSHED BRAKES AND VEERED TOWARDS LEFT. THE BRAKES (WHICH ARE NOT ABS) RESPONDED SLOWLY AND I SLAMMED IN THE MIDDLE DIVIDER. A COUPLE MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE DEALER HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 3, 2008 · crash

2008 Mazda Mazda3 — common questions

Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 387 complaints put the 2008 model at #2 of 23 Mazda3 years. It is one of the Mazda3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Mazda3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (117 complaints), tires & wheels (75 complaints), engine (26 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Mazda Mazda3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda Mazda3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mazda3 years to avoid are 2010, 2008, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2011, 2013. The cleanest record among Mazda3 years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.