VehicleVerdict

2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Mazda Mazda3 sits mid-pack among Mazda3 years: 140 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 139, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 45 reports (32% of the total).

140

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Mazda3 years?

Mazda3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mazda3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels4532%
Steering3626%
Electrical System96%
Brakes86%
Transmission64%
Lighting54%
Airbags54%
Fuel System54%
Body & Structure43%
Other43%
Suspension43%
Speed Control32%
Engine32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seats11%

Does the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?

4 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.

09V187000Electrical SystemMay 29, 2009 · 7,100 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

Remedy

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.

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.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 30, 2009

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 27, 2010 · crash

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 3, 2010

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 19, 2009 · crash

“I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT, BUT AN UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ADJACENT CURB AND ONTO A CITY FIRE HYDRANT. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE GROUND HAD BEEN WET, BUT IT WAS NOT RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 7, 2010 · crash

2009 Mazda Mazda3 — common questions

Is the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mazda3: 140 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2009 Mazda3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (45 complaints), steering (36 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints).

Does the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Mazda Mazda3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 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.