Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My vehicle felt shaky which caused me to swerve slightly causing my back passenger tire to run over a curb. After the scare it seemed to drive like normal. I only had about a 5 minute drive to work. When getting to work, after being inside a few minutes, a coworker pointed out that smoke was coming from the car. I went with a coworker to check, we opened the hood and flames were present in the front close to where the belts are. We quickly put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, and I have not touched the vehicle. This happened on 5/03/19.
I have been having issues with this vehicle ever since I purchased it from a dealership in woodbridge, va. The car's gears does not shift correctly and the engine continuously stalls. If I'm at a traffic light and the light switches from red to green the vehicle jumps as if it's going to cut off. My at light also came on and my check engine light comes on and off. Every time the vehicle's engine light is checked, it's because of "the thermostat" which I've seen many complaints from owners of the same type of vehicle. Although, the engine code is coming up as an issue with the thermostat, there's actually never an issue. I searched my VIN and its stating there are no open recalls for my vehicle, but I'm having the same issues as the open recalls for this particular make and model for 2007. …
Upon stopping at a red light my car started shaking really badly and then shut off. This has happened on numerous occasions since the initial incident. When the brakes are not applied, the engine will not shake, but obviously for safety reasons, the breaks must be applied while stopped at a traffic light. On 3 other occasions the car turned off just as I was giving it gas to start going again, resulting in me having to coast over to the shoulder (with the car being off and no power steering to assist) in order to get my car started again. This is a dangerous fault that I have seen so many people complain of. I have read it is due to a faulty purge solenoid valve along with other things, but no one at Mazda seems to know or care much about it.
The car idles very high which prevents it from shifting into gear most of the time. The idle and rpms will also accelerate when no one is touching the gas while driving making the car speed up when you are not speeding up. When these issues are happening the car also shuts off while driving it (while it is still on and being driven down the road) or sometimes will rev up when you push on the break causing it to launch forward. My car has almost caused several accidents because it died while driving it on the freeway and the starring wheel locked and could not be turned to drive me off to the side of the road. It has also launched forward while braking causing me to almost hit cars in front of me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mazda 3. While driving various speeds, the transmission control module failed and the vehicle began jerking and shaking. Also, when the gears were shifted, the vehicle jerked violently. In addition, the "check engine" and "automatic transmission" indicators illuminated. Wilson automotive in orange county, california was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,400.
Was driving down the freeway and all of a sudden it sounded like I ran over a large piece of debris and the car jolted. I tried to accelerate but there was no response and safely pulled over. Turned the car off and tried to turn it back on but there was no turnover. Looked at it and there was oil mixed with metal shards and a crack in the engine. Took it to the dealership of purchase and it was determined that the engine had blown. Let the manufacturer know but they did nothing to help.
The check engine came on. I took the car twice to a Mazda trained mechanic who was not able to solve the problem. The diagnostic tool showed a p-2177 code. Many other Mazda owners have had this problem. The indicator check engine came on while driving on the interstate. See http://www.mazda3forums.com/61-powertrain-2004-2009-Mazda3/386097-CEL-dreaded-p2177-code-no-solvable-reason.html
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mazda 3. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power, steering ability, and the radio shut off. Also, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was similar to the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V374000 (steering). The failure mileage was 210,548.
When I start the car and start driving the power steering stiffens and the dash board lights go on and off and the head lights like its losing power. Then is I push the gas to go the vehicle will shut off with the steering will being hard to turn this happened while backing up and starting to drive on the redidential street
The fiberglass tunnel heat shield had deteriorated and parts of the fiberglass were falling onto the exhaust piping and catalytic converter and burning. The odor from the burning was noticeable both inside the car and when standing outside next to the engine. Burning occurred both when the car was stationary and in motion.
Engine complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Mazda Mazda3, 14% of the model year's 222 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Mazda Mazda3 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Mazda Mazda3, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Mazda Mazda3 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.