Most common 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Share of the 303 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazda3 complaints by model year
Best Mazda3 years: 2023, 2020, 2024. Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2008. Compare all years →
2008 Mazda Mazda3 recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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.
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.
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Mazda Mazda3:
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through…
What 2008 Mazda Mazda3 owners say
Steering all 117 →
The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Mazda 3. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to veer to the right causing the contact to crash into a fence and the mile marker. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
Wheels & tires all 54 →
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 now totaled due to the failure of the passenger side tire. Tire size was 205 55 16. There was no puncture holes on the tire so no reaason for the sudden loss of air.
In the summer of 2014, I was traveling on a major highway going approximately 60-65 MPH. My tire sensor light came on and, within just a few miles, my front driver's side tire blew out. I was able to safely guide my car to the shoulder without having an accident. Upon exiting my car and looking at my tire, I noticed the area around my valve stem was completely corroded. How I did not have an accident is an absolute miracle. On Wednesday, July 22, 2015, my tire sensor light came on. Knowing I would be traveling approximately 150 on that Saturday, I checked my tire pressure to see my front passengers side was down approximately 5 psi from the recommended 32 psi. I put air in my tire Friday night and went away on Saturday. On my more than 1 hour drive, my tire sensor came back on. I stopped at a gas station to find my tire psi was in the teens. …
Engine & cooling all 26 →
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 the insurance process now and will have more pictures and police report in hand shortly. I thought my wife and kids were in a safe car... I guess not.
10 minutes after my check engine light went on my car lost power to accelerate. I pulled over as soon as this started and by the time I was able to get off the highway my car died at the top of the off ramp. At this point it began billowing white smoke out from under the hood, out the tailpipe, and into the cabin of the car. It was not blue nor did it have an oil smell. I was originally travelling approximately 70 miles an hour when I started to lose power and in the minute or two it took me to get to the off ramp and at the time the car died I was going less than 5mph. When taken to the shop they said that 3 of the 4 cylinders had 0 remaining power and the fourth only had around 1/8th of the power that it should have had. They said that oil and coolant remained in the car at proper levels. My car has been well maintained and, again, the fluid levels were appropriate. …
2008 Mazda Mazda3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 a good car?
Based on 303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mazda3 rates avoid: 2.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Mazda3 at the same age. It is one of the Mazda3 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
The steering — 117 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about electric power assist system. Next are the wheels & tires (54) and engine & cooling (26).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, the most recent from June 15, 2011 (motor). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazda3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2020 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010, 2012 and 2008. See the full Mazda Mazda3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.