Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This is for a 2008.5 Mazda3. The issue I am reporting is with a "soft pedal" caused by a malfunction in the ABS system. This problem began when driving over a bump and simultaneously pressing down on the brakes. The brakes and ABS system engage and car slows down. However, after that, the pedal loses pressure and needs to be pushed all the way down to the floor in order to get the car to stop. This issue can be fixed by activating the ABS system again and coming to a complete stop. However, when braking over a bump again the issue continues to happen. It looks like this issue has recently started to become widely reported for Mazda3, mazda6, and Ford fusions. I am seeing that there is an investigation opened in December 2016 for the Ford fusion and the Mercury milan. I would like to report that this defect is also evident in Mazda's as well. …
I was driving on a 30 MPH road near my apartment and when I went to brake while moving, the brakes failed on my Mazda 3. I was pressing the brakes and then all of the sudden the pedal went to the floor and the car continued rolling. Luckily the car was not going fast and was able to roll to a stop with just the hand brake. My car only has 104,000 miles on the odometer. There were no lit up indicators on the dashboard and no warning signs before the catastrophic failure. Based on my trip to two mechanics and the dealership, the ABS unit failed and allowed air into the system which causes a catastrophic loss of brakes without warning. This is a serious and potentially deadly flaw that I believe Mazda should pay in full to remedy. This seems to be a common safety problem in Mazda cars from about 2004 to 2016 based on my research. I found multiple other sources that had the same problem.
#1 air bag warning dash light remains illuminated and has stayed illuminated for approximately 1 1/2+ years. There is no Mazda dealership in my area and I initially believed it was my responsibility to replace or repair at my expense due to the vehicle's age. #2 brakes: vehicle was recently serviced and comprehensive safety inspected on 6 nov 2018. I asked the shop to check the brake pedal for abnormal pressure. I felt the brake pedal was not maintaining a firm pedal push while driving, but at first felt firm then softened almost all the way to the floor board. I returned to the auto service to point this out and the representative responded no evidence of brake fluid leaking out and earlier while they drove it around their facility it felt fine, therefore it was OK to drive like this. Today is 3 December and it is still a mushy brake.
Break pedal movement necessary to activate brakes increased dramatically without warning. Activation of brakes requires brake pedal to be close to the floor of the pedal compartment. By "close" I mean with 2-3 inches. This occurred suddenly while in motion on a city street. After the increased travel of the brake pedal when applied, the brakes do activate to slow and stop the car but tend to more quickly actuate brakes which then require increased pedal pressure to stop motion of the car. This is not the normal brake system actuation and makes controlling break pedal pressure much more difficult. In wet road conditions this might present a dangerous condition. This occurred on February 19, 2018. The car will in be factory dealership repair shop on feb. 22, 2018.
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 since the car was shaking vigorously while braking at high speeds. Also the air bags did not deploy during the accident. Took car to a mechanic and the mechanic was amazed that based on the visual frontal damage to the car the air bags did not deploy.
Brakes became spongy after hard braking at interstate highway speed of 65 MPH. Afterward, sporadically, brakes would require several pumps of the pedal to build enough hydraulic pressure to stop the vehicle. I'm reporting this incident now after learning about Ford recall 19s54, NHTSA identifier 19V904. Brake parts on this car were made by fomoco. ABS hydraulic unit, p/n bvsn-43-7azd, was replaced by Mazda dealer to correct problem at a cost of $1200.
When I brake, the rotor separated into two pieces effectively removing my front brakes. Upon inspection of the rotor, it looks like they preferentially rusted at the interface between the rotor body and where the brake pads grab. It seemed strange, like a defect and no one I talked to had ever seen this before. May have just been a freak thing but figured I would report it because the situation could have been a lot worse if I was on a highway.
The vehicle when in motion attempting to brake has soft brakes that when engaged, the brake pedal moves to aprox. 1 inch from the floor. The brakes only slightly engage, however, if needed the ABS system and the braking ability is hindered when hard stopping. The rotors and pads were replaced, and the brake lines bled hoping to solve the issue. Yet, further diagnostics show that the ABS control module is faulty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. While driving approximately 10 to 15 MPH in the rain, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle continued to roll on its own and eventually stopped. The failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was notified. The contact stated that the vehicle had no traction control. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
The brake pedal goes too far before engaging. I've had the brake fluid replaced and after about 6 months, the problem has occured again. The research that I have done shows that it is a problem with the ABS actuator. There's appears to be a fault that allows pressure to bleed past the valves in the actuator. This is a serious problem as stopping distance is affected. There needs to be a recall.
Brake complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, 7% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mazda Mazda3 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 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 2008 Mazda Mazda3 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.