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 2008 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Car was vibrating a lot when in gear and holding brakes replaced motor mounts and throttle body to fix issue. Also when slowing down and speeding back up the transmission grinds when down shifting. Feels like it is slipping and is not safe if you are driving on the highway or in the city and want to switch lanes and speed up I'm afraid one day I'm going to switch lanes hit the gas and the transmission will fail. The carmax I got the car from insists it is just a transmission "shutter" and it happens with certain cars. I will be getting a second opinion from an ase certified transmission shop. Dealership made me think it was brake pads at first I paid $300 to have perfectly good pads replaced with new ones to have the problem not fixed. I am extremely irritated with dealership trying to get around fixing the car. Other than those 2 problems the car is great.
This vehicle has had 3 repeated major service repair attempts related to the TCM, PCM at light, check engine/transmission light trying to resolve this issue permanently. This vehicle was in motion and stationary on a city street when experiencing all of these problems. This vehicle has only approximately 68,000 miles. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed by Mazda or buy back this vehicle. No one should have to be faced with these kinds of concerns. These systemic issues has not been favorable in my view and will having a major determing effect in future car purchase. Brand loyalty. [blah, blah, blah...] 4-3-2019 at 9:27 am
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to sputter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor was seized into the catalytic converter and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the steering had excessive movement, while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,352.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact noticed smoke from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The contact then opened the hood and noticed flames. The fire spread throughout the entire vehicle. The fire department reported to the scene. There was no report filed. The insurance provider had the vehicle towed to a collision center. The vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
My Mazda3 dies while I am driving without any indication of what is going on (no check engine light). When it does, I wait for a while and it will start back up again! My shop and I have tried everything we can, but we can't figure out why it is doing that! I called the manufacture and they said it was recalled for power steering assist failure and fixed in 2010 but to us it sounds it is that issue causing it to stop while in motion! This car is unsafe!! No car should stop in motion from nowhere! The manufacture should be responsible for that!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. While driving at various speeds, the atv and check engine lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the highway to restart the vehicle, but the warning lights were still illuminated. In addition, the vehicle jerked while driving and accelerated on its own. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the housing rod was cracked. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Aeveral recalls for 2008 Mazda3..... However my VIN isnt assosiated with any and I have all the problema. Power steerings unit stripped2 or the 3 bolts holes ans fell down from cracked engine mounts slight rattling..... Stationary and moving. Idle is at 500-1,000 rpms very odd feeling. Random body damage and entire of bottom engine rusty.... Paint rusts as well. Just bought the car on finance and really need some help
July 11, 2011. 34443 miles. Constant running of electric radiator fan when vehicle is running caused by complete failure of OEM water pump. Unit replaced by another OEM water pump. November 01, 2017. 97841 miles. Complete failure of second OEM water pump. Unit replaced by a third OEM water pump.
Engine complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, 9% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mazda Mazda3 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 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.