Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving on the highway I heard a loud clatter like a rock in the wheel well and the saw something bounce out from the side of my car. Moments later the car began to shake and veer to the left. I was able to move over and pull of to the side of the highway to find that my valve stem on my wheel had lost the nut holding it in place so that the valve fell into the tire leaving a large hole. After having the tire replaced (it was destroyed) I saw that the valve (which was part of the TPMS) was corroded and could be easily snapped in half. Another of these valves had failed four months prior so I think this is a common problem. Mazda refuses to believe there is anything wrong with their part and suggests that I continue to drive with the remaining sensors.
Driving on highway, tire pressure light came on, immediately went to side of road and tire ruined. Had trouble directing car to side of road. Fortunately, nobody was around. The tire sensor came apart. On 2 other tires, the were breaking, so had to be replaced. Ruined tire happened in 2014, but repaired tires were in 2015.
Tire pressure sensors corrode and fall apart causing tires to go flat instantly. I have had 3 of the original sensors fail and the most recent one (2-16-16) also destroyed the tire. This happened to my wife on 2-16-16. These original sensors are a safety hazard and should be recalled.
TPMS valve stems replace ordinary rubber valve stems for 2009 (possibly other years) Mazda 3. They are made of aluminum and are prone to corrosion (see Mazda TSB 02-004/06). Mazda has stated the cause of the corrosion to be "after market" valve stem caps, and dissimilar metals when in fact aluminum will corrode without a dissimilar metal being present. Corrosion on the valve stem will lead to a breakage during routine maintenance as pointed out in the TSB, but can also cause a valve stem to be weak enough that it breaks free during normal operation. This would cause a catastrophic failure of the tire due to rapid deflation, creating a very unsafe operating condition with no warning. The TPMS system is designed as a safety feature, but in this case is causing hazardous conditions with no notification to the operator. …
Aug 2011, I was driving on the autobahn in Germany when my rear tire suddenly and completely deflated at high speed. The mechanic said the tire pressure sensors valve hex nut broke off and caused the tire to deflate, also destroyed my tire. Jan 2012, the same thing happened. This time the front tire was nearly flat and the sensor hex nut was broken and barely attached. I touched the nut and it disintegrated in my hand. The tire immediately lost pressure and deflated. The inside of the nut was completely corroded, along with the sensor valve. I wrote Mazda and they said they couldn't help me because the mileage was past my warranty and they do not guarantee life expectancy of any part. They didn't address my safety concerns about a tire suddenly deflating at high speed. I strongly suggest Mazda investigate this corrosion problem with the tire pressure sensors. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda 3. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the front passenger side tire blew. The contact inspected the failure and discovered that the front passenger valve stem casting was disintegrated. Also, the rear passenger side valve stem casting was cracked. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where the front passenger side tire sensor and valve stem were removed. The mechanic replaced the valve stem with a standard valve stem yet the sensor was not replaced. The vehicle was later taken to a second independent mechanic to repair the cracked tire valve stem on the rear passenger side. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was concerned that the front and rear driver side valves would experience the same failure. The manufacturer stated that the repairs for those valves would not be covered under warranty because the valves had not failed. …
I purchased a new 2009 Mazda 3. On two separate occasions and on two different tires I have experienced a TPMS alarm followed by a rapid deflation of tire pressure due to the tire valve stem breaking off. Fortuitously, both times this occurred while I was driving in my neighborhood at a low rates of speed. I am concerned of the consequences if this occurred at highway speeds. Mazda claims this is due to corrosion induced by metal after-market valve stem caps, but the caps I have are factory original and appear to be made of plastic. I believe Mazda has a design/materials of construction issue with these aluminum valves stems and that they should be redesigned and replaced. In both cases I had to take the vehicle to the dealer and have new stems installed but I now fear the remaining original stems will shear off or the problem will repeat itself with the new stems.
I constantly have issues with my tire pressure being low. I went to fill my tires up for the 3rd time in 4 months and as I put the compressor to the tire valve, the valve snapped off. All the air poured out of my tire. Luckily I wasn't driving at the time. I changed the tire to my donut and drove immediately to my tire center. They looked at the broken valve and told me it had corroded and that the whole tpm system would have to be replaced. He also went on to tell me that this is common. I asked him "so, should I be worried about this happening again with a different tire?" and he said that he would be lying to me if he told me that I shouldn't be concerned. $150 and 4 hours later, I had a new tpm system in that tire. Keeping my fingers crossed every day that it doesn't happen again.
Purchased my 2009 Mazda in January, 2009. I had to replace the tires 7/ 30/10 because they were almost bald. They didn't even have 16,000 miles on them! Less than 16,000 miles in 18 months shows I'm not a hot rodder who abused my tires. I had them rotated at least once during the time I had them; I don't think lack in rotating the tires would cause all four tires to go bald! Good thing I noticed it before I got a blow out. Even if they are specialty/performance tires, to need replacement of tires before 16,000 miles is ridiculous! This is my 4th Mazda and I must say I am disappointed at the quality of tires they have on a new vehicle, less than 16,000 is not acceptable. I now have new tires which have 10,000 miles on them and you can hardly tell they have been used. Cost me $650!
Please note: this is the third instance of this part/system failure! The aluminum tire air valve is susceptible to cracking and breaking! The metal tire valve cracked while driving, causing a sudden and instant loss of tire pressure. These are faulty valves, this is the third time this has happened on different tires. If the temperature drops the chances of this failure accruing is severely multiplied. These valves rot and just give out with no warning. Please recall this part! There are hundreds of reports and videos online about this problem. I have contacted Mazda after all three of these occurrences and they are claiming "driver error"! They refuse to admit this is a problem even though there have been thousands of complaints about these valves.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2009 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2009 Mazda Mazda3, 31% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Mazda Mazda3 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3, though it has 3 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 2009 Mazda Mazda3 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 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.