Most common 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazdaspeed3 complaints by model year
Best Mazdaspeed3 years: 2011, 2012. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2010. Compare all years →
2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 recalls (1)
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.
What 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 23 →
I was driving on a city road doing 35-40mph in 4th gear. I let off the gas while in 4th and coasted to about 20mph then shifted to n and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I tried to shift to 1st an the shifter went half way in between r and 1st, so I shifted back to n and tried 1st again. Then the whole shifter broke off and was just laying there. Now my car is stuck in 3rd gear.
While shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear at low speed, the shifter for my manual transmission broke off in my hand. After coasting to the side of the road and removing the console, I discovered it snapped in half at the location of the retention pin.
Engine & cooling
Vehicle motor fails catastrophically without warning causing fire. My wife was driving her Mazda speed3 at highway speed when the motor failed without warning and caused an engine compartment fire. This event happened one time, causing damage to the car the approaches its total loss value. A Mazda dealer has inspected the car and found that the motor failed due to insufficient oil level; however, at the time of the failure there was no indication that the oil had fallen to low level. The dash low oil pressure indicator light did not come on until after the motor stopped running. Mazda has denied warranty coverage, saying that the fault is due to the Mazda dealer that performed the last oil change service did not install the oil drain plug properly. The car has not been repaired and is available for inspection. The california highway patrol stopped to provide roadside assistance.
The issue first begun (05/04/09) when the engine missed fired while driving on the hwy, which cause the car to feel as if it was going to stall. After that incident, a knocking noise in the engine compartment was apparent. There was also vibration from that noise that can be felt through the pedals of the car. I brought the car to the dealer, which was sierra Mazda of monrovia, ca, and I explain the whole situation, they only looked at the car for about 15mins and then said it was a clutch related issue that was not covered under warranty. I told them that the noise was a great concern to me since I read that some customer with the same model car experienced the same problems before their engine blew (tossed a rod). …
2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mazdaspeed3 rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Mazdaspeed3 at the same age. It is one of the Mazdaspeed3 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 Mazdaspeed3?
The transmission & drivetrain — 23 complaints, 70% of all complaints for this model year, most often about manual transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (5) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, 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 Mazdaspeed3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008 and 2010. See the full Mazda Mazdaspeed3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 57% 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.