2008 Mazda Mazda3 Complaint Log

I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED WHEN WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR JERKS SUDDENLY. I WAS EXTREMELY STARTLED AS IT FELT LIKE I HAD BROKEN AN AXLE OR RAN OVER SOMETHING BIG IN THE ROAD. FOR UNAWARE DRIVERS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THEY SWERVE IN REACTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 MORE TIMES IN A 1 HR DRIVE AND JUST KEPT ON HAPPENING WHENEVER I DROVE IT FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR LOWER SPEEDS, I THEN NOTICED THAT MY DISPLAY SHOWED THE GEAR TO DROP FROM 5TH SUDDENLY INTO 3RD OR 4TH TO 3RD. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF MAZDA 3S, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO A RECALL AS IT IS NOT SAFE ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING REPEATEDLY. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, BUT THESE THINGS ARE MADE OF CERAMIC (APPARENTLY), GET FULL OF SALT AND/OR OTHER ROAD DETRITUS, AND THEN FALL APART, CAUSING A FLAT TIRE PLUS ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE FANCY THINGS. INSTEAD OF REPORTING A PROBLEM, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY WHAT THEY ARE FOR, THEY ARE THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THREE SO FAR; I'VE TAKEN TO BUYING THEM ONLINE IN MULTIPLES; GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT A DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE ME FOR ONE PLUS THE INSTALLATION. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE RUINATION OF MY VERY NICE TIRES, AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN ONE IS GOING TO FAIL AGAIN, BUT IT'S A LEAD PIPE CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE. I'M CONSIDERING SIMPLY REPLACING THEM AS THEY FAIL WITH ORDINARY VALVE STEMS, AND COVERING THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WITH A BIT OF ELECTRICIANS' TAPE. NOT QUITE THE INTENDED OUTCOME, I'M THINKING..... *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THIRD DEGREE INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE FIFTH GEAR. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, NOT TRACTION, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN INFORMED HIM THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 87,000. DT

I WAS INFORMED BY MY FRIEND DRIVING IN BACK OF ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS SEEMED TO BE MELTING AWAY, I LOOKED AT THE LIGHT AND REALIZED IT WAS THE LIGHT BULB MELTING THE COVER FOR THE BRAKE. I ASKED MAZDA WHAT WAS THE REASON BUT THEY DIDN'T LOOK INTO IT AND JUST ADVISED ME THE AMOUNT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THIS FIXED BUT BECAUSE THEY ADVISED ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DAMAGE THAT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DAMAGE, I JUST LEFT IT ALONE UNTIL THE LIGHT BULB WENT OUT AND I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO REPLACE IT NOT TO GET HURT FROM IT. AS 1 MONTH PASSED, I REALIZED THAT THE COVER WAS MELTING AWAY AND IT LOOKED JUST LIKE A BACKUP LIGHT AND ALSO REALIZED THAT MY RIGHT SIDE WAS DOING THE SAME. I THOUGHT IT THIS RED COVER WEARS AWAY, THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVERS IN BACK OF ME THAT WOULD ONLY PAY ATTENTION TO THE RED LIGHTS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. THIS MAY BE A HAZARD ON THE ROAD AND LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IF DRIVERS WERE NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER RED. I THEN STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND NOTICED ON THE MAZDA FORUM THAT MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME SITUATION AS ME, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN LOOK INTO IT. *JS

THE RED PLASTIC ON MY TAIL LIGHT HAS MELTED. I ASSUME THAT THIS COULD HAVE AT SOME POINT CREATED A FIRE OR SOME OTHER SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA EVEN IF THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND MOVE TO ACTION AGAINST MAZDA FOR THIS FLAW IN THEIR MANUFACTURING. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THIS PART AND IT WILL COST ABOUT $600.00. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN FORT LAUDERDAE, FL BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED. I WAS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND THANK GOD I REMEMBERED MY DAD SAYING THAT YOUR HIGH BEAMS ARE A BACKUP SYSTEM. THIS WORKED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR LAMP FAILURES ON HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS AT NO COST? NOW BOTH FAILED AT ONCE, THE INTERNET IS FLOODED WITH WITH COMPLAINTS. IS MY CARE SAFE? I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERS, THEY NEVER CHARGE ME FOR LAMP REPAIRS, ARE THEY HIDING SOMETHING? *TR

TAIL-LIGHTS OVERHEAT CAUSING THE TAILLIGHTS TO GO OUT AND MELTING SOCKETS AND RED LENSES. REPLACED SOCKET ASSEMBLIES (OEM) AND BULBS (OEM), THEN HAD TO REPLACE LENS ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE WHITE LIGHT COMES OUT INSTEAD OF RED. ABOUT 3-YEAR LATER THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING (TAILLIGHT OUT INTERMITTENTLY, SOCKET MELTED, AND SENSE STARTING TO MELT.)

PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT INOP AFTER ONLY 67,000 MILES. *TR

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VALVE STEMS THAT CONTAINED THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) SENSORS BECAME CORRODED AND FELL APART. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WENT TO FILL TIRES WITH AIR BECAUSE THEY APPEARED TO HAVE LOW AIR PRESSURE. EACH TIME, AS SOON AS I APPLIED SLIGHT PRESSURE FROM THE AIR HOSE TO THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM DISINTEGRATED AND WAS PUSHED INSIDE THE TIRE. IT TOOK VERY LITTLE PRESSURE TO PUSH THE STEM INSIDE THE TIRE. THE TIRE THEN IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED BECAUSE AIR ESCAPED THROUGH THE OPEN HOLE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STATIONARY (BECAUSE I WAS FILLING THE TIRE WITH AIR). BUT, JUDGING FROM THE FACT THAT ONLY A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO PUSH THE VALVE STEM INTO THE TIRE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED VERY EASILY WHILE IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. I FEEL THAT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT I WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT AT ANY POINT AND, AFTER TELLING THE COMPANY ABOUT IT, I FEEL THAT MY CONCERNS WERE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. *JS

THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER TAKING THE CARE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND THE SENSOR MUST HAVE GOTTEN WET, POSSIBLY FROM CONDENSATION. BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO PLACE AN AIRBAG SENSOR, UNDER A CUPHOLDER, THAT CAN BE SO EASILY DAMAGED BY DRINK CONDENSATION. *TR

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. SPECIFIC INCIDENTS: 1. WARNING LIGHT FLASHES OR LIGHTS WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS WITHIN THE SPECIFICATION LIMITS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. 2. ONE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FELL APART ON INSPECTION, AFTER WARNING OF A LEAK. DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. 3. ONE OF THE TIRE VALVES (AND HENCE PRESSURE SENSOR) WAS LEAKING AIR WHEN THE VALVE CAP WAS REMOVED, REPLACING THE VALVE CAP HELD THE AIR IN THE TIRE. DEALER ADJUSTED THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AT NO CHARGE. 4. ONE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED. DEALER STATED IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME FOR REPLACEMENT. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD. SENSORS SEEMED TO BE MORE IRREGULAR AFTER DRIVING ON ROUGH HIGHWAY ROADS, WHERE A LAYER OF ASPHALT HAD BEEN REMOVED. *TR

LIKE OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE REAR TIRE CAMBER. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION AFTER THE 2ND SET OF TIRES. I DIDN'T THINK THAT MUCH OF IT DURING THE FIRST SET OF TIRES AS THE TIRES LASTED FOR APPRX 50K MILES. BUT THE 2ND SET STARTED TO VIBRATE AND RUMBLE LOUDLY AFTER ABOUT 12K MILES. I HAD THEM ALIGNED AND ROTATED BUT THE NOISE AND WEAR BECAME WORSE. I PURCHASED A 3RD SET AND AGAIN HAD THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THE SET LASTED FOR ABOUT 30K MILES. BUT I MUST STATE THAT THE VIBRATION AND NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE, AT THIS POINT. I FINALLY FOUND A MECHANIC THAT UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM. THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE FIXED (DID NOT HAVE AN ADJUSTMENT). THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS (WITH AN ADJUSTABLE SET). THE CAR NOW RIDES SMOOTH AND QUIET. MY QUESTION AND COMPLAINT...MAZDA MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OTHERWISE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL, NONADJUSTABLE. SO WHY, DIDN'T MAZDA OFFER ASSISTANCE? THE REPAIR COST ME OVER $625, NOT INCLUDING THE PREMATURELY WORN TIRES. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. NOW I QUESTION MAZDA'S INTEGRITY AND MAY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *TR

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE OF AN EXPRESS ROAD. WHILE DRIVING, THE TPMS SENSOR WARNING LIGHT/SOUND CAME ON AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLATE - TOTAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TPMS SENSOR HAD FALLEN OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT (IT IS ATTACHED TO THE VALVE STEM) THE TREADS WERE CORRODED AND THE NUT CRACKED CAUSING THE SENSOR FALL OUT AND THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS ONE WAS REPLACED. 8 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE NUT CRACKED AND THE SENSOR FELL OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THANKFULLY THIS TIME IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER I HAD PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR A BATHROOM BREAK AND WAS NOT DRIVING AT SPEED WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED - ALTHOUGH IF IT HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES PRIOR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON EXAMINATION WE FOUND THAT THE THREAD WERE AGAIN CORRODED, CAUSING THE NUT TO CRACK AND THE SENSOR TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION - CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY MAZDA. *TR

REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY BULBS AND DEVELOPED MELTED HOLES ON THE REAR LENSES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER CROSS MEMBER WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR THE IN-TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM'S RIM ATTACHING NUT CORRODED OFF OF THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE. TIRE PRESSURE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TO STOP AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VALVE STEM FELL INTO THE TIRE ONCE PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. ALL 4 TIRES ALL CORRODED EVENLY AND NEED TO HAVE THE STEMS AND NUTS REPLACED. I'VE OPTED FOR A RUBBER VALVE STEM WHILST SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD THE 3 OTHER TIRES FIXED. REPLACEMENT NON-ALUMINUM TPMS ARE 35-50 A PIECE + INSTALLATION. 1. CHEAP NUTS THAT CRACK AND FALL OFF TIRE STEMS. 2. ALUMINUM STEMS THAT CORRODE COMPLETELY REMOVING THE THREADS. 3. HIGH SPEED CRASH HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND NECK AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE ACCELERATION ALSO OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

LARGE BUBBLE FORMED ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TWO TIRES. TIRES HAVE APPROX. 20,000 MILES ON THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE TIRE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,750 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,795.

WHILE DRIVING APPROX 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY MY BRAKES FAILED (FELT LIKE THEY LOCKED UP, AS THEY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PUSH PEDAL). I HAD TO SHIFT SUDDENLY IN TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REDUCE MY SPEED AND PULL SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER. THIS SAME INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED ON 8/10/2012. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 GRAND TOURING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT. THE DRIVER THEN REPLACED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,109.

APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I GOT A FLAT TIRE DRIVING ON 1-290 IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ISSUE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE TIRE SENSOR VALVE HAD GONE INTO THE TIRE. I REPLACED SAID TIRE, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE THE ISSUE THREE MORE TIMES ON ALL FOUR TIRES TOTAL. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME WERE TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS APRIL 2013 AND THE FOURTH ONE TODAY 12/17/13. THE SENSORS SEEMED TO BE ROTTING OUT AND THE STEM ENDS UP CORRODING. I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 1,000 IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF FIXING THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY INFURIATING TO SAY THE LEAST. IT SEEMS THAT LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH MANY HAVE HAD, YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEED. UPON SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING THE CAR PULLED HEAVILY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT A LARGE TREE ON THIS VERY NARROW ROAD. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE TOP MOTOR MOUNT DEFECTIVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE MAD ABOUT THIS THEY REPLACE IT GOES BAD 1 TO 2 LATER. *TR

I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT. AS THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE THE STEERING FELT SLUGGISH LIKE THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONDITION LASTED A FEW SECONDS THEN CLEARED UP. THAT HAPPENED TWICE MORE AS I WAS BACKING OUT. WHENEVER THE STEERING BECAME SLUGGISH SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON (LOW TIRE, ABS, BRAKE, OIL, ETC). THEY TURNED OFF WHENEVER THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONDITION SEEMED TO CLEAR ITSELF SO I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT A FEW HUNDRED FEET. THE SLUGGISH STEERING AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN AGAIN. I STOPPED THE CAR, LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING AND CHECKED THE TIRES, POWER STEERING BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL. ALL WERE OK. AT THIS POINT I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVED THE KEY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLES OSCILLATED WILDLY FROM END TO END FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ON. AFTER WAITING FOR THE INSTRUMENTATION TO SETTLE TO THE NORMAL OFF STATE, I INSERTED THE KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER WHATEVER, LIKE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REMOVED. I REMOVED THE KEY WAITED 15 SECONDS AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THAT TIME THE CAR STARTED AS EXPECTED. I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THERE WAS NO RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES SINCE THEN WITH NO RECURRENCE OF THE STEERING ISSUE OR FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS.

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.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. I HAD ASSUMED THAT IS WAS JUST SOME KIND OF ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE FOR A BIT UNTIL I NOTICED THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF A FLAT TIRE. THE WAS ODD SINCE I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEN AND THE WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE RAPID DEFLATION. WHEN I PULLED OVER THE TIRE VALVE AND WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE TIRE PLACE HE PULLED THE TIRE OFF TO TRY TO FIND THE SENSOR TO NO AVAIL. HE SAID IN HIS 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ON CLOSER INSPECTION WE NOTICED A CRACK IN ANOTHER ONE OF THE VALVE STEMS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND NOT DUE TO COMPONENT MANUFACTURING, BUT IT SEEMS ODD THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO MULTIPLE VALVES LIKES THAT. AS AN ADDENDUM, THE ONLY OTHER TIME I HAVE TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS WHEN I RANDOM GOT A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN I TRIED TO REFILL THE TIRE THE VALVE PUSHED IN. I TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY PROMPTLY REPLACED THE VALVE AND SENSOR WITHOUT CHARGE. I AM GLAD I HAD NEW TIRES WITH RUN FLAT TECHNOLOGY. IT THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH THE OLD TIRES I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MUCH WORSE THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN. *TR

TPMS LIGHT ALERTED LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION. FOUND TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE. DURING INSPECTION OF TIRE, A SMALL AIR LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AT THE VALVE STEM MID SECTION OF THREADS DUE TO CORROSION. THE TPMS SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTERWARDS, THE SAME EXACT FAILURE RE-OCCURRED IN ANOTHER TPMS SENSOR. THE ALUMINUM ALLOY VALVE STEMS ON THESE SENSORS ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION DAMAGE AND NEED TO BE RE-CALLED. THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE SENSORS, ESPECIALLY WHERE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THESE ARE DRIVEN WHERE ROAD "SALTING" IS ROUTINE. THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION CAUSED BY THESE FAULTY STEMS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH. *TR

TPMS FAILURE. THE LIGHT CONSTANTLY KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. ONE OF MY TIRES WAS VERY LOW OVERNIGHT. I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET AIR, AND THE VALVE WAS MISSING. COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME MAKE AND YEAR. 2008 MAZDA 3. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

TIRE SENSOR CAME ON DURING DRIVE INTO WORK. MADE TO CALL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY LUNCH TIME THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THE STEM OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF. WHEN I GOT THE CAR TO A DEALER THEY STATE 3 OF THE 4 MONITORS HAD CORRODED TO THE POINT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS ADDED NEARLY $400 DOLLARS TO GETTING THE TIRES ON THE CAR REPLACED. HOW IS IT A TIRE SENSOR CAN'T LAST AS LONG AS THE TIRES ON A BRAND NEW CAR? IF A TIRE SENSOR IS ADDED TO A CAR TO MAKE IT SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT MAYBE IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS AND NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO BECOME UNSAFE. *TR

TIRE VALVE SPLIT AND ENTERED TIRE WELL CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE VALVE 115.00 $ BUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE THE LITTLE WAYS THAT I DROVE ON IT TO PULL OVER SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE!!! THIS IS NOW THE SECOND VALVE THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED, LUCKILY THE FIRST WAS DISCOVERED BY THE MECHANIC WHILE REPLACING MY TIRES. THE OTHER TWO SEEM TO BE ON THERE WAY OUT AS WELL. *TR

2008 MAZDA 3 4-DOOR - TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR VALVE IS CORRODED AND SPLIT. A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WILL CHECK IF WARRANTY COVERS REPLACEMENT TPM, BUT FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, PROBABLY NOT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY NOW. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON BECAUSE IT APPEARS AIR IS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. MAZDA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE POOR QUALITY TPM'S. *TR

ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED. NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE CABIN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. THERE WAS NO NOTICED VIBRATION WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS IN DRIVE, WITH THE HOOD POPPED, THE ENGINE WAS NOTICEABLY PITCHING FORWARD AND RETURNING TO IT'S DEFAULT POSITION WHEN THE GAS WAS RELEASED. I CHECKED RECALLS AND THERE WERE NONE SHOWN, BUT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. LOCAL MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN. *TR

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN LEFT LANE ON INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY TURNED INTO CONCRETE DIVIDER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST AND AS A RESULT, CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM), WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE TECHNICIAN AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL DUE TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE GROUND HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 01/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A WIRE WAS FOUND NOT PROPERLY SECURED. UPDATED 01/19/12

AT 71,XXX MILES 2 OUT OF 4 THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR VALVE STEMS HAVE FAILED. THE VALVE STEM CAPS WERE OEM GRAY PLASTIC CAPS. ALL PARTS OF THIS SYSTEM ON THIS CAR ARE OEM. THE VALVE STEMS CORRODE BELOW WHERE THE SCHRADER VALVE SEAL SO THE TIRES GOES FLAT IN JUST A FEW SECONDS.

TIRE VALVE STEM CORROSION ON 2008 MAZDA 3. ON 5/27/2011 TPMS INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT AIR INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE THAT WAS FLAT AND THE STEM VALVE WENT INTO THE TIRE. AFTER SEEING THAT, I CHECKED THE REMAINING VALVES AND ALL ARE CORRODED. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE VALVE IS ABOUT TO GO INTO THE TIRE AND THE BACK TIRES VALVES ARE CRACKED. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR PUT ON A FLAT BED BECAUSE MY HALF SPARE IS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND NOT HAVING ANOTHER SPARE TIRE, THIS CAR IS NOW A DEATH TRAP AND IS VERY UNSAFE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MY OTHER TIRES COULD GO FLAT AT ANYTIME NOW WHICH MAKES IT A HAZARD TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. *TR

WIPER MOTOR FAILURE, 2008 MAZDA 3 GRAND TOURING. WIPERS WORKING FINE AND IN A HEAVY STORM THEY DECIDED TO QUIT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PART AND CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS AN RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MAZDA. THIS NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSES THEIR LIFE OVER SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CORRECTED. *TR

2008 MAZDA 3 S GRAND TOURING - FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED DURING A RAINSTORM. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND ALL LOOKED GOOD. AFTER SPENDING MUCH TIME ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE OFF TRACK, WHEN ROLLED DOWN I CAN MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH BY PUSHING IT. WHEN YOU ROLL IT UP YOU HAVE TO FIRST PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE OR IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW GETS STUCK AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T ROLL DOWN. ON MAZDA FORUMS MANY, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHEN SOMEONE RAN THEM OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND GO INTO THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

I OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3 AND LIKE OTHERS, I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WIPERS NOT WORKING WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD!! DURING A SNOW STORM AFTER TRAVELING SOME DISTANCE, THE WIPERS DECIDED NOT TO WORK. THEY JUST STOPPED. THEY WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING, SO I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE TO PICK ME UP AN HOUR AWAY. HAD IT CHECKED AT MAZDA AND OF COURSE THEY WORKED THAT DAY. THEY HAVE SINCE STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN, AGAIN ON A LONGER TRIP AND DURING A THUNDERSTORM. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THIS 5 LANE HIGHWAY BEFORE GETTING KILLED!! I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING DURING THE RAIN. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I HAVE YET TO CALL MAZDA I AM UNDER WARRANTY AND HOPEFULLY THEN THIS WILL BE COVERED AND THEY WON'T HAVE SOME EXCUSE WHY IT ISN'T COVERED! *TR

ON 4/19/2011 I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY TPMS WENT OFF. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE. AS I PUT THE AIR PUMP TO THE VALVE, THE VALVE SIMPLY DISAPPEARED AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. I CALLED AAA AND TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID THE TIRE WAS PERFECTLY FINE AND REPLACED IT (WITHOUT THE TPMS). I EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TPMS, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 4/25/2011, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TPMS WENT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME ANOTHER TIRE HAD GONE COMPLETELY FLAT. WHEN AAA ARRIVED, THE SERVICEMAN FOUND THE BROKEN PARTS OF THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM (AND THE TPMS) IN THE WHEEL. WITHOUT THIS PIECE, THE VALVE WAS ABLE TO SLIP INTO THE WHEEL (WHICH IS WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME ON 4/19). THE PIECES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND HAD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TPMS (WHICH WAS NOT, AGAIN, COVERED UNDER WARRANTY). ONLY AFTER I INSISTED DID THEY REPLACE THE REMAINING TWO VALVE STEMS WHICH ALSO HAD CLEAR SIGNS OF CRACKING. THIS WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE AS THE TWO METALS OF THE VALVE STEM AND THE PIECE HOLDING IT ON BEGIN TO CORRODE. UPDATED IVOQ 06/28/11 *TR

ON APRIL 8TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. AS SOON AS THE FILLING HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM FELL OUT INTO THE TIRE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. AFTER BRINGING THE TIRE TO GET REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TPMS SENSOR WAS NO GOOD BECAUSE THE VALVE STEM IS CORRODED. IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT THE 3 OTHER WHEELS HAVE CORRODED VALVE STEMS AND THE NUTS THAT HOLD THEM IN PLACE ARE ALL CRACKED AND THAT IF THESE NUTS CRACK OFF THE VALVE STEM CAN FALL OFF RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ALUMINUM CAP CORRODING TO THE VALVE STEM FROM ROAD SALT. THE DEALER SAID "IT JUST HAPPENS" AND THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE SENSORS ARE MADE BY SIEMENS VDO. I AM JUST GLAD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS! NISSAN HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT TURNED INTO A RECALL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA3 FROM WORK IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A SERIOUS SITUATION SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WAS OBSTRUCTED BY RAIN. THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT ALONG THE ROADWAY UNTIL HOURS LATER WHEN IT STOPPED RAINING. IT WAS DETERMINED BY MECHANICS THAT IT WAS THE WIPER MOTOR AND IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED.. *TR

EACH OF MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT 3 TIMES WITHIN 25,000 MILES AND 1 1/2 YEARS OF DRIVING IT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 ON I-75 ON 3/22/2011 WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I CONTINUED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY, STRUCK A ROAD SIGN, AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THIS ALL OCCURRED 12 DAYS AFTER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE RECALLED POWER STEERING PUMP. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN ONLY 12 DAYS AFTER THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND PUMP LINE WERE REPLACED. I WONDER IF THE PUMP HAD INDEED BEEN REPLACED OR IF A NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. OR MAYBE THE NEW PUMP IS JUST AS DEFECTIVE AS THE OLD PUMP!!! IT WILL COST $8,000-$10,000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $1,000 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. THE ONLY GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE SIDE IMPACT AND HEAD AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THAT I WAS NOT INJURED BADLY. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HOW THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS RECALL. I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS AND THERE IS NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. *TR