2009 Mazda Mazda3 Complaint Log

I HAVE HAD THREE OEM VALVE STEMS ROT OUT AND COMPLETELY FALL INTO THE TIRE CAUSING A RAPID DEFLATION AND RISK OF CONTROL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST VALVE STEM ROTTED OUT IN 2012 AND WAS REPLACED. I ASSUMED IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT (STUFF HAPPENS). IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS THE SECOND AND 3RD VALVE STEM ROTTED OUT AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY BELLETIRE (2ND IN JULY, 3RD TODAY). LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON SIDE ROADS WHEN THESE OCCURRED. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I LOOKED UP AND SAW THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2009 MAZDA 3 SO I CALLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD CORROSION IS NEVER COVERED IN WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT ABOUT CORROSION, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HOT DAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY, AND THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I THE PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN - THIS TIME WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPEATED THIS PROCESS. AS OF NOW, I'VE BEEN HAVING TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR

POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HOT DAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY, AND THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I THE PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN - THIS TIME WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPEATED THIS PROCESS. AS OF NOW, I'VE BEEN HAVING TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CRASH CAUSED HEAD INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS ON FILE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

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. *TR

I SUBMITTED A REIMBURSEMENT APPLICATION FORM FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY WIPER MOTOR $438.07. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED ON JANUARY 4, I SENT IN THE REIMBURSEMENT APPLICATION ON JANUARY 5, AND WAS DENIED ON JANUARY 10. I RESUBMITTED IT TWO MORE TIMES, BECAUSE I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PRICE OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WIPER MOTOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE RECALL ON THE GROUND HARNESS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE WIPER MOTOR FAILING OVER TIME. I NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, AND THEREFORE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO FIX THE HARNESS BEFORE IT CAUSED THE WIPER MOTOR TO STOP WORKING. I HAVE PLACED NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, BUT EACH TIME I AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE AND GET BACK WITH ME. NO ONE EVER CALLS BACK. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SPIDERS WERE ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MAZDA RECALLED THE 2009 MAZDA6 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V134000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY) WHICH STATED THAT A CERTAIN TYPE OF SPIDER COULD WEAVE A WEB INSIDE THE FUEL CANISTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME SPIDER WAS IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE 2009 MAZDA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

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. ANY PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE TIRE TO SUDDENLY DEFLATE AT HIGH SPEED IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. I REPLACED ALL MY SENSORS AT A COST OF AROUND $450, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $180 FOR A NEW TIRE. *TR

2009 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER STATES THE GLOVE BOX BEGAN TO RATTLE NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE ENTIRE GLOVE BOX ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE PROBLEM RESURFACED FIVE MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT MAZDA WOULD NOT AGREE TO REPLACE THE GLOVE BOX AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GLOVE BOX IS NOW DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND IT OPENS AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. *JB

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE TPMS WARNING CAME ON. ON INSPECTION THE TIRE VALVE WAS MISSING, IT LOOKED SHEERED OFF. TOOK THE CAR INTO A TIRE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT CENTER AND HAD A NEW TPMS VALVE INSTALLED. I'VE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE IN MAZDA 3'S, AND LIKELY MANY MAZDA'S. AT THE TIME, I CONTACTED A MAZDA DEALER WHO OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW A VALVE STEM CAN SHEER CLEAN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT, CLEAN HIGHWAY. ALL THEY OFFERED WAS A REPLACEMENT PART, NOT WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER THE BASIC WARRANTY AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN WE'VE HAD ANOTHER TIRE AIR VALVE SHEER OFF ON A SECOND MAZDA 3 (2009) WE HAVE. WE BOUGHT 2 - 2009 MAZDA 3'S AT THE SAME TIME. THE SECOND MAZDA 3 HAD LOW TIRE PRESSURE. ON INSPECTION, THE VALVE CAP WAS REMOVED AND THE VALVE BROKE OFF. IT BROKE WAS THE CAP WAS BEING REMOVED. THIS IS A VERYDANGEROUS CONDITION AS THESE THINGS CAN SHEER OFF ANY TIME WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, AND YOU HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE'VE NOW EXPERIENCED 2 FAILURES ON 2 CARS, AND ONE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THAT RESULTED IN A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR A YOUNGER LADY OF COLLEGE AGE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. MAZDA NEEDS TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND MANUFACTURE A PROPER VALVE THAT CAN BE USED IN A VERY COMMON USE SCENARIO, NAMELY, DRIVING DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN SALT IS BEING USED FOR SAFETY REASONS. THAT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN EXCUSE AS TO WHY THAT PART FAILS. HERE ARE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEBSITES WHERE YOU CAN SEE THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2009/MAZDA/MAZDA3/TIRES/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2009/MAZDA/MAZDA3/TIRE+PRESSURE+MONITORING+SYSTEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE VALVE STEMS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS HAD CORRODED AND THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED BECAUSE THE CORROSION WAS DUE TO SALT ON THE ROAD THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,110. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/07/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TPMS FAILED AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

2009 MAZDA 3; PURCHASED NEW FOR OUR DAUGHTER - EARLY ON I NOTICED THE TIRES WERE TILTED, LIKE THE CAMBER WAS WAY OFF. BROUGHT IT UP TO DEALER DURING ROUTINE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I WAS GIVEN SOME STORY THIS WAS THEIR ZOOM ZOOM SUSPENSION USED ON RACE CARS. TIRE WEAR (INSIDE) WAS REACHING DANGEROUS LEVEL AT UNDER 15,000 MILES WITH ROTATIONS DONE BY DEALERSHIP. GIVEN EXCUSE THAT HARDER TIRES WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. I REFUSED TO BUY TIRES FROM DEALERSHIP SINCE IT SURE SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF BS. I PURCHASED 4 QUALITY NEW TIRES FROM TIRE DEALER WITH PACKAGE TO ROTATE/REPAIR. I HAVE THEM ROTATED EVERY 4,500 MILES. TOOK CAR IN FOR ROTATION ON MAY 9, 2013. DEALER TOLD BE TIRES WERE WEARING HORRIBLY (AGAIN TO THE INSIDE). I TOLD THEM THE DEALERSHIP EXCUSES, THEY SUGGESTED I GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM. I COMPLAINED AND WENT ON SATURDAY FOR THEM TO CHECK ALIGNMENT AT THEIR EXPENSE. EVERYTHING WITHIN MAZDA TOLERANCE (SURPRISE). THIS VEHICLE HAS UNDER 40,000 MILES, IS DRIVEN LOCALLY TO SCHOOL AND GROCERY STORE SINCE PURCHASE AND IS LOOKING AT THIRD SET OF TIRES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW WHERE SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WITH TIRES REACHING DANGEROUS LEVELS WELL BEFORE THEY SHOULD. IF PEOPLE DON'T KEEP AN EYE ON THIS SITUATION SOMEONE WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE HURT OR KILLED. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE BEEN CROSS ROTATING TIRES TO TRY AND GET BETTER MILEAGE OR WEAR OUT OF THEM. I SHOWED OWNERS MANUAL TO SERVICE MANAGER SINCE THEIR BOOK THAT CAME WITH CAR INDICATES STANDARD DIRECTIONAL ROTATION. SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT IS MAKING EXCUSES SO THE COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

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. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZADA SPEED3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS PUSHED INSIDE OF THE TIRE. A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VALVE STEMS ON ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CORRODING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

I HAVE HAD MY 2009 MAZDA 3 SINCE OCT. OF 2009 AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE SENSORS. THE TIRE SENSORS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND METAL AND THEY KEEP BREAKING. EVERYTIME I TURN AROUND MY TIRE SENSORS ARE FALLING APART OR BREAKING OFF, LEAVING ME WITH FLAT TIRES! WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE DEFLATES AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. REFER TO ODI ID # 10357809 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FOR I HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YRS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,497.

PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CATASTROPHIC CLUTCH FAILURE FROM THE CLUTCH PLATE ITSELF ON 2009 MAZDA3 WITH ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM DEALERSHIP. CLUTCH FAILURE RESULTED IN AN INCIDENT OF LOSS OF CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE IN 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC DUE TO LOSS OF POWER THROUGH THE DRIVELINE. *TR

MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 2009. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON FIRST TIME AROUND 15000 MILES. AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I GOT MAIL FROM MAZDA3 SAID THIS CAR NEED A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING ISSUE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO DEALER AROUND 36000 MILES AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING IS GOOD. HOWEVER, STARTED FROM THIS JUN, THE CAR BECAME MUCH WORST. IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF DURING DRIVING AND THE SITUATION HAPPENED OFTEN. I EVEN VIDEO RECORD THE INCIDENT FOR THE DEALER. I RETURNED MY CAR TO DEALER ONCE EVERY MONTH FROM JUN, THIS IS THE 3RD TIME. I GUESS THE DEALER DON'T KNOW HERE IS THE PROBLEM IS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. HAPPENED TO MY ONCE IN THE EXIT OF HIGHWAY, ONCE WHEN I TURN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. NOTE: BEFORE IT SHUT OFF, EVERY INDICATOR LIGHT WILL TURN ON.

ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA 3 WHEN I HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE I NOTICED THE TIRE VALVE HAD SHEARED CLEAN OFF THE TIRE. TODAY (2/13/11) I FILLED MY TIRES WITH AIR AND A SECOND TIRE VALVE SHEARED OFF IN THE PROCESS CAUSING THE TIRE TO RAPIDLY DEFLATE. I'VE NOW HAD TWO TIRE STEMS ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR SNAP OFF (ONCE WHILE IN MOTION, ONCE WHILE FILLING IT WITH AIR) IN LESS THEN 6 MONTHS? I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE! I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS IF THIS VALVE FAILURE OCCURRED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE!!!! *TR

STEM VALUE BROKE OFF WHEN I PUT THE AIR CAP AFTER THE TIRE WAS REFILLED WITH AIR. *TR

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. *LN

MAZDA3 2009: PARKING BRAKE OFTEN INADEQUATE BY ITSELF TO KEEP CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS ON SLIGHT INCLINE. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITH MY CAR AND ONCE MORE WITH A RELATIVE WHO OWNS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF THIS CAR. *TR

HAD MY MAZDA 3 OIL CHANGED TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT IT NEEDED NEW TIRES - AT JUST UNDER 15,600 MILES. I HAD THESE TIRES ROTATED AT JUST UNDER 6,000 MILES AND JUST UNDER 12,000 MILES. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT SET AT THE FACTORY, THAT CAUSES THE REAR TIRES TO "TILT IN AT THE TOP" TO IMPROVE HANDLING. I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR (4) NEW TIRES AND PAYING AN EXTRA CHARGE TO GET THE ALIGNMENT SET CORRECTLY. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA PRODUCT. IF THIS DEFECT AT NOT BEEN FOUND TODAY, THE WAY THE REAR TIRES LOOKED, I POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT OVER THE NEXT 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES. *TR

I BOUGHT 2009 MAZDA 3 AND HAS 18,700 MILES ON IT AS OF TODAY NOV 2010. I NOTICED TPMS SIGN COME ON YESTERDAY AND GOES OFF AND COMES BACK ON WITHOUT ANY BEEPING SOUNDS. TIRE AIR PRESSURE IS SHOWING ACCEPTABLE LEVELS AND AT 18K MILES I DON'T EXPECT TO CHANGE TIRES FOR SURE. NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON. MAZDA MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 03/03/11

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

I HAVE A 2009 MAZDA 3 WITH 9200 MILES. THEIR HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING THE GAS CAP IS NOT SECURE. TODAY, 8/11/2010 THE GAS CAP WAS STUCK AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET REMOVED AND INSTALL A NEW GAS CAP. THE SERVICE MAN, JIM COLTREP SAID THAT HE HAS HEARD ABOUT GAS CAPS SEIZING. MY DAUGHTER IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER SHE DOESN'T NEED THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER CAN'T GUARANTEE ME THAT I WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I SEE ON THE WEB A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MAZDA 3 GAS CAP PROBLEM. WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE CORRECTED ON A NEAR PERMANENT BASIS? *TR

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CAR...AFTER AROUND 4, 000 MILES I NEEDED NEW TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. WITH EVERY NEW REPLACEMENT I'VE GOTTEN, THEY DEFINITELY HAVE WORN BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE WORN OUT...TIRE PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE WEARING UNEVENLY AND THEY SEE THIS WITH MAZDAS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, PROCEEDED INTO THE LEFT LANE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SWAYED FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ENGAGING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN STEERING CONTROL AND CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TWO FRONT WHEEL BALL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE NOISE STOPPED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE AT LOW SPEEDS TO AVOID THE UNINTENDED SWAYING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,681.

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!

LOST CONTROL OF 2009 MAZDA 3 ON WET ROAD. IT FELT LIKE DSC WOULD NOT LET ME CONTROL THE CAR. *TR

ON A FEW SEPARATE OCCASIONS (APPROXIMATELY THREE) DURING ESPECIALLY HOT WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA 3. ONE ESPECIALLY CONCERNING INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I HAVE PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND TURNED IT BACK ON, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR THE MOST PART. HOWEVER, ON ONE OCCASION, WHICH OCCURRED IN 100+ DEGREE WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN AND THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING STRUCTURE TO COOL DOWN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AND ULTIMATELY CORRECTED. *TR

(2009 MAZDA 3I TOURING VALUE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 94 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDESTREET, GOING NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARDER TO TURN & THEN I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP WITH THE POWER STEERING ICON. *TR

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, LOSS OF STEERING POWER OCCURRED WHEN TURNING QUICKLY IN THE EACH/OPPOSITE DIRECTION. LOSS OF POWER INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALCY. MAZDA DEALERSHIP (DENNIS DILLON, BOISE, ID) WAS CALLED THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY WANTED TO IMMEDIATELY LOOK AT THE CAR. THE TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS MAY BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. PARTS WERE ORDERED (STEERING HOSES, ASSEMBLY, ETC.), AND SERVICE COMPLETED WITHIN 3 DAYS. *TR

WHEN SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN MY 2009 MAZDA3 4-DOOR SEDAN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED WORKING. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT). I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH MUCH EFFORT TO MAKE TURNS. PARKED CAR IN GARAGE. 5 MINUTES LATER RETURNED TO CHECK IT AGAIN. STARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING WAS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. *TR

MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GR TOURING HAS TWICE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. FIRST: WHEN IDLING ON VERY HOT DAY. RESTARTING THE CAR RESTORED POWER. SECOND, WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC JAM ON PA TURNPIKE. RESTARTING DID NOT RESTORE POWER. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I'M A HEALTHY MAN AND I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO THE SERVICE PLAZA. AFTER SITTING, POWER ASSIST CAME BACK. I'M NOT AN OPTIMIST ABOUT GETTING DEALERS TO FIX INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. I NEVER TOOK THE CAR IN. IN MY OPINION, THE CAR IS ONLY CAPABLE OF MILD AND MINIMAL STEERING DURING THIS FAILURE. MAZDA'S STATEMENT THAT IT POSES NO SAFETY PROBLEM IS WRONG. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THIS CAR QUICKLY UNDER THIS FAILURE. *TR

POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GT SPORT IN 2 INCIDENTS - JULY 14, 2010 AND AUGUST 11, 2010. IN BOTH CASES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR. ONCE I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER LIT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATIONAL AGAIN. *TR

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN MY 2009 MAZDA 3, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP SEVERELY AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO RESTORE THE POWER STEERING. A MILE UP THE ROAD, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. *TR

GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, CAR GOT UP TO 80 MILES AN HOUR. UNABLE TO STOP CAR, FINALLY SLAMMED ON THE GAS PEDAL THREE TIMES AND IT DISLODGED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TEMPERATURE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED WAS OVER A 100 DEGREES. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED STATING THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THAT HE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

JUST COMPLETED A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES. UPON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ITS POWER STEERING. VERY HARD STEERING WHEN TRYING TO FINISH PARKING THE VEHICLE. WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR, STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN OPERATIONAL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY POLE, SECONDS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 22500.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NAVIGATING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH POWER STEERING FAILED AND DASH LIGHT CAME ON. WAS UNABLE TO TURN VEHICLE IN TIME AND HIT A CURB, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE RIM AND TIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENTLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, FOLLOWED BY THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.

1. I WAS STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM IN MAY 31ST AND WHEN I HAD TO TURN AFTER A WHILE, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. 2. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT FAILED UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. IT HAS WORKED FINE SINCE THEN. 3. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. THE CAR IS A 2009 MAZDA 3, 4-DOOR, TR VE. *TR

MY 2009 MAZDA3 5-DOOR HAS A LOOSE NUT WHICH CONNECTS THE RIGHT REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR TO THE SUSPENSION. BASED ON AN ONLINE MAZDA FORUM, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. THERE IS NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL, AND MAZDA REFUSES TO EVEN COVER THIS UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA3 AS NORMAL. I WENT TO TURN AT A LIGHT AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO BARELY COMPENSATE BUT ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING DIDN'T REACT AS I EXPECTED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS RESET. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN CRACKS IN THE TUBING ALLOWING MOISTURE INTO THE SYSTEM THAT SHORTS OUT THE PUMP AND CAUSES THE FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN IF NOT CORRECTED. THEY REPLACED THE TUBES AND THE PUMP AT NO COST TO ME BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL OR AT LEAST BEEN REPORTED AS A POSSIBILITY TO OWNERS. THIS IS HIGHLY UNSAFE AND IF IT HAPPENED AT THE WRONG TIME SUCH AS ON AN EXPRESSWAY COULD HAVE LED TO A SEVERE CRASH. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE CAR/STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AND PULSATE. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A WARPED DISC CAUSED BY THE WAY THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND ONLY AN ANNOYANCE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 12K MILES AND IS 14 MONTHS OLD. *TR

MY MAZDA 3 SEDAN LOST ITS POWER STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND DEBRIS IN THE STEERING FLUID. THEY REPLACED THE FLUID, THE FLUID LINES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO THE COST OF $1,400 COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. MY CAR IS APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS OLD - PURCHASED JANUARY 31, 2009. *TR