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2008 Mazda Mazda3
2 recall campaigns and 287 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3; the recalls concern visibility and steering.
The component named most often is steering: 302.5 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 83.4 per 1,000 across all 2008 model-year vehicles and against 126.7 per 1,000 for the Mazda Mazda3 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 101.2 complaints per model year across the 20 Mazda Mazda3 model years on this register; 28 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2010 (89); the most recent in the file is dated 18 Apr 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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. If this condition exists then over time the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may increase up to a point that the windshield wipers would not work.
Consequence: The loss of wiper function in adverse weather could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.
Filed by MAZDA MOTOR CORP (manufacturer campaign 6411F).
Defect, as filed: Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008. These vehicles may have a condition in which a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur at any time while driving the vehicle.
Consequence: Power steering assist is suddenly lost reducing the driver's ability to steer the vehicle as typically expected, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump and lines free of charge. The safety recall began on september 15, 2010. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.
Filed by MAZDA MOTOR CORP (manufacturer campaign 6010H).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 (black) against all 2008 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2008 | Mazda3 line | All 2008 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 302.5 | 126.7 | 83.4 |
| Tires | 114.4 | 60.2 | 14.3 |
| Wheels | 89.9 | 49.6 | 11 |
| Air Bags | 54.5 | 71.3 | 160.2 |
| Electrical System | 46.3 | 70.5 | 142.9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 46.3 | 44.5 | 40.3 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 111 | 302.5 | 126.7 | 83.4 |
| Tires | 42 | 114.4 | 60.2 | 14.3 |
| Wheels | 33 | 89.9 | 49.6 | 11 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 54.5 | 71.3 | 160.2 |
| Electrical System | 17 | 46.3 | 70.5 | 142.9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 46.3 | 44.5 | 40.3 |
| Visibility | 15 | 40.9 | 15.4 | 17.5 |
| Engine | 15 | 40.9 | 47.8 | 62.5 |
| Suspension | 14 | 38.1 | 25.7 | 30.7 |
| Power Train | 12 | 32.7 | 66.1 | 75.7 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 30 | 37.1 | 41.5 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 27.2 | 32.7 | 26.6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 27.2 | 30.1 | 41.8 |
| Unknown or Other | 9 | 24.5 | 58 | 34.8 |
| Structure | 8 | 21.8 | 83.4 | 47.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 16.3 | 9.2 | 21.8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 16.3 | 22 | 33.2 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 10.9 | 11 | 9.5 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 5.4 | 8.1 | 1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 1.8 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 3.9 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | 2.7 | 36.7 | 11.7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | 2.7 | 15.4 | 30.6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | 2.7 | 15.8 | 18.2 |
287 unique complaints, 367 component mentions; 18 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE10021 | Preliminary evaluation | Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist | steering:electric power assist system | 28 Jun 2010 | 29 Nov 2010 | 10V374000 |
Other Mazda Mazda3 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 139 | 302,915 |
| 2005 | 2 | 93 | 260,917 |
| 2006 | 1 | 152 | 260,915 |
| 2007 | 2 | 192 | 475,915 |
| 2008 | 2 | 287 | 318,300 |
| 2009 | 3 | 105 | 325,400 |
| 2010 | 3 | 551 | 779,714 |
| 2011 | 2 | 90 | 754,314 |
| 2012 | 1 | 150 | 580,455 |
| 2013 | 1 | 83 | 580,455 |
| 2014 | 4 | 66 | 487,098 |
| 2015 | 4 | 64 | 495,809 |
| 2016 | 6 | 28 | 687,538 |
| 2017 | 2 | 13 | 423,980 |
| 2018 | 4 | 10 | 545,162 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 371,630 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 59,427 |
| 2021 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 599 |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 183,987 |
| 2025 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 171,412 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Mazda Mazda3 model years · Mazda: 39 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 11V329000, was reported to NHTSA on 15 Jun 2011 and concerns visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. Across all model years the Mazda Mazda3 line has 29 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 complain about most?
Steering: 111 of 367 component mentions (302.5 per 1,000). Next is tires with 42. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.