Check engine light came on 12/13/14, car wouldn't start 12/14/14, had towed to repair shop 12/15/14 and was told engine was flooded because the car couldn't meter air correctly and over fueled the car. Spark plugs, air filter and throttle body were all gummed up and dirty due to this. Repair shop checked the technical service bulletin relating to the check engine light and found that this is a a known issue. They had to modify a bracket and splice in new wire where it was rubbed through because of this defect. If this is truly a common defect Mazda should issue a recall on it and reimburse owners who have already had to have it fixed.

- Seattle, WA, USA

One two separate occasions over an approximate 3 month period the gas cap could not be unscrewed and remained affixed to the vehicle. I believe that this is a dangerous situation for the potential to be unable to refuel the vehicle and run out of gas while driving or in an unsafe location. Both times I took it to the dealer and they confirmed that they have had "many" Mazda 3 owners bring their cars in with the same problem. A search of the internet confirmed that this is a common problem.

- Burke, VA, USA

After my first gas fuel fill-up the check engine light came on. I checked the fuel cap but was unable to remove the fuel cap. After trying for 15 minutes, it finally came off. After putting the cap back on and driving a while, the light went off. The car only had 500 miles. I took the car back to the dealer. The dealer examined the cap and said there was no problem. We were able to place and remove the cap with no problem. On my next 2 fill-ups the same thing happened. I bought a stand replacement cap and have had no problems after 6,200 miles. I believe the oem cap has a design flaw. The replacement's latching tabs have a different shape and it works.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

I own a 2008 Mazda3 that my daughter was driving when the car started lurching & bucking as she applied pressure on the gas pedal. It finally quit running & she had to leave it on the side of the road. When I arrived I found that the car did the same to me. I called a tow truck & had it towed to the dealership where the car was purchased, thinking it would be a warranty issue. When I was contacted by the dealership I was told that it was not covered under warranty because the car had been over filled with gas, which allowed gas to flow into the purge solenoid & the charcoal canister. I didn't even know this was possible! the dealer told me that these being full of gas was the reason the car would not run properly. I questioned them that this was a design flaw by Mazda & should be addressed! they told me that Mazda would do nothing for me because it was my fault that the tank was over filled with gas. To me if you have gas flowing into components of the car witch aren't intended in holding gas, there is a design problem with the car not to mention a safety hazard if the car is ever in a collision! I fear for the safety of my daughter & do not want her trapped inside of a burning car if these components keep filling up with gas & she is involved in a collision. I called Mazda customer service & they also told me there was nothing they would do for me because the car was overfilled with gas. I was told that this will keep happening as long as I over fill the tank & to not make a complete fill up to keep this from happening. I had to pay for the repairs & I do have the parts that were removed. I hope someone, with you, can help me solve this problem before someone is seriously injured in a collision & a fire erupts from gas being able to flow into places it shouldn't be. Thanks for your help.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Fuel cap on car got stuck and took ten minutes to remove. The same thing happened next time car needed refueling. Again, had to try for around 10 minutes before cap could be removed and we're not even sure what we did to make it come off. This is not acceptable.....there will come a time when the cap breaks or we just can't get it off and will end up stranded with no gas. Obviously a design fault.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

Fghfgh.

- Adsa, LA, USA