CarComplaints.com Notes: Except for a minor issue with cracked motor mounts, the 2008 MAZDA3 is a fantastic vehicle with a great reputation.

If you need to replace the motor mounts, first ask your dealer if they'll cover it -- the motor mounts were dealt with in a TSB & were recalled for some model years. Otherwise buy aftermarket motor mounts -- owners report this solves the problem. If you use the same OEM parts, they may just crack again.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,216 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #108

Aug 052020

MAZDA3

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced loss of power steering assist while driving at various speed and making turn. The power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The parking brake and power steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred five times in two days. The contact mentioned that an unknown recall repair was completed on the vehicle for the power steering, however the repair had not corrected the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a recall repair was completed for the same failure and it was a one-time free fix and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Colorodo Spring, CO, USA

problem #107

Jul 012020

MAZDA3

  • 110,000 miles
Airbag light is on.....lost power steering at only 110,000 miles...ABS break system not working

- Scottsburg, VA, USA

problem #106

Jan 012020

MAZDA3

  • 117,000 miles
While driving my car I completely lost my power steering going about 55 mph, we live in a very rural curvey area. At other times I have been going in reverse or driving and my car would shake and just shut off! this.would happen would turning onto.the road or going down the road. It happened at different speeds. Sometimes the car would instantly start back up or I would have to push the car in a safe area (if possible) and wait. I have a 5 month old and 8 year old son having a reliable car is extreme priority for us, I'm so scared of my car. We do normal maintenance and I took it in to be looked at when it shut off and the mechanic couldnt find anything noticeable. He said I would basically have to just start replacing parts and see which part fixes the problem.

- Seaman, OH, USA

problem #105

Dec 292019

MAZDA3

  • 146,770 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering goes in and out while driving

- Everson, WA, USA

problem #104

Sep 022019

MAZDA3

  • 161,000 miles
Loss of steering, immediately fixed itself but with steering wheel light on dash. Vehicle in motion. Loss of ability to steer vehicle. Vehicle was in motion.

- Mountain Home, ID, USA

problem #103

Dec 202017

MAZDA3

  • miles
While driving the speed goes up and down on its own the automatic transmission of my 2008 Mazda 3 shifts down from the 5th to the 3rd gear. This causes the car to jerk violently and the controls to illuminate including check engine, no traction and at. My mechanic could not find a cause of this, and he serviced the transmission by changing the filter and transmission fluid but the problem persists. One mechanic said it is the speed sensor another the transmissions computer I have spend about 1,800 and I still have the same problems. It is very scary for my kids and myself while driving and I can't afford to get another car. What is the problems with Mazda with my car" can someone please help"! also all the electrical stop working about two years ago, another thing is the steering wheels problems when making a turn it really time forever and it is really slow and heavy.

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #102

Sep 102018

MAZDA3

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. while driving 5 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V374000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

problem #101

Oct 022017

MAZDA3

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start. After a few attempts, the vehicle started, but there was no power steering. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence very slowly. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2010 by star Mazda in glendale, California for the same failure per an unknown recall issued by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired this time and the dealer was not contacted again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Lake Al Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #100

Jul 272017

MAZDA3

  • 39,345 miles
Lost all power while driving and turning. ABS, brake, ps, battery lights on dash illuminated, car looses steering and then the engine dies. Battery discharged as per load test.alternator tests fine. Happened two times after the power steering manufacturer recall was performed to remedy the same issue.

- New Canaan, CT, USA

problem #99

Mar 302017

MAZDA3

  • 68,000 miles
Aeveral recalls for 2008 Mazda3..... however my VIN isnt assosiated with any and I have all the problema. Power steerings unit stripped2 or the 3 bolts holes ans fell down from cracked engine mounts slight rattling..... stationary and moving. Idle is at 500-1,000 rpms very odd feeling. Random body damage and entire of bottom engine rusty.... paint rusts as well. Just bought the car on finance and really need some help

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #98

Jan 122017

MAZDA3

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. while having the vehicle serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 10V374000 (steering), the dealer did not repair the vehicle as written in the recall. The recall stated that dealers would replace the power steering pump and lines free of charge. The dealer reportedly stated that they would replace the power steering reservoir and lines, and that replacing the power steering pump would be at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and discrepancy. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.

- Park City, UT, USA

problem #97

May 092016

MAZDA3

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. while driving various speeds, the steering seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V374000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #96

Jan 252016

MAZDA3

  • 79,352 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to sputter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor was seized into the catalytic converter and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the steering had excessive movement, while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,352.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #95

Oct 252015

MAZDA3

  • 50 miles
Steering wheel locked up on the highway as I was curving to the right. Caused my car to veer off the road and ran along a rail until the I braked the car. I could not turn the steering wheel and that caused the accident. Last year I had the Mazda serviced which they had fixed the recall supposedly. But this is the second time that this happened. I may not be lucky the next time.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #94

Apr 012015

MAZDA3

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Mazda 3. while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle started to veer to the right causing the contact to crash into a fence and the mile marker. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #93

Jul 162015

MAZDA3

  • 145,500 miles
On about July 16, 2015 the power steering failed making it extremely difficulty to steer vehicle. I called Mazda dealer to explain failure and asked if they would repair under recall. They said Mazda would only honor recall repair once. I do not believe Mazda repaired the issue. I would expect them to provide a fix that prevents this failure from reoccurring. Note: On 1/27/2011 I had taken vehicle in after receiving recall notice regarding power steering. Vehicle power steering was repaired by byers Mazda in columbus Ohio and road tested to confirm repairs.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #92

Jun 212015

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V374000 (steering). The dealer diagnosed that the power steering pump and fluid lines failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 09/09/15 the consumer stated the problem was resolved. The manufacturer paid for the parts and the consumer paid for the repair. Updated 12/10/15

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #91

Dec 012009

MAZDA3

  • 50,000 miles
The steering has locked up on multiple occasions rendering the car totally disabled and unable to be controlled. This happens randomly. The power steering pump was changed some months ago but the steering lock up happened again in may of 2014 after that fix. We were told the power steering fix should have taken care of it.

- Fort Smith,, AR, USA

problem #90

Feb 152015

MAZDA3

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. while driving 60 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply excessive force to the steering wheel in order to turn the vehicle. The power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #89

Jun 172014

MAZDA3

  • miles
TL * the contact owns a 2008 Mazda3. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel suddenly seized. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle spun and crashed into a guard rail. The contact was transported to the emergency room by ambulance and was treated for bruising, whiplash, acute neck, back, shoulder, and leg traumas. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 10V374000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

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