Model year record

2009 Mazda Mazda3 recalls & problems

The 2009 Mazda Mazda3 has 4 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (36 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints115filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Mazda Mazda3 in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

VisibilityJun 15, 2011

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 11V329000103,300 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SteeringAug 12, 2010

Electric power assist system

Recall 10V374000215,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Electronic stability control (esc)May 29, 2009

Electronic stability control (esc)

Recall 09V1870007,100 vehicles

Problem: MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,100 MY 2009 MAZDA3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM". THE YAW RATE MEASURED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SINE WITH DWELL STEERING INPUT EXCEEDED THE TEST STANDARDS.
Risk: IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

EquipmentApr 2, 2009

Equipment

Recall 09E0110002,323 vehicles

Problem: THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Mazda3 5-DR. Hatchback w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2009 Mazda3 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2009 Mazda Mazda3 NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SteeringElectric power assist system	36	3	0	0	33,459 mi
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems; Valve	26	0	0	0	37,125 mi
Wheels	19	0	0	0	55,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	6	1	0	0	19,000 mi
Air bagsSide/window	5	4	0	4	29,700 mi
Electrical system	5	0	0	0	60,000 mi
Exterior lighting	5	0	1	0	45,000 mi
SuspensionRear	4	0	0	0	20,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	4	0	0	0	10,825 mi
StructureBody	4	1	0	0	—
Unknown or other	4	0	0	0	51,291 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	1	0	0	10,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
Brake pedal sinks to the ground d after abs is turned on due to hard braking or after hitting a dip
Feb 4, 2025
Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that previously there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle and in the trunk. In addition, the contact stated that the odor was very strong, causing her to become light-headed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,212.
Dec 21, 2024 · 102,212 miles
Steering
When driving and trying to negotiate a turn, or sometimes when going straight, the power assist steering simply fails (stops assisting the steering). I have to "muscle" the car off the roadway and either restart the engine or stop the car (off the road) straighten the steering wheel, restart the car, and the power assist is restored. This has happened five times in the last 9 months. So far there have been no accidents. The date velow is the most recent date of this failure.
Mar 15, 2023
Service brakes
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
Apr 27, 2023
Exterior lighting
Brake lights are causing the top of the tail light to melt on the housing.
Mar 24, 2022
Fuel/propulsion system
The fuel pump lock ring on my 2009 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 has failed which is causing two engine codes: P0442 and P0455. In addition there is a strong smell of gasoline fumes around the rear of the car after driving and parking. The fuel pump lock ring is a plastic threaded ring which secures and seals the fuel pump and fuel level sender to the fuel tank. Mazda has released a safety recall 5121I for MY2009-2011 RX-8 and MY2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. Mazda states: "On certain subject RX-8 and Mazdaspeed6 vehicles, improper installation of the fuel pump mounting rings may lead to cracking of the rings, causing fuel leakage. In addition, on certain RX-8 vehicles, the fuel pump mounting rings…
Jun 22, 2021
Service brakes
parking brake not working due to mechanism on rear caliper is rusted solid so it can not activate brake
Oct 5, 2021
Electrical system
THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS I'M SLOWING DOWN, AS YOU WOULD TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A STREET OR DRIVEWAY. I TURN ON MY BLINKER, THEN THE MOMENT I PRESS THE BRAKE, ALL OF THE POWER IN THE CAR DIES, AND COMES RIGHT BACK ON. I THINK OF IT AS A QUICK RESET IT SEEMS. HOWEVER, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M LEFT FINISHING MY TURN WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING IS THE ONLY THING THAT DOES NOT "RESET" WHEN THE POWER FAILS. THE POWER STEERING MAY TAKE 3-6 SECONDS BEFORE IT COMES BACK. AND IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER I'M THROUGH MY TURN. IT TYPICALLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN MY BLINKER, AND BRAKE IS APPLIED, ALMOST LIKE THE POWER OF THOSE LIGHTS SHUTS…
Mar 26, 2021 · 130,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Loss of Electric Power Steering AssistClosedLed to recall 10V374000
The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This…
PE10021 · opened Jun 28, 2010 · closed Nov 29, 2010