Mazda · Mazda3 · 2009
4
Recalls
119
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Mazda Mazda3 has 4 recalls and 119 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: steering (31 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 25, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Brake pedal sinks to the ground d after abs is turned on due to hard braking or after hitting a dip
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.
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.
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.
Brake lights are causing the top of the tail light to melt on the housing.
parking brake not working due to mechanism on rear caliper is rusted solid so it can not activate brake
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 may deteriorate due to heat exposure from the engine and exhaust pipe due to insufficient heat resistance at the top side of the fuel tank. This may also lead to cracking of the rings, causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage may result in increased risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source near the vehicle." The faulty part number for the RX-8 matches that of the Mazdaspeed3. That is Mazda part number: BN8F-42-167 I believe the failure of this part and recall should extend to affected Mazda 3 vehicles, and any other models with the same part. I have opened a case with Mazda Corporate. Case number: 14466166445 I have uploaded a video of the smoke test performed by a local shop indicating the leak is coming from the ring: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6t6KeeaDPLgGzvvaA I have also attached a screenshot of the video, unfortunately the image quality provided by the mechanic is very poor.
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 EVERYTHING OFF. BUT THIS ALL HAPPENS AT RANDOM. I HAVE A PART TIME JOB ON THE WKNDS DELIVERING FOOD. IT STARTED OUT JUST MAYBE HAPPENING ONCE A MONTH, AND THAT WAS 3-4 MONTHS AGO. NOW IT'S EVERYTIME I GO OUT, IT'S LIKELY TO HAPPEN, BUT WHEN, IT'S IMPOSSILBE TO TELL BECAUSE I CAN TRY EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN THAT NORMALLY MIGHT SEEM TO BE THE CAUSE AND THEN NOTHING. I'VE READ A LOT OF FORUMS RECENTLY THAT HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH EITHER EXACT PROBLEMS OR VERY SIMILAR. I DON'T LIVE IN A BIG CITY BUT FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE DRIVING THIS CAR IN A BIG CITY THATS BUSY, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND NOT ONLY THAT PEOPLE ARE GONNA END UP GETTING IN SMALL WRECKS FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I'M UNABLE TO WORK MY WKND JOB WITH THIS ISSUE SO IT'S COSTING ME 3 DAYS OF WORK UNTIL I GET IT FIXED. THANK YOU.
WHILE DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD (40 MPH) MARCH 2020, MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 MAZDA 3 LOST POWER STEERING, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON HER DASHBOARD. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED US FOR HELP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND OFF THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THREE WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS CASES ON MANY WEBSITES WHERE THIS IS OCCURRING. THIS SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL WE FOUND ONLINE, BUT IT IS ACTING LIKE IT HAS THE EXACT PROBLEM . THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING! I HAVE READ ONLINE MANY MORE DRIVERS WHO HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM, AND THEIR CAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL AS WELL.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF. SEEMS TO DEPEND ON THE WEATHER, IE, RAIN AND HIGH HUMIDITY
THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE ELECTRICITY FOR THE CAR CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
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, WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREETS OR IN THE HIGHWAY, IT HAPPENED TODAY AND DURING THE LAST WEEK A FEW TIMES
ELECTRIC DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE FAILED THREE (3) TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. WHILE IN MOTION.
WHILE INFLATING A TIRE FOR ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS, THE VALVE STEM BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE.
RED TAIL LIGHT LENS MELTED SO WHEN YOU TURN ON THE LIGHTS, THE TAIL LIGHTS LOOK WHITE INSTEAD OF RED. DID THIS TO BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE TAIL LIGHTS USING ORIGINAL BULBS. I PURCHASED TWO NEW TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND INSTALLED THEM MYSELF. AFTER THREE MONTHS THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT AGAIN MELTED SO IT NOW LOOKS WHITE.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 OF THE SENSORS BECAUSE OF BROKEN RETAINING NUTS OR CORRODED STEMS. 3 OF THE SENSORS FAILED DURING DRIVING, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, CAUSING ME TO ALSO REPLACE 3 OF MY TIRES. ANOTHER FAILED AS I WAS CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE, FALLING INTO THE TIRE. PER GOODYEAR TIRE STORES, OTHER MANUFACTURES HAVE GONE TO A REPLACEABLE RUBBER STEM BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT NOT MAZDA. FIRST SENSOR REPLACED AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY MID 2011, SECOND SENSOR REPLACED 6/01/2013, THIRD SENSOR REPLACED 9/17/2014, AND FOURTH SENSOR REPLACED 3/12/2016 ALL BY GOODYEAR TIRE STORES.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS CORRODE AND FALL APART CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT INSTANTLY. I HAVE HAD 3 OF THE ORIGINAL SENSORS FAIL AND THE MOST RECENT ONE (2-16-16) ALSO DESTROYED THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE ON 2-16-16. THESE ORIGINAL SENSORS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF ABRUPTLY. I CHECKED THE ENGINE AND FOUND A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. OIL TRAILS OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE BAY.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD CLATTER LIKE A ROCK IN THE WHEEL WELL AND THE SAW SOMETHING BOUNCE OUT FROM THE SIDE OF MY CAR. MOMENTS LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VEER TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER AND PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO FIND THAT MY VALVE STEM ON MY WHEEL HAD LOST THE NUT HOLDING IT IN PLACE SO THAT THE VALVE FELL INTO THE TIRE LEAVING A LARGE HOLE. AFTER HAVING THE TIRE REPLACED (IT WAS DESTROYED) I SAW THAT THE VALVE (WHICH WAS PART OF THE TPMS) WAS CORRODED AND COULD BE EASILY SNAPPED IN HALF. ANOTHER OF THESE VALVES HAD FAILED FOUR MONTHS PRIOR SO I THINK THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MAZDA REFUSES TO BELIEVE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEIR PART AND SUGGESTS THAT I CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH THE REMAINING SENSORS.
FIRST OFF. I'M A MECHANIC SO THIS SHOULD THROW YOU FOR A LOOP. AT 130,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. IT SAID ENGINE RUNNING RICH. SO I COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTORS OR SENSORS OR ANY LEAK FROM INTAKE OR EXHAUST. MY IDLE WAS RUNNING HIGH SO I REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, THEN MAF SENSOR, THEN O2 SENSORS AND STILL A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT SAID ENGINE RUNNING RICH "BANK 1 RUNNING RICH". THEN IT STARTED TO PUTT AND LOSE POWER. THE OVERALL PROBLEM WAS MY CLUTCH WAS GOING. AFTER IT STARTED TO SLIP I REPLACED IT AND ALL PROBLEMS WERE GONE. SO I WASTED ABOUT $500 FOR IT TO BE A CLUTCH THAT ALSO NEEDED A NEW THROW OUT BEARING AND SPOON BECAUSE THEY REDESIGNED IT WHEN THERE WAS A DEFFICIENCY BUT NO RECALL ON IT. AND BECAUSE OF THE CODE NOT TELLING ME THE RIGHT PROBLEM I ALSO NEEDED A FLY WHEEL. SO I'M OUT OVER $1400. SO MUCH FOR COMPUTERS THAT ARE SMART IN CARS.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Mazda Mazda3 has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 119 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 are steering (31 reports), tires (18 reports), tires,wheels (9 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.