YearToAvoid

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 Mazda Mazda3 has a Complaint Index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 303 complaints, led by steering problems (117 complaints, 39% share), plus two recalls covering power steering and windshield wiper grounding.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 Mazda3 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
303
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
29
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
20
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25.5
22.5 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
20 / 0

Top 2008 Mazda Mazda3 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering117 (39%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires67 (22%)
  3. Engine34 (11%)
  4. Electrical System27 (9%)
  5. Brakes24 (8%)
  6. Airbags22 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain15 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers15 (5%)
  9. Other12 (4%)
  10. Fuel System9 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Steering wheel suddenly becomes extremely stiff or the power steering warning light comes on, often followed by loss of control.
  • Power steering fails without warning at highway speed, in one case leading to a crash into a guard rail.
  • Wiring harness and steering pump reportedly fail together, requiring towing to a dealer for replacement.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed frontal or side-impact crashes.
  • Parking brake reportedly fails while the vehicle is parked, allowing it to roll down an incline and strike another vehicle.
2008 Mazda Mazda3 complaints: complaints filed per quarter582007 Q42009 Q42011 Q32013 Q22015 Q12016 Q42018 Q32020 Q3
303 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2025 Q2; peak 2010 Q3 (58).

2008 Mazda Mazda3 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 11V329000Jun 15, 2011Visibility & Wipers103,300 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 10V374000Aug 12, 2010Steering215,000 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    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.

    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.

2008 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22.5 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Mazda3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution70166125.5
2007Avoid90222225
2008Avoid95303225.5
2009Avoid75115325
2010Avoid100686326

All Mazda Mazda3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Mazda3 ranks second-worst among 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 95, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Mazda3 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
Steering is the top problem area, with 117 complaints making up 39% of all reports and a median failure mileage of 34,000 miles; 11 of these complaints involved crashes.
Does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have a steering recall?
Yes. Recall 10V374000 covers 2007-2009 Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles for possible sudden loss of power steering assist, with dealers replacing the power steering pump and lines free of charge.
Are there other recalls on the 2008 Mazda3?
Yes, recall 11V329000 addresses a windshield wiper motor ground terminal that may have been bent during assembly, affecting 2008-2009 Mazda3 vehicles built between January and November 2008.
How does the 2008 Mazda3 compare to other years?
With a Complaint Index of 95 and rank 2 of 21 years, the 2008 model is worse than most other Mazda3 years; only 2010 (index 100) scores higher.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.