YearToAvoid

2008 Mazda Mazda3 Engine Problems

NHTSA has 34 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, 11% of all 303 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest engine complaint count among 21 Mazda3 model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 66,400 miles.

Engine complaints
34
11% of 303
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
66,400 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Mazda Mazda3 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 8, 2007, latest Aug 6, 2020.

2008 Mazda Mazda3 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2007Jul 2010Oct 2011Nov 2012Dec 2014Jan 2016Sep 2017Aug 2020
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2007 to Aug 2020; peak Apr 2008 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Mazda3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200524 (25%)
  2. 200639 (23%)
  3. 200739 (18%)
  4. 200834 (11%)
  5. 20096 (5%)
  6. 201044 (6%)
  7. 20118 (6%)
  8. 201244 (19%)
  9. 201312 (10%)
  10. 201421 (15%)
  11. 20157 (5%)
  12. 20168 (8%)
  13. 20176 (7%)
  14. 201814 (13%)
  15. 201912 (16%)
  16. 20201 (3%)
  17. 202120 (41%)
  18. 20223 (13%)
  19. 20232 (17%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20251 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 have engine problems?
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, 11% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 66,400 miles.
Which Mazda Mazda3 year has the most engine complaints?
The 2010 Mazda Mazda3 has the most engine complaints (44), compared with 34 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.