YearToAvoid

2009 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#6 most-complained of 21 Mazda3 years

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

The 2009 Mazda Mazda3 has 115 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 75 out of 100 — #6 highest of 21 Mazda3 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is suspension, wheels & tires (40 complaints, 35% of the total). Complaints report 11 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries.

Complaints
115
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
11 / 1
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 29.5 hwy

Top 2009 Mazda Mazda3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (35%)
  2. Steering35 (30%)
  3. Brakes12 (10%)
  4. Electrical System9 (8%)
  5. Engine6 (5%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain6 (5%)
  7. Airbags5 (4%)
  8. Fuel System5 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body5 (4%)
  10. Other4 (3%)
2009 Mazda Mazda3 complaints: complaints filed per quarter192009 Q12010 Q22011 Q32012 Q42014 Q12016 Q12019 Q12022 Q1
129 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q1 to 2025 Q1; peak 2010 Q3 (19).

2009 Mazda Mazda3 recalls

3 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.

  3. NHTSA 09V187000May 29, 2009Brakes7,100 vehicles

    Electronic stability control (esc)

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2009 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
29.5 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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.

2009 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
2007Avoid90222225
2008Avoid95303225.5
2009Avoid75115325
2010Avoid100686326
2011Avoid80132226

All Mazda Mazda3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 ranks #6 of 21 among Mazda3 model years (Complaint Index 75/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 115 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda Mazda3?
The most reported problem areas are suspension, wheels & tires (40 complaints), steering (35 complaints), and brakes (12 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 33,681 miles.
Does the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Mazda Mazda3, most recently reported 2011, covering visibility & wipers, steering, and brakes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Mazda Mazda3?
EPA rates the 2009 Mazda Mazda3 at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.