2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 7%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 7% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The brake pedal goes too far before engaging. I've had the brake fluid replaced and after about 6 months, the problem has occured again. The research that I have done shows that it is a problem with the ABS actuator. There's appears to be a fault that allows pressure to bleed past the valves in the actuator. This is a serious problem as stopping distance is affected. There needs to be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11109514, filed 2018-07, 190,000 miles“While driving approx 75 MPH on a highway, my power steering suddenly failed, and simultaneously my brakes failed (felt like they locked up, as they became extremely difficult to push pedal). I had to shift suddenly in to neutral in order to reduce my speed and pull safely to the shoulder. This same incident also occurred on 8/10/2012.”
NHTSA complaint #10470700, filed 2012-08, 46,000 miles“I was driving on a 30 MPH road near my apartment and when I went to brake while moving, the brakes failed on my Mazda 3. I was pressing the brakes and then all of the sudden the pedal went to the floor and the car continued rolling. Luckily the car was not going fast and was able to roll to a stop with just the hand brake. My car only has 104,000 miles on the odometer. There were no lit up indicators on the dashboard and no warning signs before the catastrophic failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11105261, filed 2018-07, 104,000 miles“When I brake, the rotor separated into two pieces effectively removing my front brakes. Upon inspection of the rotor, it looks like they preferentially rusted at the interface between the rotor body and where the brake pads grab. It seemed strange, like a defect and no one I talked to had ever seen this before. May have just been a freak thing but figured I would report it because the situation could have been a lot worse if I was on a highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10682413, filed 2015-02, 114,000 miles“#1 air bag warning dash light remains illuminated and has stayed illuminated for approximately 1 1/2+ years. There is no Mazda dealership in my area and I initially believed it was my responsibility to replace or repair at my expense due to the vehicle's age. #2 brakes: vehicle was recently serviced and comprehensive safety inspected on 6 nov 2018. I asked the shop to check the brake pedal for abnormal pressure. I felt the brake pedal was not maintaining a firm pedal push while driving, but at first felt firm then softened almost all the way to the floor board. …”
NHTSA complaint #11155816, filed 2018-12, 134,091 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10170657Jan 8, 2020Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 10153307Jan 14, 2019Mazda North American Operations has approved an additional on-car brake lathe as an option for MNAO authorized equipment. The Pro-Cut On-Car Brake Lathe has been added to the…
- 10153227Jan 10, 2019Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 10153319Jan 3, 2019Some customers may report a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle. This concern will most likely occur during the vehicles first forward movement…
- 10148003Oct 10, 2018Mazda North American Operations has approved an additional on-car brake lathe as an option for MNAO authorized equipment. The Pro-Cut On-Car Brake Lathe has been added to the…
- 10142515May 11, 2018Mazda North American Operations has approved an additional on-car brake lathe as an option for MNAOauthorized equipment. The Pro-Cut On-Car Brake Lathe has been added to the MNAO…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 2 | 17% |
| 2021 | 5 | 9% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 15 | 20% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 28 | 22% |
| 2014 | 26 | 19% |
| 2013 | 15 | 13% |
| 2012 | 14 | 6% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 38 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 7% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 6 | 6% |
| 2004 | 28 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3
117 complaintsTires
41 complaintsWheels
33 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology