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Engine coolingPart report

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
3%of 303 total for the year
Median mileage
12,800miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 3% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Shortly after purchasing a 2008 MAZDA3 I 2.0l sedan, I began to feel a shake through the steering wheel and chassis while idling/driving. Dealer verified shake and per TSB due to an ongoing problem, replaced motor mounts. Car felt better but not completely free of engine shake and now appears to be getting worse. When the engine is started cold it shakes the entire car and when warm a suttle but noticeable shake is still felt though the steering wheel and chassis. After reading numerous posts on MAZDA3 enthusiast websites, this appears to be a common and ongoing problem spanning several years.”

NHTSA complaint #10242389, filed 2008-09, 4,000 miles

“Sitting in parking lot, engine and A/C on, then tried to pull out, power steering failed; had to wait one hour for car to cool before the steering came back on. The power steering pump failed, needs to be flushed, common problem with the Mazda 3's apparently. At least it did not happen on the road.”

NHTSA complaint #10345406, filed 2010-07, 12,800 miles

“Engine mounts failed. Noticed vibration in the cabin when the car was in drive. There was no noticed vibration when the car was idling. When the engine was in drive, with the hood popped, the engine was noticeably pitching forward and returning to it's default position when the gas was released. I checked recalls and there were none shown, but there were many complaints about this on the internet. Local mechanic also stated that this is a known.”

NHTSA complaint #10430175, filed 2011-10, 45,000 miles

“The contact owned a 2008 Mazda MAZDA3. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact noticed smoke from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The contact then opened the hood and noticed flames. The fire spread throughout the entire vehicle. The fire department reported to the scene. There was no report filed. The insurance provider had the vehicle towed to a collision center. The vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10456339, filed 2012-04, 77,000 miles

“2008 Mazda 3. Consumer states engine blew the vehicle was towed to the dealership where it was purchased. An inspection revealed, there was insufficient oil in the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10356490, filed 2010-09

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201822%
201411%
201242%
201122%
201091%
200911%
2008103%
200784%
20061710%
20051920%
20041712%

Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Steering
117 complaintsTires
41 complaintsWheels
33 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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