2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 5%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,028miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 5% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,028 miles. 1 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.
“Aeveral recalls for 2008 MAZDA3..... However my VIN isnt assosiated with any and I have all the problema. Power steerings unit stripped2 or the 3 bolts holes ans fell down from cracked engine mounts slight rattling..... Stationary and moving. Idle is at 500-1,000 rpms very odd feeling. Random body damage and entire of bottom engine rusty.... Paint rusts as well. Just bought the car on finance and really need some help”
NHTSA complaint #10970397, filed 2017-04, 68,000 miles“Car accident going around 60mph on a highway, hit guardrail head on due to black ice and rain, spinning twice hitting guardrails again front and back multiple times, not a single airbag deployed. Thank goodness for the seatbelt as I'm sure death would have occurred if that failed too. Going through the insurance process now and will have more pictures and police report in hand shortly. I thought my wife and kids were in a safe car... I guess not.”
NHTSA complaint #10836550, filed 2016-02, 40,000 miles“I parked my car on numerous occasions in the last few months where the transmission failed to engage in park. It required multiple tries to get the park indicator light on the dash to reflect that the car was safely engaged in park. Before I realized what was happening with the transmission. On at least 3 occasions I was unable to start my car at all when I returned from a brief stop. The problem with failing to start happened when the car was on a slight incline and I had engaged the parking brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561524, filed 2014-01, 55,000 miles“10 minutes after my check engine light went on my car lost power to accelerate. I pulled over as soon as this started and by the time I was able to get off the highway my car died at the top of the off ramp. At this point it began billowing white smoke out from under the hood, out the tailpipe, and into the cabin of the car. It was not blue nor did it have an oil smell. I was originally travelling approximately 70 miles an hour when I started to lose power and in the minute or two it took me to get to the off ramp and at the time the car died I was going less than 5mph. …”
NHTSA complaint #10967810, filed 2017-03, 85,000 miles“Car was vibrating a lot when in gear and holding brakes replaced motor mounts and throttle body to fix issue. Also when slowing down and speeding back up the transmission grinds when down shifting. Feels like it is slipping and is not safe if you are driving on the highway or in the city and want to switch lanes and speed up I'm afraid one day I'm going to switch lanes hit the gas and the transmission will fail. The carmax I got the car from insists it is just a transmission shutter and it happens with certain cars. I will be getting a second opinion from an ase certified transmission shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10825734, filed 2016-02, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g…
- 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…
- 11007019Aug 15, 2024If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
- 10092584Aug 26, 2016There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This service bulletin is to inform…
- 10092724Jun 24, 2016If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the…
- 10085289Jun 24, 2016If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 19 | 35% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 12 | 11% |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% |
| 2014 | 13 | 9% |
| 2013 | 11 | 9% |
| 2012 | 32 | 14% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 22 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 16 | 5% |
| 2007 | 22 | 10% |
| 2006 | 17 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3
117 complaintsTires
41 complaintsWheels
33 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
17 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 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