2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 117about this part
- Share
- 39%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 117 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 39% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Steering wheel locked up on the highway as I was curving to the right. Caused my car to veer off the road and ran along a rail until the I braked the car. I could not turn the steering wheel and that caused the accident. Last year I had the Mazda serviced which they had fixed the recall supposedly. But this is the second time that this happened. I may not be lucky the next time.”
NHTSA complaint #10786415, filed 2015-10, 50 miles“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“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“We bought our Mazda 3 in august of 2008. We live in ct and my son goes to college in ri. He has the car with him. He has complained numerous times that he has no power steering. Just recently the power steering was lost on I-95 when he was exiting. This is a very dangerous situation and it seems Mazda is aware of it but has not ordered a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10330923, filed 2010-05, 49,385 miles“While driving my '08 MAZDA3 5-door, 2.3l on the i80/94 expressway in stop and go construction traffic, I lost power steering. Idiot light came on. Was able to steer car home; just no power steering. Per owner's manual restarted car and problem was gone. Power steering has not been a problem since. Happened with about 36,000 miles on car.”
NHTSA complaint #10341230, filed 2010-07, 36,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V374000Aug 12, 2010Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008. These vehicles may have…Covers: Mazda MAZDA3 2007–2009, MAZDA5 2007–2009
Related service bulletins
- 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…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153318Jan 23, 2019Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10142519May 8, 2018Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10185904Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10101062Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10090812Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10098895Nov 4, 2014Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road. Follow steering wheel alignment procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 9 | 8% |
| 2012 | 15 | 7% |
| 2011 | 13 | 10% |
| 2010 | 31 | 5% |
| 2009 | 35 | 30% |
| 2008 | 117 | 39% |
| 2007 | 89 | 40% |
| 2006 | 28 | 17% |
| 2005 | 15 | 15% |
| 2004 | 19 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3
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 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 28, 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