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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
5%of 303 total for the year
Median mileage
85,234miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3, 5% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,234 miles.

Example complaints

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

“At and yellow check engine light came on and car was in limp mode first thing in morning after having no issues with my Mazda previously. Codes came back with solenoids a, b, c, d, e all have electrical failure, and issues with the oxygen sensor. My car has had regular maintenance done on it. No signs or symptoms of transmission failure beforehand. Happened instantly overnight. Tcm is not in stock anywhere and I suspect that is the culprit due to other Mazda owners similar situations. 95k miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11339240, filed 2020-07, 95,700 miles

“I was driving when suddenly and without notice I lost all control over the engine. Pressing the accelerator down did not change the engine speed. The engine would only idle. The car was towed to the dealer who determined that a bad connection occurred between the wiring and the ?PCM? Module. If this had occurred while passing or while executing a left turn, a serious or even fatal accident could have occurred. Ma 10/22/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10733072, filed 2015-07, 180,000 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

“I was driving at normal speed when with no warning, the car jerks suddenly. I was extremely startled as it felt like I had broken an axle or ran over something big in the road. For unaware drivers it can cause an accident if they swerve in reaction. It happened about 5 more times in a 1 hr drive and just kept on happening whenever I drove it for the next 2 days at higher speeds or lower speeds, I then noticed that my display showed the gear to drop from 5th suddenly into 3rd or 4th to 3rd. …”

NHTSA complaint #10505362, filed 2013-04, 85,234 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 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202418%
2023325%
202228%
202147%
202013%
20191115%
201855%
201734%
201699%
201554%
201475%
20131815%
20124018%
2011129%
2010406%
200965%
2008155%
2007178%
20062113%
200555%
20042417%

Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Steering
117 complaints
Tires
41 complaints
Wheels
33 complaints
Air bags
22 complaints
Brakes
22 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Exterior lighting
17 complaints
Engine
16 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Engine 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