2009 Mazda MAZDA3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3, 5% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I was attempting to turn left while in a local parking lot, but an unexpected power steering failure caused vehicle to collide with adjacent curb and onto a city fire hydrant. I was traveling at about 10 MPH when this occurred and the ground had been wet, but it was not raining at the time of the incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10513532, filed 2013-05, 30,534 miles“My 2009 Mazda 3 has experienced over heating of the transaxle (transmission) when operating in outside temperatures of 100 degrees and over. I have taken it to the dealer and talked to Mazda corp. And they have not been able to resolve the problem. Their only advice is to pull over and let the transmission cool down. This has become a safety problem due to having to pull over in some less than safe areas.”
NHTSA complaint #10322413, filed 2010-03, 19,000 miles“First off. I'm a mechanic so this should throw you for a loop. At 130,000 miles my check engine light kept coming on. It said engine running rich. So I couldn't find a problem with fuel injectors or sensors or any leak from intake or exhaust. My idle was running high so I replaced fuel injectors, then maf sensor, then o2 sensors and still a check engine light. It said engine running rich bank 1 running rich . Then it started to putt and lose power. The overall problem was my clutch was going. After it started to slip I replaced it and all problems were gone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10846231, filed 2016-03, 130,000 miles“Premature transmission failure due to catastrophic clutch failure from the clutch plate itself on 2009 MAZDA3 with only 18,000 miles on it. Car was bought new from dealership. Clutch failure resulted in an incident of loss of control over the vehicle in 3 lanes of traffic due to loss of power through the driveline.”
NHTSA complaint #10398269, filed 2011-04, 18,050 miles“For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.”
NHTSA complaint #11519374, filed 2023-04Related 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…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
- 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…
- 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…
- 10136777Apr 2, 2018Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF. Using the wrong ATF may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the transmission…
- 10097348Mar 11, 2013Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf. Using the wrong atf may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the…
- 10097367Mar 4, 2013Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf. Using the wrong atf may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 5% |
| 2013 | 18 | 15% |
| 2012 | 40 | 18% |
| 2011 | 12 | 9% |
| 2010 | 40 | 6% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 24 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
35 complaintsTires
26 complaintsWheels
19 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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