2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 47,802miles, 30 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 23 complaints (70% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and electrical system (2). 30 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,802 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 35 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling5 15%
- Electrical system2 6.1%
- Other or unknown2 6.1%
- Suspension2 6.1%
- Wheels2 6.1%
- Engine1 3.0%
- Fuel system1 3.0%
- Seat belts1 3.0%
- Body and structure1 3.0%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “I was driving on a city road doing 35-40mph in 4th gear. I let off the gas while in 4th and coasted to about 20mph then shifted to n and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I tried to shift to 1st an the shifter went half way in between r and 1st, so I shifted back to n and tried 1st again. Then the whole shifter broke off and was just laying there. Now my car is stuck in 3rd gear.”
NHTSA complaint #11084999, filed 2018-04, 99,500 milesEngine cooling: “The issue first begun (05/04/09) when the engine missed fired while driving on the hwy, which cause the car to feel as if it was going to stall. After that incident, a knocking noise in the engine compartment was apparent. There was also vibration from that noise that can be felt through the pedals of the car. I brought the car to the dealer, which was sierra Mazda of monrovia, ca, and I explain the whole situation, they only looked at the car for about 15mins and then said it was a clutch related issue that was not covered under warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10274790, filed 2009-06, 27,769 milesElectrical system: “Most cars have two horn tones, a low and a high. For the us market, the mazda3/speed3 deletes the low tone. The remaining high tone is too weak to be heard by surrounding motorists. I have added an aftermarket low tone and have lost count of how many times this upgrade has prevented a crash. Which makes me wonder how the NHTSA allowed Mazda to sell cars in the us with such worthless horns?”
NHTSA complaint #10440326, filed 2011-12, 48,805 milesOther or unknown: “I began to accelerate my mazdaspeed 3 shifting from 1st gear to second gear. I shifted into third where my shift broke and remained in my hand. My car stalled out in 3rd because I could not shift out. I took off the plastics covering the shifter and pulled the plate back into neautral so I could push my car to the local gas station. My shifter rod snapped and the spring came out.”
NHTSA complaint #10981173, filed 2017-04Mileage when problems were reported
57% of the 30 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,974 and 84,332 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed 3 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V329000Jun 15, 2011Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Mazda MAZDASPEED3 2008–2009, MAZDA3 2008–2009
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured from january 7, 2008, through november 28, 2008. The ground terminal of the windshield wiper motor may have been inadvertently bent during assembly. If this…
Recall details for the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 35 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037013Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024Electrical system, Other or unknown. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10200527Aug 17, 2021Equipment. This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâÂÂs floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following are possible causes of…
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021Electrical system. This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery…
- 10188015Feb 8, 2021Electrical system. The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following…
- 10186701Jan 26, 2021Equipment. A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in…
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021Electrical system, Equipment, Vehicle speed control. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Transmission and drivetrain, Steering, Engine cooling…. Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the…
- 10179228Aug 3, 2020Wheels, Tires. New CARB regulation regarding mandatory checking and documenting of tire pressure whenever a vehicle is in for service work. This applies to all service shops (including Mazda dealerships) in…
Other model years of the Mazda MAZDASPEED3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 | 21,550 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 5 | 40,611 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 32 | 66,257 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 33 | 47,802 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2007 | 38 | 11,700 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mazda MAZDASPEED3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 23 complaints (70% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.
Has the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (Speed 3, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 reported?
Among the 30 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,802 miles and the middle half falls between 38,974 and 84,332 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.