2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 70%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, 70% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,600 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The shift lever complete broke off and no longer had any affect on engaging any of the gears. I was stopped at a light and it broke when I tried to engage 1st gear out of neutral. Luckily I was able to feel for the shift cable mechanism through the leather shifter boot and engage 3rd gear. Limped home in 3rd.”
NHTSA complaint #10641487, filed 2014-10, 82,000 miles“While shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear my shift stalk fell off in my hands. I had to turn my emergency blinkers on and pull over without being able to shift gears. I was able to reach below the shift boot and feel the shifting base mechanism to move the car back in to gear once off of the road. I am currently unable to drive the car as the shift control will not stay in place.”
NHTSA complaint #10489065, filed 2012-12, 43,250 miles“Coming up towards a stop sign on put the car in neutral like always hit brakes stop at the stop sigh then attempt to shift to 1st and the shifter just falls out. Lucky for me I was 2 stop signs from my house so I was able to put take the shift boot out and get the car into 2nd and make it home.”
NHTSA complaint #10491617, filed 2013-01, 46,800 miles“Stopped at a stoplight, I attempted to shift in to first gear. While shifting, the transmission select lever sheered at the insertion point to the transmission at the retention pin. I was left with a stick shift that was completely removed from the car and immobile.”
NHTSA complaint #10577559, filed 2014-04, 58,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10024864Apr 2, 2008Rough idle, lack of power, and/or mil on with dtc p2177/p2187 (fuel system lean).
- 10024621Mar 27, 2008Rough idle, lack of power, and/or mil on with dtc p2177/p2187 (fuel system lean).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3
5 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3
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