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2007 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

183 reports with mileage · 39 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

8 reports
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15,000 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrashInjury

I HAD JUST GOT MY GRANDSON AND WAS TRAVELING DOWN I75 IN GA I WAS GOING TO MERGE INTO THE NEXT LANE FROM THE FAST LANE, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE MIRROR AND THEN BACK IN FRONT, I HAD PLENTY OF TIME AND ROOM, AS I STARTED TO MERGE IT WAS LIKE I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL AND LIKE I WAS BREAKING INSTEAD OF SPENDING…

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I HAD JUST GOT MY GRANDSON AND WAS TRAVELING DOWN I75 IN GA I WAS GOING TO MERGE INTO THE NEXT LANE FROM THE FAST LANE, I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE MIRROR AND THEN BACK IN FRONT, I HAD PLENTY OF TIME AND ROOM, AS I STARTED TO MERGE IT WAS LIKE I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL AND LIKE I WAS BREAKING INSTEAD OF SPENDING UP TO GET INTO THE OTHER LANE, IT HAPPENED SO FAST I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE BECAUSE I NEVER SHOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR, SUV. IN FRONT OF ME, I HIT HIM WITH MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT, BUT IF MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING AS IT SHOULD HAVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE LANE AND PASSING HIM I WAS STUNNED, AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY OF THE RECALLS ON MY CAR, AND I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BROUGHT IT, NEW FROM TIME TO TIME AND HAD WORK DONE, MAINTENANCE AND WAS NEVER TOLD BUT I SURE KNEW WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT AND THEY SAID I WAS PASSED WARRANTY ON IT SO I ORDERED A NEW ONE AND HAD THEM INSTALL IT BUT NEVER TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT THE 2 RECALLS AND WHEN I WAS IN THE COLLISION I TOLD MY FRIEND WHO CAME TO GET ME SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR, IT DIDN'T WANT TO TURN AND IT SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES. I GUESS THAT'S WHAT SAVED OUR LIVES BUT IF IT HAD NOT HAPPENED I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD THE WRECK MY CAR WAS TOTALED, I WAS NOT HURT NOT BAD JUST BRUISED BY THE AIRBAG AND MY GRANDSON HAD SEATBELT MARKS ON HIS NECK AND WAIST. OF COURSE I TOOK PICTURES AND I WILL UP LOAD THEM FOR YOU

NHTSA ODI #11228455

141,000 miles · Jun 21, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY STEERING LOCKED UP SO I COULDN'T STEER MY STEERING WHEEL . I ROLLED MY CAR AND NEARLY WAS KILLED

NHTSA ODI #11103069

106,000 miles · Aug 16, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

AS I PLACED THE MANUAL 5-DOOR SEDAN MODEL INTO REVERSE GEAR AND SLOWLY INCHED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE POWER TO THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING DIED AND A THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AS I PLACED THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND BEGAN TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD, GREAT DIFFICULTY WAS FELT TRYING TO GET TH…

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AS I PLACED THE MANUAL 5-DOOR SEDAN MODEL INTO REVERSE GEAR AND SLOWLY INCHED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE POWER TO THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING DIED AND A THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AS I PLACED THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND BEGAN TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD, GREAT DIFFICULTY WAS FELT TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN AND THE AC AND RADIO KEPT TURNING OFF. AS I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ONTO THE MAIN STREET, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING AND ALMOST CREATED AN ACCIDENT. THIS INABILITY TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE ELECTRICAL GOING OUT, RESULTED IN ME EVENTUALLY PULLING TO THE CURB AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER GIVING THE VEHICLE A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED IT AND HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL I WAS PULLING INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX ABOUT 15 MINUTES AWAY WHERE THE SAME POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULDN'T FULLY TURN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ARE EXACTLY THE SAME COMPLAINTS THAT CAN BE FOUND WITH NTHSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V374000

NHTSA ODI #11015625

90,000 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE LOST ALL POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES, VERY SCARY! MAKES IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TURNS! NOTICED IT LUCKILY AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A LARGE PARKING LOT. TRYING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION SO I CAN USE A CAR THAT ISN'T AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11005185

130,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

ANY TIME I PROCEED TO MAKE A TURN, MY WHEEL STIFFENS. EVERY LIGHT IN MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. MY RADIO CUTS OFF AND CAR STALLS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS EXACT MODEL OF CAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED.

NHTSA ODI #10905153

117,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING, I SLOWED DOWN AND WHEN TURNING, MY WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY TURN. MY ABS LIGHT FLASHED, ALONG WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT. THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND THEN CAME BACK ON. THE WHEEL UNLOCKED AND LUCKILY I WAS NOT TURNING WHERE SOMEONE WAS STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI #10786560

122,094 miles · May 1, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA. THE CAR'S GEARS DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS. IF I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE LIGHT SWITCHES FROM RED TO GREEN THE VEHICLE JUMPS AS IF IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF. MY AT LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND MY …

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WOODBRIDGE, VA. THE CAR'S GEARS DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AND THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY STALLS. IF I'M AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE LIGHT SWITCHES FROM RED TO GREEN THE VEHICLE JUMPS AS IF IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF. MY AT LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE LIGHT IS CHECKED, IT'S BECAUSE OF "THE THERMOSTAT" WHICH I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH, THE ENGINE CODE IS COMING UP AS AN ISSUE WITH THE THERMOSTAT, THERE'S ACTUALLY NEVER AN ISSUE. I SEARCHED MY VIN AND ITS STATING THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS THE OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL FOR 2007. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 2013 SO THERE'S NO WAY MAZDA COULD'VE SENT ME INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE RECALL AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713957

73,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10654418

Official recalls

2

21V494000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 1, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.

10V374000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Aug 12, 2010

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS TYPICALLY EXPECTED, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE10021 · Loss Of Electric Power Steering Assist

Opened Jun 28, 2010 · Closed Nov 29, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Steering:electric Power Assist System

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.