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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

222 reports
89,000 miles · May 8, 2019
EngineService Brakes

THE CAR IDLES VERY HIGH WHICH PREVENTS IT FROM SHIFTING INTO GEAR MOST OF THE TIME. THE IDLE AND RPMS WILL ALSO ACCELERATE WHEN NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE GAS WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE CAR SPEED UP WHEN YOU ARE NOT SPEEDING UP. WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE HAPPENING THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IT (WHILE IT IS STILL ON AND BEING DRI…

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THE CAR IDLES VERY HIGH WHICH PREVENTS IT FROM SHIFTING INTO GEAR MOST OF THE TIME. THE IDLE AND RPMS WILL ALSO ACCELERATE WHEN NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE GAS WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE CAR SPEED UP WHEN YOU ARE NOT SPEEDING UP. WHEN THESE ISSUES ARE HAPPENING THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IT (WHILE IT IS STILL ON AND BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD) OR SOMETIMES WILL REV UP WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BREAK CAUSING IT TO LAUNCH FORWARD. MY CAR HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT DIED WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY AND THE STARRING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED TO DRIVE ME OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAS ALSO LAUNCHED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT CARS IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #11206199

63,000 miles · Apr 10, 2019
Steering

POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. LOCAL IN-TOWN DRIVING. RESTART AFTER COOLDOWN OPERATES, BUT FAILS AFTER TIME. THIS SEEMS IDENTICAL TO : NHSTA RECALL 10V374000 RECALL DATE 08/12/2010 COMPONENT STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM HOWEVER, THIS RECALL IS FOR MAZDA'S PRODUCED FROM 04/07. VIN IN…

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POWER STEERING PUMP HAD SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. LOCAL IN-TOWN DRIVING. RESTART AFTER COOLDOWN OPERATES, BUT FAILS AFTER TIME. THIS SEEMS IDENTICAL TO : NHSTA RECALL 10V374000 RECALL DATE 08/12/2010 COMPONENT STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM HOWEVER, THIS RECALL IS FOR MAZDA'S PRODUCED FROM 04/07. VIN IN THIS EXAMPLE WAS MANUFACTURED 02/07

NHTSA ODI #11195322

75,000 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Engine

THE FIBERGLASS TUNNEL HEAT SHIELD HAD DETERIORATED AND PARTS OF THE FIBERGLASS WERE FALLING ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPING AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BURNING. THE ODOR FROM THE BURNING WAS NOTICEABLE BOTH INSIDE THE CAR AND WHEN STANDING OUTSIDE NEXT TO THE ENGINE. BURNING OCCURRED BOTH WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11185544

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AS WELL AS THE CLOCK AND RADIO. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY.

NHTSA ODI #11184630

20,000 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Air BagsCrash

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BACK IN OCTOBER 2018 WERE SHE FLIPPED INTO A STREAM. SHE ESCAPED WITH BRUISES AND CUTS, I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT NOTHING WORSE HAPPEN TO HER. WHEN THE WRECKER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT, I NOTICED THAT THE ROOF OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED IN AS WELL AS THE FRONT…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BACK IN OCTOBER 2018 WERE SHE FLIPPED INTO A STREAM. SHE ESCAPED WITH BRUISES AND CUTS, I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT NOTHING WORSE HAPPEN TO HER. WHEN THE WRECKER WAS PULLING HER CAR OUT, I NOTICED THAT THE ROOF OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED IN AS WELL AS THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAZDA 3 THAT WE PURCHASED FOR OUR DAUGHTER WAS TOTALED BUT NO AIRBAGS EVER CAME OUT. THE COP, EMS WORKER, AND I WAS WONDERING WHY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I KEPT CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER CAR BUT THE WEBSITE KEEPS SAYING 0. I REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED PROMPTLY!

NHTSA ODI #11157212

175,000 miles · Sep 12, 2018
Steering

POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. SOMETIMES I NEED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO PREVENT A CRASH DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11129124

123,000 miles · Aug 3, 2018
Unknown Or Other

VERY BAD VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO FAILED AND COLLAPSED MOTOR MOUNTS

NHTSA ODI #11115673

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels

I HAVE PURCHASED MULTIPLE SETS OF NEW TIRES FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT ALL THE COMPLAINTS SAY ABOUT THE TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE WALLS. I HAVE HAD A FEW PROFESSIONALS LOOK TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND NONE OF THEM CAN FIND ANYTHING. I NOW EXPERIENCE SHAKING OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH. …

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I HAVE PURCHASED MULTIPLE SETS OF NEW TIRES FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT ALL THE COMPLAINTS SAY ABOUT THE TIRES WEARING ON THE INSIDE WALLS. I HAVE HAD A FEW PROFESSIONALS LOOK TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND NONE OF THEM CAN FIND ANYTHING. I NOW EXPERIENCE SHAKING OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH. MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHENEVER. JUST IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE PURCHASED 6 NEW TIRES. I AM AFRAID I WILL DIE IN AN ACCIDENT IF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE HELP!! MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR SHAKES, THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRES AND BACK DRIVER SIDE WEAR DOWN TO THE THREADS ON THE INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11104791

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

184,850 miles · Jun 13, 2018
Steering

WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, MY RADIO TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE SO IT WAS REALLY UNSAFE AND I COULD HAVE WRECKED. SUDDENLY THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11101728

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.