no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2009 Mazda MAZDA3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 115 owner complaints about the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 24, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 has problems
115 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
35Steering3 crash/fire/injury
26Tires
19Wheels
6Power train
5Air bags
5Electrical system
5Exterior lighting
4Electronic stability control (ESC)
4Structure
2611 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 35 | 3 |
| Tires | 26 | 0 |
| Wheels | 19 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 26 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2009 Mazda MAZDA3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
33kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 33 steering complaints. 97% were reported before 100,000 miles.
16under 30k miles32under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other MAZDA3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MAZDA3 median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Mazda MAZDA3 safety ratings
2009 Mazda3 5-DR. Hatchback w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of Electric Power Steering AssistLed to recall 10V-374
In owners' words
What MAZDA3 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
When driving and trying to negotiate a turn, or sometimes when going straight, the power assist steering simply fails (stops assisting the steering). I have to "muscle" the car off the roadway and either restart the engine or stop the car (off the road) straighten the steering wheel, restart the…
THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS I'M SLOWING DOWN, AS YOU WOULD TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A STREET OR DRIVEWAY. I TURN ON MY BLINKER, THEN THE MOMENT I PRESS THE BRAKE, ALL OF THE POWER IN THE CAR DIES, AND COMES RIGHT BACK ON. I THINK OF IT AS A QUICK RESET IT SEEMS. HOWEVER, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER…
WHILE DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD (40 MPH) MARCH 2020, MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 MAZDA 3 LOST POWER STEERING, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON HER DASHBOARD. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED US FOR HELP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND OFF THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THREE WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM…
Own a 2009 MAZDA3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.