Owners have filed 140 complaints
about the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 with NHTSA between 2009 and 2025.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 21 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Mazda MAZDA3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 70
13.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 84
49% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Pressure Monitoring AND Regulating Systems
1045.5%
Valve
313.6%
Electric Power Assist System
29.1%
Body
29.1%
Automatic Transmission
29.1%
Motor
14.5%
Side/Window
14.5%
Rear
14.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
21.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1311.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
2824.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3429.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1916.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1512.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
54.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2009peak 11Mar 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE10021Opened 28 Jun 2010Closed 29 Nov 2010STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
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 be...
Recalls on the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201122945,729 units in Canada
Visual System
On certain vehicles, the ground terminal of the windshield wiper motor may have been inadvertently bent during vehicle assembly. Over time, the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may increase, causing the wiper motor to become inoperative. Loss of windshield wiping capability, should it occur during a rainy/snowy day, may compromise the driver's ability to see the road and its users, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install an additional ground harness to the wiper motor.
Recall 201027491,000 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles with Electro-Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (EHPAS), rust had formed inside the high-pressure pipe on the power steering system during manufacturing due to improper processing. Rust particles may detach from the pipe walls and enter the motorized power steering pump, causing damage to the pump bearings. As a result, gear lubrication may be reduced, leading to an increased load on the motor. Should this happen, there is the potential for the power steering system to enter the fail safe mode in order to prevent overheating, resulting in the power steering warning lamp to light and the motorized pump to stop which could lead to a loss of power assist and the required steering effort will increase. Correction: Dealers will flush the power steering system and repair as necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 45,000 miles808-389-2698, HIFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS MELTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATED AT RANDOM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #10662744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,534 milesAlta Loma, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT, BUT AN UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ADJACENT CURB AND ONTO A CITY FIRE HYDRANT. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE GROUND HAD BEEN WET, BUT IT WAS NOT RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10513532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,534 milesAlta Loma, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT, BUT AN UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ADJACENT CURB AND ONTO A CITY FIRE HYDRANT. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE GROUND HAD BEEN WET, BUT IT WAS NOT RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10513532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,534 milesAlta Loma, CACrash
ENGINE
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT WHILE IN A LOCAL PARKING LOT, BUT AN UNEXPECTED POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH ADJACENT CURB AND ONTO A CITY FIRE HYDRANT. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE GROUND HAD BEEN WET, BUT IT WAS NOT RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10513532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesRochester, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL. WAS COMING UP ON A CAR AND HIT BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. INSTEAD OF TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOWING THE CAR, HITTING THE BRAKE CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELETRATE. I COULD ONLY TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BY SLAMMING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10507440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesBurton, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS MERGING ONTO INTERSTATE 69 FROM CENTER ROAD IN FLINT, MICHIGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 A.M. THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME MERGING AT THE SAME TIME. THAT VEHICLE MERGED IN FRONT OF A JEEP AND I MERGED BEHIND IT. THE DRIVER OF THE JEEP STATED THE VEHICLE MERGING IN FRONT OF HIM CUT HIM OFF CAUSING HIM TO BRAKE HARD AND SWERVE INTO CENTER LANE TO AVOID A CRASH. I BRAKED HARD TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE JEEP. THE DRIVER OF THE JEEP ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE IN THE CENTER LANE SWERVED INTO THE LEFT LANE CAUSING THE VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND UPON RE-ENTERING THE LEFT LANE OVER-CORRECTED AND SLID ACROSS CENTER LANE INTO RIGHT LANE HITTING THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING IT TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL THEN GOING INTO 360 DEGREE SPIN AND COMING TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET FARTHER ALONG THE HIGHWAY AGAINST THE GUARDRAIL. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED IN THE CRASH. I HAVE A FRACTURED STERNUM AND BRUISES TO MY LEFT KNEE, RIGHT ARM AND LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK. [XXX] UD-10 SERIAL #77152 FLINT POLICE DEPT.- TRAFFIC DIVISION 210 E. FIFTH ST. FLINT, MI 48502 (810) 237-6890 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10490076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Riverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake pedal sinks to the ground d after abs is turned on due to hard braking or after hitting a dip
NHTSA complaint #11650136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,212 milesMiami, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that previously there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle and in the trunk. In addition, the contact stated that the odor was very strong, causing her to become light-headed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,212.
NHTSA complaint #11637360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DE
POWER TRAIN
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
NHTSA complaint #11519374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DE
STEERING
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 car, and the power assist is restored. This has happened five times in the last 9 months. So far there have been no accidents. The date velow is the most recent date of this failure.
NHTSA complaint #11519376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DE
SERVICE BRAKES
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
NHTSA complaint #11519374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livonia, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Brake lights are causing the top of the tail light to melt on the housing.
NHTSA complaint #11458251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel pump lock ring on my 2009 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 has failed which is causing two engine codes: P0442 and P0455. In addition there is a strong smell of gasoline fumes around the rear of the car after driving and parking. The fuel pump lock ring is a plastic threaded ring which secures and seals the fuel pump and fuel level sender to the fuel tank. Mazda has released a safety recall 5121I for MY2009-2011 RX-8 and MY2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. Mazda states: "On certain subject RX-8 and Mazdaspeed6 vehicles, improper installation of the fuel pump mounting rings may lead to cracking of the rings, causing fuel leakage. In addition, on certain RX-8 vehicles, the fuel pump mounting rings may deteriorate due to heat exposure from the engine and exhaust pipe due to insufficient heat resistance at the top side of the fuel tank. This may also lead to cracking of the rings, causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage may result in increased risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source near the vehicle." The faulty part number for the RX-8 matches that of the Mazdaspeed3. That is Mazda part number: BN8F-42-167 I believe the failure of this part and recall should extend to affected Mazda 3 vehicles, and any other models with the same part. I have opened a case with Mazda Corporate. Case number: 14466166445 I have uploaded a video of the smoke test performed by a local shop indicating the leak is coming from the ring: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6t6KeeaDPLgGzvvaA I have also attached a screenshot of the video, unfortunately the image quality provided by the mechanic is very poor.
NHTSA complaint #11439442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
parking brake not working due to mechanism on rear caliper is rusted solid so it can not activate brake
NHTSA complaint #11435625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesOshkosh, WI
STEERING
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 STEERING DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M LEFT FINISHING MY TURN WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING IS THE ONLY THING THAT DOES NOT "RESET" WHEN THE POWER FAILS. THE POWER STEERING MAY TAKE 3-6 SECONDS BEFORE IT COMES BACK. AND IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER I'M THROUGH MY TURN. IT TYPICALLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN MY BLINKER, AND BRAKE IS APPLIED, ALMOST LIKE THE POWER OF THOSE LIGHTS SHUTS EVERYTHING OFF. BUT THIS ALL HAPPENS AT RANDOM. I HAVE A PART TIME JOB ON THE WKNDS DELIVERING FOOD. IT STARTED OUT JUST MAYBE HAPPENING ONCE A MONTH, AND THAT WAS 3-4 MONTHS AGO. NOW IT'S EVERYTIME I GO OUT, IT'S LIKELY TO HAPPEN, BUT WHEN, IT'S IMPOSSILBE TO TELL BECAUSE I CAN TRY EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN THAT NORMALLY MIGHT SEEM TO BE THE CAUSE AND THEN NOTHING. I'VE READ A LOT OF FORUMS RECENTLY THAT HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH EITHER EXACT PROBLEMS OR VERY SIMILAR. I DON'T LIVE IN A BIG CITY BUT FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE DRIVING THIS CAR IN A BIG CITY THATS BUSY, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND NOT ONLY THAT PEOPLE ARE GONNA END UP GETTING IN SMALL WRECKS FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I'M UNABLE TO WORK MY WKND JOB WITH THIS ISSUE SO IT'S COSTING ME 3 DAYS OF WORK UNTIL I GET IT FIXED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11405252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesOshkosh, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 STEERING DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M LEFT FINISHING MY TURN WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING IS THE ONLY THING THAT DOES NOT "RESET" WHEN THE POWER FAILS. THE POWER STEERING MAY TAKE 3-6 SECONDS BEFORE IT COMES BACK. AND IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER I'M THROUGH MY TURN. IT TYPICALLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN MY BLINKER, AND BRAKE IS APPLIED, ALMOST LIKE THE POWER OF THOSE LIGHTS SHUTS EVERYTHING OFF. BUT THIS ALL HAPPENS AT RANDOM. I HAVE A PART TIME JOB ON THE WKNDS DELIVERING FOOD. IT STARTED OUT JUST MAYBE HAPPENING ONCE A MONTH, AND THAT WAS 3-4 MONTHS AGO. NOW IT'S EVERYTIME I GO OUT, IT'S LIKELY TO HAPPEN, BUT WHEN, IT'S IMPOSSILBE TO TELL BECAUSE I CAN TRY EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN THAT NORMALLY MIGHT SEEM TO BE THE CAUSE AND THEN NOTHING. I'VE READ A LOT OF FORUMS RECENTLY THAT HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH EITHER EXACT PROBLEMS OR VERY SIMILAR. I DON'T LIVE IN A BIG CITY BUT FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE DRIVING THIS CAR IN A BIG CITY THATS BUSY, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND NOT ONLY THAT PEOPLE ARE GONNA END UP GETTING IN SMALL WRECKS FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I'M UNABLE TO WORK MY WKND JOB WITH THIS ISSUE SO IT'S COSTING ME 3 DAYS OF WORK UNTIL I GET IT FIXED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11405252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,600 milesLayton, UT
STEERING
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 OCCURRED. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS CASES ON MANY WEBSITES WHERE THIS IS OCCURRING. THIS SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL WE FOUND ONLINE, BUT IT IS ACTING LIKE IT HAS THE EXACT PROBLEM . THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING! I HAVE READ ONLINE MANY MORE DRIVERS WHO HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM, AND THEIR CAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11319710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,650 milesRome, ME
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF. SEEMS TO DEPEND ON THE WEATHER, IE, RAIN AND HIGH HUMIDITY
NHTSA complaint #11222872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,650 milesRome, ME
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF. SEEMS TO DEPEND ON THE WEATHER, IE, RAIN AND HIGH HUMIDITY
NHTSA complaint #11222872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBeverly Hills, CA
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE ELECTRICITY FOR THE CAR CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11165693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBeverly Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE ELECTRICITY FOR THE CAR CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11165693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesBeverly Hills, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND THE ELECTRICITY FOR THE CAR CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11165693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8 milesLaredo, TX
STEERING
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, WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREETS OR IN THE HIGHWAY, IT HAPPENED TODAY AND DURING THE LAST WEEK A FEW TIMES
NHTSA complaint #11075832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesPalm Desert, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ELECTRIC DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE FAILED THREE (3) TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. WHILE IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #10956761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesTaylors, SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RED TAIL LIGHT LENS MELTED SO WHEN YOU TURN ON THE LIGHTS, THE TAIL LIGHTS LOOK WHITE INSTEAD OF RED. DID THIS TO BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE TAIL LIGHTS USING ORIGINAL BULBS. I PURCHASED TWO NEW TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND INSTALLED THEM MYSELF. AFTER THREE MONTHS THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT AGAIN MELTED SO IT NOW LOOKS WHITE.
NHTSA complaint #10945446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,497 milesPleasanton, CA
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
WHILE INFLATING A TIRE FOR ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS, THE VALVE STEM BROKE CAUSING ALL AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10938336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marquette Heights, IL
WHEELS
TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 OF THE SENSORS BECAUSE OF BROKEN RETAINING NUTS OR CORRODED STEMS. 3 OF THE SENSORS FAILED DURING DRIVING, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, CAUSING ME TO ALSO REPLACE 3 OF MY TIRES. ANOTHER FAILED AS I WAS CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE, FALLING INTO THE TIRE. PER GOODYEAR TIRE STORES, OTHER MANUFACTURES HAVE GONE TO A REPLACEABLE RUBBER STEM BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT NOT MAZDA. FIRST SENSOR REPLACED AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY MID 2011, SECOND SENSOR REPLACED 6/01/2013, THIRD SENSOR REPLACED 9/17/2014, AND FOURTH SENSOR REPLACED 3/12/2016 ALL BY GOODYEAR TIRE STORES.
NHTSA complaint #10865196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
WHEELS
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, IMMEDIATELY WENT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TIRE RUINED. HAD TROUBLE DIRECTING CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS AROUND. THE TIRE SENSOR CAME APART. ON 2 OTHER TIRES, THE WERE BREAKING, SO HAD TO BE REPLACED. RUINED TIRE HAPPENED IN 2014, BUT REPAIRED TIRES WERE IN 2015.
NHTSA complaint #10862302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesNEW Milford, CT
POWER TRAIN
FIRST OFF. I'M A MECHANIC SO THIS SHOULD THROW YOU FOR A LOOP. AT 130,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. IT SAID ENGINE RUNNING RICH. SO I COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH FUEL INJECTORS OR SENSORS OR ANY LEAK FROM INTAKE OR EXHAUST. MY IDLE WAS RUNNING HIGH SO I REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, THEN MAF SENSOR, THEN O2 SENSORS AND STILL A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT SAID ENGINE RUNNING RICH "BANK 1 RUNNING RICH". THEN IT STARTED TO PUTT AND LOSE POWER. THE OVERALL PROBLEM WAS MY CLUTCH WAS GOING. AFTER IT STARTED TO SLIP I REPLACED IT AND ALL PROBLEMS WERE GONE. SO I WASTED ABOUT $500 FOR IT TO BE A CLUTCH THAT ALSO NEEDED A NEW THROW OUT BEARING AND SPOON BECAUSE THEY REDESIGNED IT WHEN THERE WAS A DEFFICIENCY BUT NO RECALL ON IT. AND BECAUSE OF THE CODE NOT TELLING ME THE RIGHT PROBLEM I ALSO NEEDED A FLY WHEEL. SO I'M OUT OVER $1400. SO MUCH FOR COMPUTERS THAT ARE SMART IN CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10846231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesJenison, MI
WHEELS
TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS CORRODE AND FALL APART CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT INSTANTLY. I HAVE HAD 3 OF THE ORIGINAL SENSORS FAIL AND THE MOST RECENT ONE (2-16-16) ALSO DESTROYED THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE ON 2-16-16. THESE ORIGINAL SENSORS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10836602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carlsbad, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A KEY LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR BY A KEY REMOTE. I DO NOT HAVE A REMOTE. BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE THIS CREATES A RISK OF INJURY FOR THE DRIVER, AS WELL AS PASSENGERS WHO ARE DEPENDENT ON THE DRIVER. FOR EXAMPLE, MY MOTHER IS 80 YEARS OLD AND DEAF. SHE NEEDS ASSISTANCE WALKING. WHEN I NEED TO UNLOCK THE CAR, I HAVE TO LEAVE HER UNATTENDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OR BRING HER WITH ME TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE THEN WALK BACK TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. ANOTHER EXAMPLE WOULD BE IF I NEED TO UNLOCK MY CAR WHEN THERE HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE STREET SIDE (DRIVER'S SIDE) BEFORE I CAN PUT MY DOG'S IN THE CAR, I HAVE TO LEAVE MY DOGS UNATTENDED, OR BRING THEM INTO THE STREET WITH ME. WHEN TRAFFIC IS HEAVY, MY ONLY METHOD TO UNLOCK THE CAR IS TO GO INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE MANY CAR MANUFACTURERS NOT INSTALLING A KEY LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR THIS OTHER THAN SAVING ON COSTS. NOWADAYS MOST CAR KEYS ARE COUPLED WITH A REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE CAR. HOWEVER, IF THE REMOTE SHOULD FAIL, THE DRIVER CAN ONLY UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE DRIVER'S GAIN ENTRY. THIS POSES A DANGEROUS RISK TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. TO REPLACE A FAULTY REMOTE COSTS APPROXIMATELY $150. I BELIEVE THIS APPROACH TO GAIN CAR ENTRY IS DEFECTIVE AND CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. THERE IS A STRONG INFERENCE THAT CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE DELIBERATELY NOT INSTALLING A KEY LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SAVE ON MANUFACTURING COSTS AND ALSO MAKE MONEY BY HAVING THE CONSUMER BUY A REMOTE. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10760004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.