88 of the
4,006 complaints filed about the Mazda MAZDA3
are about the suspension —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
I pulled into the driveway (at about 5 mph) of my passenger's home, when a very loud, metallic pop occurred somewhere inside my vehicle. I could not discern the problem by visually inspecting the car. Upon returning to my home, I arranged for the dealership to inspect the car's suspension. They found that both rear springs had snapped off from their lower vehicle attachment points. At the time of the incident, my car was less than 6 years old and had approximately 62500 total miles. I had the dealership replace both rear springs and associated attachment hardware. Prior to this failure, the dealership had routinely inspected the suspension of my vehicle as part of PA annual inspections. I experienced NO warning symptoms prior to the suspension failure.
NHTSA complaint #11700190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At 31,000 miles the control arm lower ball joints are torn on both lower. They must be replaced. This is a safety hazard. This should not be an issue with low mileage on this car.
NHTSA complaint #11695896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
January 10, 2025, at low city speed, I struck a small pothole. The entire car felt like it had been in an accident—a violent jolt—followed by immediate vibration and a pull. Inspection showed one OEM 18" rim was bent. I contacted Mazda after diagnosing and was offered a slight discount on the replacement rim, not a warranty repair or full diagnosis. I have the bent rim in my possession. July 2025, at low speed, I barely contacted another small pothole and immediately felt the same drivability issues. A second rim was found damaged. This was only 4,500 miles after the first incident. I called the dealership manager; he said he would get back to me but never did. I later sent a letter that went unanswered. My subsequent research shows innumerable similar owner complaints for 2020–2025 Mazda 3s experiencing rim deformation from ordinary road irregularities. Why this is a safety issue (technical points): Bead-seat deformation & air loss: A bent alloy rim can distort the bead seat, causing slow leaks or sudden deflation, especially after heat cycles—creating a loss-of-control risk. Dynamic instability: A rim that’s even slightly out-of-round produces high-frequency vibration, steering pull, and reduced traction in turns or under braking; it can trigger ABS/ESC interventions and increase stopping distance. Load path & suspension stress: The 18" low-profile package leaves little sidewall cushion. On normal bumps/potholes, impact energy transfers directly to the wheel. Repeated “bottom-out” events may damage shocks/struts, alignment, and tires, compounding instability. Repeatability & foreseeability: Two events under ordinary use within a short interval indicate a systemic integrity problem, not random abuse. Requested resolution: A no-cost remedy: (1) replace all rims/tires with more durable parts and inspect/repair suspension; or (2) provide comprehensive wheel/tire protection and repair damaged rim; or (3) exchange he vehicle for a comparable model with no issue
NHTSA complaint #11681156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There has been no accident- the vehicle is my mother in laws vehicle- my concern is while at work she has at times loaded our daughter into the vehicle- I inspected the vehicle one day while as an employee of Les Schwab- the driver cvc axle vibrates so bad from the boot being torn and having no lubrication- these axles power the vehicle forward and if not maintained can snap and cause damage- the wipers no longer work correctly- the tires are 2017 and old and weather cracked- potential to separate while driving or blow out on the heated pavement. upon inspection also found that the front shocks are blown out and bouncing in the mounts under the hood- causing the tires to not have the correct contact patch on the road thus decreasing traction and control- on top of all this the vehicle hasn't been registered since 2020 and has no insurance on the vehicle- again there has been no accident...yet- this is my concern- that if this vehicle continues to remain operational and on the road it not only puts the driver and occupants at risk but also other drivers- kids- teens and anyone that may be on the other end o the crash when the vehicle does snap the cvc axle or blow i out a tire
NHTSA complaint #11538237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Im having issues with rust the car it’s getting pretty much the car it’s falling apart the under body it’s nothing but rust I’m scared of changing a tire because there’s actually not a good grip where I can lift the car without feeling it’s going to fall apart, the rear or the disks it’s falling by chunks and just yesterday the rear shock plate broke out of place because it’s way too rust same thing with my muffler I don’t feel safe I’m My car which I love, I truly do but I feel like at any minute its just going to break apart right now it’s the shock rear driver side but I feel like next a tire or my brake disks are going to break like I said I don’t even feel safe to change a tire
NHTSA complaint #11508457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light and check engine warning lights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the suspension, seat connector, and an unknown software needed to be updated. The contact then stated that due to the suspension failure, the tires were worn prematurely. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11497383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drivers side lower control arm failed at the lower ball joint mounting hole, allowing the ball joint to separate from the arm. All vehicle steering and control was lost due to the failure. This failure: 1. Has extreme danger for traffic fatalities. 2. Suggests substandard materials, design, or manufacturing. Control arm manufacturer: DLZ Sold by: partsgoing Vendor: Amazon.com
NHTSA complaint #11475465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH SALVAGE TITLE ON FEBRUARY 6, 2021. I TOOK IT TO BE INSPECTED AND I NEEDED BOTH BELTS REPLACED, THEY HAD TO TIGHTEN BACK DOWN MY STRUTS IN FRONT, MY POWER STEERING WAS ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING NOISE AND MY INTERMEDIATE SPEED SHAFT SENSOR IS GOING BAD BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON FOR THE SAME CODE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT IT WAS SERIOUS DAMAGE. WHEN DRIVING BARELY TURNING THE WHEEL THE CAR MAKES A WHINING NOISE, THE VEHICLE STILL SWAYS A LITTLE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT BUT THE ALIGNMENT WAS JUST DONE YESTERDAY. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT ETC NEW TIRES AND MOUNT AND BALANCE MY CAR AND STEERING WHEEL WERE BOTH SHAKING REALLY BADLY AND JERKING ALL OVER THE PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #11398986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONTROL ARMS HAVE STARTED LEAKING WHERE THE FRONT BALL JOINTS ARE AND THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT IS DECLINING TO COVER ANY OF THE COSTS. THEY HAVE BEEN LEAKING SINCE MARCH 2020, RIGHT BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO NOT HAVE FOUND ANYTHING WRONG BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. MY PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUND THEY WERE LEAKING THE WEEK BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND SUGGESTED I GO TO THE DEALER. THE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS AND DIPS. MY CAR IS ONLY AT 42K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11364219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING ON CITY STREETS ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE CAR EMITS POPPING AND SQUEAKS FROM THE SUSPENSION. WHEN GETTING IN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR PRODUCES A CLUNKING NOISE THAT EMANATES FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ALSO WHEN WINDING AND UNWINDING THE STEERING WHILE PARKING THE CAR OR MOVING SLOWLY, AGAIN THE VEHICLE EMITS CLUNKING NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION. TODAY IS 10/7/2020, I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR WHO WAS THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED REGULARLY AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED THAT THERE IS A TSB SINCE 2016 ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE AND WILL COST $600 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11363263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT CV AXLE COMPLETELY SNAPPED IN HALF. STILL NOT SURE WHAT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY OCCURED BEING THERE IS NO ACCIDENT REPORT ON THIS VEHICLE. PERHAPS THE PART WAS CORRODED OR FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #11354377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO MULTIPLE MAZDA DEALERS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH COMPLAINTS OF SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH IT STRUCTURALLY, SPECIFICALLY IN THE SUSPENSION, DRIVELINE, ETC. EVERY TIME I PLEAD WITH THEM THAT I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I TRULY FEEL THAT I MIGHT DIE IN IT DUE TO ITS DEFECTS, BUT EVERY TIME I AM FORCED BACK INTO IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERN AND THAT THE CAR HAS NOTHING WRONG. I'VE CAUGHT FREEMAN MAZDA OF IRVING FALSIFYING THEIR INTERNAL WORK ORDERS AND GIVING ME ONES SHOWING THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MY BATTERY DIED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THEY GAVE ME A TEST STRIP THAT STATED MY BATTERY NEEDED A CHARGE, BUT I GOT A GLIMPSE OF THEIR COPY WHICH STATED THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE DEFECTS THAT EXIST WITH MY VEHICLE. ON THE SMOOTHEST ROADS IN DFW AT LOW SPEEDS MY CAR IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH, BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, AND IT TRULY FEELS LIKE MY AXLES ARE NOT ROTATING IN SYNC THAT RESULTS IN SEVERE VIBRATIONS, SHUDDERING, AND THE FEELING THAT MY AXLES WILL BREAK OR THAT A WHEEL WILL COME OFF AT THE VERY LEAST. I'VE HAD SO MANY PANIC ATTACKS, SUFFERED AN AMOUNT OF MENTAL ANGUISH I CAN'T BEGIN TO QUANTIFY, LOST WAGES, ALMOST LOST MY JOB, QUESTIONED MY OWN SANITY FROM BEING TOLD ALMOST TWO DOZEN TIMES THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I NEED HELP, I REALLY AM BEGGING. THEY ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECTS MY CAR HAS AND WRITING MY SAFETY OFF LIKE MY LIFE DOES NOT MATTER. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED, HURT SOMEONE ELSE, OR DIE IN THIS CAR BECAUSE I FEEL AN ACCIDENT IS IMPENDING. I'VE BEEN SO SCARED FOR MY LIFE IN THIS CAR THAT I'VE SPENT OVER $2K ON RENTAL CARS BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO DIE AND MAZDA HAS JUST LEFT ME HANGING WITH NO REGARD FOR MY SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #11321363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DURING INITIAL MOVEMENT OF VEHICLE AFTER STARTING, SUSPENSION MAKES SQUEAKING NOISE, SPECIALLY WHEN WHEELS ARE TURNED COMPLETELY LEFT OR RIGHT. AND YOU CAN HEAR THE RUBBING SQUEAKY NOISE MORE WHEN GOING ON BUMP WITH WHEELS TURN. NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING AND WARMED UP. MORE THAN LIKELY UPPER SUSPENSION STRUT BEARING GOING BAD PREMATURELY. THIS CAUSES WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #11320884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES FEATHER OR CUP IN LESS THAN 25000 MILES DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL FACTORY CAMBER TIRE MANUFACTURERS DO NOT RECOMMEND AGGRESSIVE CAMBER AND WILL NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE FAILURE. MAZDA AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS KNOW THAT THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR FASTER SINCE THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. THE FEATHERING DRASTICALLY AFFECT HANDLING ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER. TIRE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD STATE THE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE CAMBER FOR THEIR TIRES AND MANUFACTURERS SHOULD CHOOSE APPROPRIATELY DESIGN TIRES FOR THIS APPLICATION. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT HAPPENS WITH FACTORY RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT SPECS. THE AGGRESSIVE CAMBER IMPROVES HANDLING BUT TIRES ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. IF THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT BACK THE TIRE FOR THIS APPLICATION THEN THE CAR MANUFACTURER HAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED THE SUSPENSION FOR PASSENGER CARS. THIS IS THE 3S MODEL WITH ONLY 135000 MILES AND 5TH SET OF TIRES AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11173140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR SHOCKS HAVE AN UPPER ATTACHMENT THAT IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM. AFTER ONLY 49000 MILES THE SHOCK MOUNT CORRODED AND BROKE. IT ALSO CAUSED THE SHOCK ROD TO BEND.
NHTSA complaint #11151770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.