FaultScore

FaultScore report

2007 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 problems

Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 2007 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 with NHTSA between 2007 and 2016. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.

C

FaultScore 50/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda MAZDASPEED3.

How this is worked out

The numbers

48

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

11,700 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

79%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 54 vs 50 Severity 11 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 54
Against the median year of the Mazda MAZDASPEED3. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 11
2.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
79% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2007 compares with every other Mazda MAZDASPEED3

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2007 Mazda MAZDASPEED3

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Median failure at 11,545 miles

Engine & Cooling 15 31.3%

Median failure at 11,700 miles

Tires 4 8.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 11,890 mi

Suspension 4 8.3%

Median failure at 12,450 miles

Body & Structure 3 6.3%

Median failure at 4,280 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 2.1%
Lights 1 2.1%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.1%

Median failure at 138,120 miles

Brakes 1 2.1%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Steering 1 2.1%

Median failure at 8,780 miles

Exactly what failed

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.

Manual Transmission 11 39.3%
Engine 9 32.1%
Rear 2 7.1%
Frame AND Members 2 7.1%
Driveline 1 3.6%
Sidewall 1 3.6%
Coil Springs 1 3.6%
Driveshaft 1 3.6%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 20 46.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 9 20.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 6 14.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 11.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 4.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 2.3%

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.

Mar 2007 peak 11 Aug 2016

NHTSA investigations into the 2007 Mazda MAZDASPEED3

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.

PE07015 Opened 13 Mar 2007 Closed 13 Jul 2007 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

FAILURE OF ENGINE/TRANSMISSION MOUNT

ON JULY 2, 2007 MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA REGARDING THE LEFT HAND SIDE (LHS) ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS IN APPROXIMATELY 5,700 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE 26, 2006 THROUGH MAY 19, 2007 (MAZDA RECALL 4607F, NHTSA RECALL 07V-295).ACCORDING TO MAZDA, THE LHS ENGINE MOUNT COULD LOOSEN UNDER REPEATED LOADS PRODUCED DURING RAPID ACCELERATIONS.LOOSE BOLTS COULD PULL OUT OR BREAK, ALLOWING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO DROP ON THE LEFT SIDE.WHEN THE ENGINE DROPS, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY BECOME DETACHED AND DISABLE THE VEHICLE.MAZDA...

Recalls on the 2007 Mazda MAZDASPEED3

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.

United States — NHTSA

07V295000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NO. 4 LEFT SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT MAY LOOSEN IF A SUDDEN RAPID ACCELERATION IS REPEATEDLY PERFORMED.

Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUOUSLY DRIVEN UNDER SUCH CONDITION, THE NO. 4 ENGINE MOUNT BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND PULL OUT OR BREAK, ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE OUT OF POSITION. IN EXTREME CASES, THE DRIVE SHAFT MAY BECOME DETACHED. IF THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND WILL COME TO A STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

07V052000

EQUIPMENT

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR MAT AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Risk: IN THIS SITUATION IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MIGHT GET STUCK BEHIND THE FLOOR MAT, WHICH MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM PROPERLY DECELERATING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2007235 870 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles, the No. 4 engine mount (left side) bolt may loosen as a result of repeated sudden/rapid acceleration. The engine mount bolt may pull out or break, allowing the transmission to be out of position. In extreme cases, the driveshaft may become detached, causing the vehicle to lose propulsion and therefore increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the No. 4 engine mount bolt. In addition, the No. 4 engine mount rubber and bracket will be inspected and replaced, if necessary.

Recall 2007048 250 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles, the Mazda all-weather floor mats, sold as over-the-counter accessories, could interfere with the accelerator pedal. The pedal may get stuck behind the floor mat, which would prevent the vehicle from properly decelerating when the accelerator is released, leading to increased stopping distance. Correction: Owners will be notified of the defect and instructed to return the floor mats to their dealer. When modified all-weather floor mats are available, they will be shipped directly to vehicle owners.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 90,000 miles 1, 00 Crash

TIRES

I WAS USING A MICHELIN GREEN X TIRE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AN MILEAGE OF 50000. IN A 45 DEGREE CURVE SUDDENLY MY TAIL WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND I RAN INTO THE MIDDLE SEPARATE OF ROAD,CAUSED A LOT OF WRECKAGE . I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF LOW REAR TIRE GRIP TO THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10549666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 138,120 miles Moreno Valley, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY JERKED AND DROPPED INTO 3RD GEAR FROM 5TH GEAR.IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES MY A.T. LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW MY CAR IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR. I HAVE HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND MY SPEED SENSOR REPLACED BUT IM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH IT I DONT LIKE TO TAKE MY KIDS IN MY CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THAT DOES OCCUR I AM SCARED THAT I AM GOING TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A USED DEALERSHIP IN FONTANA CA ON APRIL 19 2016 THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR STARTED TO TRIP UP FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR. THE A.T LIGHT CAME ON AND SINCE THEN IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE I CALLED THE GENTLEMAN WHO SOLD ME THE CAR AND TOLD HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE CAR HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN AND HAVE THE FLUIDS FLUSHED AND IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A SENSOR . SO I TOOK IT IN AND THE DROVE FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE CAR STARTED TO GO FROM 5TH GEAR TO 3RD GEAR VERY VIOLENTLY SO I REPLACED THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR AND IT STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION FILTER REPLACED AND MY CAR IS STILL GOING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 3RD GEAR ERATICALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10893328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Harbor City, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TAIL LIGHT DOME ASSEMBLY IS MELTED BY THE BULB FROM BOTH SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10649006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,200 miles Augusta, MI

POWER TRAIN

ON SATURDAY 19 JULY 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 131, 18 MILES SOUTH OF GRAND RAPIDS, MI WHEN WITHOUT NOTICE THE ENGINE'S NUMBER 1 CYLINDER BLOW A HOLE THROUGH THE CASTING AND DAMAGING THE INNER AXLE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING. WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW, IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME, THE DRIVER, TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR SWERVED INTO AN ADJACENT LANE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION AND HAD JUST PASSED THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. ALL OF THE REGULAR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLES MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. EACH SERVICING THAT WAS COMPLETED WAS DOCUMENTED IN MY OWN PERSONAL RECORDS FOR REFERENCE. THIS BEING SAID, THIS VEHICLE CAUSED A MAJOR SAFETY INCIDENT WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE OR EVEN A FATALITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THESE MAZDA 2.3 LITER TURBO MRZ ENGINES BLOWING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10625871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,200 miles Augusta, MI

ENGINE

ON SATURDAY 19 JULY 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 131, 18 MILES SOUTH OF GRAND RAPIDS, MI WHEN WITHOUT NOTICE THE ENGINE'S NUMBER 1 CYLINDER BLOW A HOLE THROUGH THE CASTING AND DAMAGING THE INNER AXLE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING. WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW, IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME, THE DRIVER, TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR SWERVED INTO AN ADJACENT LANE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION AND HAD JUST PASSED THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. ALL OF THE REGULAR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLES MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. EACH SERVICING THAT WAS COMPLETED WAS DOCUMENTED IN MY OWN PERSONAL RECORDS FOR REFERENCE. THIS BEING SAID, THIS VEHICLE CAUSED A MAJOR SAFETY INCIDENT WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE OR EVEN A FATALITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THESE MAZDA 2.3 LITER TURBO MRZ ENGINES BLOWING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10625871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,200 miles Augusta, MI

POWER TRAIN

ON SATURDAY 19 JULY 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 131, 18 MILES SOUTH OF GRAND RAPIDS, MI WHEN WITHOUT NOTICE THE ENGINE'S NUMBER 1 CYLINDER BLOW A HOLE THROUGH THE CASTING AND DAMAGING THE INNER AXLE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING. WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW, IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME, THE DRIVER, TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR SWERVED INTO AN ADJACENT LANE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION AND HAD JUST PASSED THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. ALL OF THE REGULAR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLES MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. EACH SERVICING THAT WAS COMPLETED WAS DOCUMENTED IN MY OWN PERSONAL RECORDS FOR REFERENCE. THIS BEING SAID, THIS VEHICLE CAUSED A MAJOR SAFETY INCIDENT WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE OR EVEN A FATALITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THESE MAZDA 2.3 LITER TURBO MRZ ENGINES BLOWING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10621872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,200 miles Augusta, MI

ENGINE

ON SATURDAY 19 JULY 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 131, 18 MILES SOUTH OF GRAND RAPIDS, MI WHEN WITHOUT NOTICE THE ENGINE'S NUMBER 1 CYLINDER BLOW A HOLE THROUGH THE CASTING AND DAMAGING THE INNER AXLE SHAFT CARRIER BEARING. WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW, IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME, THE DRIVER, TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR SWERVED INTO AN ADJACENT LANE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION AND HAD JUST PASSED THE VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. ALL OF THE REGULAR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLES MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. EACH SERVICING THAT WAS COMPLETED WAS DOCUMENTED IN MY OWN PERSONAL RECORDS FOR REFERENCE. THIS BEING SAID, THIS VEHICLE CAUSED A MAJOR SAFETY INCIDENT WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE OR EVEN A FATALITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF THESE MAZDA 2.3 LITER TURBO MRZ ENGINES BLOWING UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THERE IS A MAJOR DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10621872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles 1, 00 Crash

TIRES

I WAS USING A MICHELIN GREEN X TIRE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AN MILEAGE OF 50000. IN A 45 DEGREE CURVE SUDDENLY MY TAIL WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND I RAN INTO THE MIDDLE SEPARATE OF ROAD,CAUSED A LOT OF WRECKAGE . I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF LOW REAR TIRE GRIP TO THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10549666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles EL Tajon, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA SPEED3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT OIL PRESSURE MODULE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint #10532479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Greenvale, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA, MAZDASPEED3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: 10023313 (SUSPENSION: FRONT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA complaint #10406246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,600 miles Port Coquitlam, 00

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I OWN A 2007 MAZDASPEED 3, PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN , LANGLEY BC., IN JUNE 2008. IT WAS A US IMPORTED CAR ( BY THE DEALER) AND I WAS TOLD I INHERITED THE BALANCE OF THE WARRANTY. IT WAS BUILT IN MAY 2007, AND HAD APPROX 22,646 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON FRIDAY 27 MAY AT ABOUT 7 AM, I HAD JUST ACCELERATED FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN AN ENGINE MOUNT SUDDENLY FAILED, PITCHING THE COMPLETE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FORWARD AND DOWN ONTO THE ROAD , WITH DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. I WAS REALLY FORTUNATE TO BE TRAVELING QUITE SLOWLY ( ABOUT 20 MPH) AS THE 'CV' JOINT DISINTEGRATED AND THE CAR SLEWED ALARMINGLY TOWARDS THE KERB. I DID NOT HAVE MUCH DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, BUT MANAGED TO STEER THE CAR TOWARDS THE KERB WHERE IT (RAPIDLY ) CAME TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY, I WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY ENOUGH FOR THIS NOT TO BE SERIOUS ACCIDENT, BUT IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY, I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN HERE TODAY TO WRITE THIS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP ( AT MY EXPENSE ) WHERE A INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE #4 ENGINE MOUNT HAD FAILED, DROPPED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED THE 'CV' JOINT, IN THE PROCESS DAMAGING THE TURBO WASTEGATE VALVE. THEY CHECKED THE VIN AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INDEED BUILT MAY 2007, AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL TO CHANGE THE ENGINE MOUNT, ALSO IN 2007 ( BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR). THIS CHANGE WAS PRESUMABLY DONE AT A US DEALER AS IT DID NOT COME TO THE IN BC DEALER UNTIL JUST BEFORE I PURCHASED IT IN 2008. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO OVERT WARNING SIGNS- THE ONLY THING WAS THE DAY BEFORE WHEN I NOTICED A FAINT VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT , WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A PIPE CLAMP OR SOMETHING VIBRATING. I STOPPED AND MADE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BAY AND UNDERNEATH , BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. BANG AS IT LET GO. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED FREE UNDER MAZDA WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10405516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Charlotte, NC

PARKING BRAKE

LIFTED PARKING BRAKE LEVER TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE, AND IT CAME UP WAY FURTHER THAN NORMAL WITHOUT OFFERING THE NORMAL RESISTANCE. AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS AT RESETTING THE BRAKE, IT ENGAGED NORMALLY. MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AGAIN LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10376538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,730 miles Champaign, IL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ON APRIL 28, 2009 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I SHIFTED GEARS FROM SECOND INTO THIRD I HEARD A BIG THUNK FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE BODY BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY BROKEN OR LOOSE PARTS. OCCASIONALLY IN THE PAST WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE GEAR WOULD SLIP AND MOVE INTO NEUTRAL, AND I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE RELATED TO THAT SEEMINGLY MINOR PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AS I STARTED TO DRIVE I NOTICED THE GEARS WERE VERY HARD TO CHANGE AND CLUTCH WAS NOT AS SMOOTH AS IT USED TO BE. EARLY THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE CAR TO O'BRIEN AUTO PARK OF URBANA. THIS BUSINESS IS LOCATED AT 1111 O'BRIEN DRIVE, URBANA, IL 61802 (TELEPHONE 217-367-1222). I SPOKE TO JOSH BERBAUM, THE SERVICE CONSULTANT FOR MAZDA O'BRIEN, AND EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT HAPPENED. ON MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009 AND TOLD ME THAT THE CLUTCH HAS FAILED AND THE FLYWHEEL HAD HOT SPOTS AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. HE APOLOGIZED AND SAID THIS IS 'WEAR AND TEAR' AND MAZDA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY OR THE POWERTRAIN LIMITED WARRANTY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY BIG JOB AND WOULD COST OVER $1575 IN PARTS AND $1045 IN LABOR AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS TO FIX THE CAR. AFTER O'BRIEN KEPT THE CAR FOR 10 BUSINESS DAYS I PAID $2352.99 TO GET MY CAR AND MAZDA DECLINED MY CLAIM. I HAVE TAKEN THE ISSUE WITH MY CREDIT CARD AND LET WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10277580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,700 miles Netcong, NJ

POWER TRAIN

2007 MAZDASPEED3. DRIVING 25 MPH AND SUDDENLY HUGE LOAD SOUND UNDERHOOD FOLLOWED BY MUCH CLANKING AND KNOCKING AS I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR COULD NOT BE ROLLED. ENGINE DROPPED 2-3 INCHES AND DRIVER SIDE AXLE BROKE AND DANGLED FROM WHEEL. CAR WENT TO SHOP AND AXLE, CV JOINT, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION, FAN, AND A VARIETY OF SMALLER PARTS ALL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL IN SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10264029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,800 miles Peachtree City, GA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

I HAVE AN 2007 MAZDA MAZDASPEED3 BOUGHT IN MAY 2007. I HAD THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT REPLACED DURING AN ASSOCIATED RECALL IN AUGUST 2007. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT FAILED (JULY 2008). THE BOLT HAD BACKED OUT, AND SHEARED THROUGH THE LAST FEW THREADS. I HEARD THIS LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY CLUNK-CLUNK NOISES AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ON THE RIGHT LANE AT 30 MPH IN 3RD GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA (GA). THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEERS FROM MAZDA HAD A LOOK AT IT AND THE WHOLE MOUNT BRACKET AND THE BOLT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS I'VE BEEN HEARING A SLIGHT CLUNKING NOISE ESPECIALLY DURING SLOW TURNS, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON LAST MONDAY (03/02/09) TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY FOUND THAT THE STEERING RACK FLOW CONTROL VALVE WAS POPPING AT TIMES AND REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD ALSO ASKED THEM TO HAVE A LOOK AT MY MOUNTS, JUST TO BE SURE. I GOT MY CAR BACK ON THURSDAY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY MOUNTS WERE FINE. BUT ON FRIDAY (03/06/09) I STILL HAD THOSE CLUNKING SOUNDS ON SLOW TURNS AND WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS/BACKING UP. I ALSO NOTICED SOME ODD VIBRATIONS ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHILE GIVING GAS AND DURING IDLE. THE LAST TIME HAD THESE VIBRATIONS WERE JUST BEFORE THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED ON ME. SO I DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK INTO MY MOUNTS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CLOCK AND TRIP METERS WERE NOT RESET. IF THE DEALER HAD INSPECTED MY MOUNTS THEY WOULD'VE BEEN RESET WHEN THE BATTERY IS BEING REMOVED. THAT RAISED MY SUSPICIONS. I REMOVED THE BATTERY AND TRIED TURNING THE MOUNT BOLT. IT WAS I COULD TURN IT WITH JUST ONE HAND. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM WHAT TO DO. THE ASKED TO BRING THE CAR OVER AFTER TIGHTENING IT, OR GET IT TOWED IF I COULDN'T. I TIGHTENED THE BOLT AND IT TOOK ME ABOUT 6 TURNS TO FULLY TIGHTEN IT!!! THE BOLT WAS ALMOST OUT AND I CAUGHT IT BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAD OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAS RE TIGHTENED THE BOLT NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10261307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,800 miles Peachtree City, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I HAVE AN 2007 MAZDA MAZDASPEED3 BOUGHT IN MAY 2007. I HAD THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT REPLACED DURING AN ASSOCIATED RECALL IN AUGUST 2007. A FEW MONTHS LATER IT FAILED (JULY 2008). THE BOLT HAD BACKED OUT, AND SHEARED THROUGH THE LAST FEW THREADS. I HEARD THIS LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY CLUNK-CLUNK NOISES AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ON THE RIGHT LANE AT 30 MPH IN 3RD GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA (GA). THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINEERS FROM MAZDA HAD A LOOK AT IT AND THE WHOLE MOUNT BRACKET AND THE BOLT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BUT OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS I'VE BEEN HEARING A SLIGHT CLUNKING NOISE ESPECIALLY DURING SLOW TURNS, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON LAST MONDAY (03/02/09) TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY FOUND THAT THE STEERING RACK FLOW CONTROL VALVE WAS POPPING AT TIMES AND REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD ALSO ASKED THEM TO HAVE A LOOK AT MY MOUNTS, JUST TO BE SURE. I GOT MY CAR BACK ON THURSDAY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY MOUNTS WERE FINE. BUT ON FRIDAY (03/06/09) I STILL HAD THOSE CLUNKING SOUNDS ON SLOW TURNS AND WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS/BACKING UP. I ALSO NOTICED SOME ODD VIBRATIONS ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHILE GIVING GAS AND DURING IDLE. THE LAST TIME HAD THESE VIBRATIONS WERE JUST BEFORE THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED ON ME. SO I DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK INTO MY MOUNTS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CLOCK AND TRIP METERS WERE NOT RESET. IF THE DEALER HAD INSPECTED MY MOUNTS THEY WOULD'VE BEEN RESET WHEN THE BATTERY IS BEING REMOVED. THAT RAISED MY SUSPICIONS. I REMOVED THE BATTERY AND TRIED TURNING THE MOUNT BOLT. IT WAS I COULD TURN IT WITH JUST ONE HAND. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM WHAT TO DO. THE ASKED TO BRING THE CAR OVER AFTER TIGHTENING IT, OR GET IT TOWED IF I COULDN'T. I TIGHTENED THE BOLT AND IT TOOK ME ABOUT 6 TURNS TO FULLY TIGHTEN IT!!! THE BOLT WAS ALMOST OUT AND I CAUGHT IT BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAD OCCURRED. THE DEALER HAS RE TIGHTENED THE BOLT NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10261307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,478 miles Rosedale, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HAD MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNT RECALL DONE ON MY 2007 MAZDASPEED3 DONE AS SOON IT RELEASED IN 2007. FEB 2009 WITH 26000 MILES ON THE CAR THE MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNT BRACKET TORE APART WHILE DRIVING. AXLES, AND ALOT OF OTHER PARTS, DAMAGED. NEEDLES TO SAY THANK GOD I WAS ONLY DOING 5MPH WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. CAR WAS REPAIRED AT MAZDA DEALER, AND BEFORE I PICKED UP VEHICLE AFTER SUPPOSEDLY BEING FIXED, MOTOR/TRANSMISSION MOUNT FAILED AGAIN WHILE THE MAZDA TECH WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. MAZDA HAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THAT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ADDRESS PROPERLY. THEY REALLY NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED SERIOUSLY. NOT AN ACCEPTABLE PROBLEM ON ANY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10258514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,900 miles Portland, OR

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MAZDA SPEED 3 ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE, ENGINE FELL OUT OF B OTTOM OF CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10236548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,390 miles Oberlin, OH

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MY TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY POPS OUT OF SECOND GEAR WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS.

NHTSA complaint #10233220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Houston, TX

TIRES

I INSTALLED THE AFTERMARKET MAZDASPEED LOWERING SPRINGS ON MY MAZDASPEED3, CAREFULLY FOLLOWING THE SUPPLIED INSTRUCTIONS. THE INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRE REMOVING THE BUMP STOPS FROM THE STRUT MOUNTS. I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE, BUT I DID IT, AND LATER FOUND THAT MY RIGHT-FRONT TIRE TREAD SURFACE HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE TOP OF THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER. THE RESULT WAS DEEP CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES IN THE TIRE, AND THE PLASTIC FENDER LINER WAS COMPLETELY WORN AWAY IN ONE AREA. THIS IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD LEAD TO A TIRE BLOWOUT. AND YES, I AM CERTAIN THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS SHOW THE REMOVAL OF THE BUMP STOPS. I HAVE THE INSTRUCTIONS AND PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10224508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Houston, TX

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

I INSTALLED THE AFTERMARKET MAZDASPEED LOWERING SPRINGS ON MY MAZDASPEED3, CAREFULLY FOLLOWING THE SUPPLIED INSTRUCTIONS. THE INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRE REMOVING THE BUMP STOPS FROM THE STRUT MOUNTS. I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE, BUT I DID IT, AND LATER FOUND THAT MY RIGHT-FRONT TIRE TREAD SURFACE HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE TOP OF THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER. THE RESULT WAS DEEP CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES IN THE TIRE, AND THE PLASTIC FENDER LINER WAS COMPLETELY WORN AWAY IN ONE AREA. THIS IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD LEAD TO A TIRE BLOWOUT. AND YES, I AM CERTAIN THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS SHOW THE REMOVAL OF THE BUMP STOPS. I HAVE THE INSTRUCTIONS AND PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10224508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,811 miles Fullerton, CA

POWER TRAIN

AT 8,811 MILES THE NUMBER 4 ENGINE MOUNT (DRIVER'S SIDE TRANSAXLE TO FRAME) FAILED EVEN THOUGH RECALL 4607F HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED AT 826 MILES ~8 MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA complaint #10222709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,780 miles Acron, OH

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A FULL SKID AND STRUCK A CURB. FIVE MILES LATER, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY AND THE WHEEL TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FAILED STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS SELLING VEHICLES WITH SUMMER TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,780. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED FAILURE WARN ABOUT TO SUMMER RATED TIRES. UPDATED 01/18/08

NHTSA complaint #10212489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,780 miles Acron, OH

TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A FULL SKID AND STRUCK A CURB. FIVE MILES LATER, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING ABILITY AND THE WHEEL TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FAILED STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS SELLING VEHICLES WITH SUMMER TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,780. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED FAILURE WARN ABOUT TO SUMMER RATED TIRES. UPDATED 01/18/08

NHTSA complaint #10212489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,700 miles Fort Worth, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE WHEN HE SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. AS A RESULT, THE DRY SHAFT PULLED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND TORE THE CB AXLE BOOT. THE CONTACT INSTALLED AN INTAKE MANIFOLD PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V295000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,700.

NHTSA complaint #10210923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,900 miles Pittsburgh, PA

SUSPENSION:REAR

REAR WHEEL STABILIZER BOLT LOOSE AND DAMAGED. MAKES A "CLUNK" SOUND WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. BOLT IS LOOSE AND WILL COME OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10210062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.