Mazda MAZDASPEED3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
121 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
47,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 to 2013 model years. Data snapshot: . 110 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 121 complaints (25.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 34 | 28.1% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 31 |
| Seats | 22 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 12 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Structure | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
Power Train: 31; Seats: 22; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 12; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 12; Engine: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Structure: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 27 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 27; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2007: 21; 2008: 7; 2009: 6; 2010: 1; 2011: 7; 2012: 10; 2013: 11; 2014: 18; 2015: 13; 2016: 11; 2017: 11; 2018: 3; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10184449 · 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
I HAD READ REPORTS OF TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT FAILURE WITH MY NEW CAR THAT HAD RESULTED IN THE ENGINE FALLING OUT OF THE ENGINE BAY ONTO THE GROUND. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REASON THIS WAS HAPPENING WAS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT THAT HAD WORKED ITS WAY LOOSE UNTIL THE POINT OF BREAKING OFF. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL DEALERS ACROSS THE USA BY SEVERAL OWNERS AND NONE SEEMED TO SHOW ANY INTEREST IN CHECKING THE PROBLEM FOR FREE, SINCE NO OFFICIAL SERVICE NOTICE HAD COME FROM MAZDA AND THEY WOULD NOT BE PAID FOR THE L…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184762 · 2007-03-11 (March 11, 2007)
I HAVE HEARD VIA MAZDA3FORUMS.COM THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE DRIVERS SIDE TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND I DECIDED TO CHECK MY OWN SINCE I HAVE WORKED ON CARS FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS...AND I DO NOT TRUST DEALER SERVICE. I ATTACHED A TORQUE WRENCH TO THE BOLT AND PROCEEDED TO GET ABOUT 1/3 TO 1/2 A TURN OUT OF THE BOLT WITH ABOUT 50 FT/LBS AS MY STARTING POINT. I THEN REMOVED THE BOLT, COVERED IN RED LOCATED AND REINSTALLED, TORQUING THE BOLT TO 90 FT/LBS. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND OWNERS OF THIS NEW CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE TO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10184762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189078 · 2007-04-27 (April 27, 2007)
I DID MAJOR RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. MOST OF THE INFO I USED WAS FOUND HERE: HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=68975.0;ALL. I STARTED READING HERE JUST FOR FUN AND DISCOVERED THAT I MAY HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ON MY HANDS. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT ON MY 2007 MAZDASPEED 3 LOOSENED AT 18-20 FT-LBS OF TORQUE!! THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. NO LESS THAN 5 PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS BOLT FAIL AND THEIR ENGINE HAS FALLEN ONTO THE FRAME OF THE CAR!! THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. MANY OTHERS HAVE FOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10376538 · 2011-01-13 (January 13, 2011)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212489 · 2007-12-21 (December 21, 2007)
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. …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261307 · 2009-03-09 (March 9, 2009)
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 AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184612 · 2007-03-09 (March 9, 2007)
THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR MOUNT BOLT COMING LOOSE ON MAZDA SPEED3S. I HAD VISUALLY CHECKED MINE FROM THE BOTTOM SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, AND IT LOOKED OKAY, BUT TODAY I DECIDED TO PHYSICALLY CHECK IT. I PUT THE FRONT ON RAMPS AND REMOVED THE BATTERY AND BOX. I GOT UNDERNEATH AND REMOVED THE UNDER TRAY, BUT COULDN'T LOCATE THE BOTTOM OF THE BOLT (OR SO I THOUGHT). THEN I PUT THE JACK UNDER THE TRANSAXLE AND JACKED UP A BIT UNTIL THE CAR STARTED TO LIFT. I DIDN'T SEE THE HEAD OF THE BOLT POP UP, SO I THOUGHT IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189261 · 2007-04-30 (April 30, 2007)
MY VEHICLE LOST ITS ENGINE OFF THE MOTOR MOUNTS! THE CAR IS A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA SPEED 3 WITH 6260 MILES ON IT. DURING DOWN SHIFTING FOR A TURN I HEEL-TOED, PREPARING FOR THE NEXT GEAR AND A RIGHT TURN, COASTING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. DURING THIS ROUTINE ACTION THERE WAS A HUGE CRASHING, METALLIC SOUND THAT CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. THEN I FELT A MASSIVE PULL ON THE CAR, AND A HEAVY GRINDING, POPPING, AND CLANKING SOUND. I COULD BEST DESCRIBE IT AS IF A GORILLA HAD JUMPED INSIDE OF THE HOOD, AND STARTED ATTACKING THE CAR, FROM WITHIN. …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274790 · 2009-06-24 (June 24, 2009)
THE ISSUE FIRST BEGUN (05/04/09) WHEN THE ENGINE MISSED FIRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY, WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO FEEL AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS APPARENT. THERE WAS ALSO VIBRATION FROM THAT NOISE THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE PEDALS OF THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHICH WAS SIERRA MAZDA OF MONROVIA, CA, AND I EXPLAIN THE WHOLE SITUATION, THEY ONLY LOOKED AT THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15MINS AND THEN SAID IT WAS A CLUTCH RELATED ISSUE THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. …
Owner-reported narrative. 27,769 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452530 · 2012-03-21 (March 21, 2012)
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SOMETHING IN THE TURBO EXPLODED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL AND A LOSS OF POWER IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 128,125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10899326 · 2016-08-29 (August 29, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA SPEED 3. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE TWO PIECES OF METAL SCRAPING AGAINST EACH OTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK INTERNAL BAFFLE WAS DETACHED AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD SPARK A FLAME INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10899326 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1