2007 Mazda MAZDA3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
222 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
73,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 182 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 88 of 222 complaints (39.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 93 | 41.9% |
| Braking behavior | 36 | 16.2% |
| Engine operation | 20 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 8.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 88 |
| Air Bags | 28 |
| Engine | 22 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 |
Steering: 88; Air Bags: 28; Engine: 22; Electrical System: 18; Power Train: 12; Exterior Lighting: 10; Suspension: 9; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 32 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 34 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 32; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 17
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 40 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 12; 2008: 11; 2009: 14; 2010: 23; 2011: 14; 2012: 13; 2013: 14; 2014: 22; 2015: 20; 2016: 13; 2017: 17; 2018: 13; 2019: 15; 2020: 4; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 93 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 20 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10170807 · 2006-10-14 (October 14, 2006)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA3. THE AIR CONDITIONING VENT ABOVE THE PEDALS IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO WHERE ONE'S FOOT WILL GET CAUGHT ON IT WHEN TRYING TO MOVE ONE'S FOOT BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. THIS CREATES A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES BECAUSE HIS FOOT IS CAUGHT ON THE AIR VENT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172337 · 2006-11-01 (November 1, 2006)
2007 MAZDA3 WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL AND ONLY AIR BAG DEPLOYED WAS THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS AND SIDE AIR CURTAINS AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10172337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181432 · 2007-02-02 (February 2, 2007)
MAZDA SPEED3 2007 HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS, WITH ENGINE MOUNTING FAILURE IT SEEMS THE ENGINE MOUNT IS NOT BOLTED CORRECTLY OR THE BOLT ITSELF TO THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE , I BELIEVE MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS THREE INCIDENTS ,BUT HAS NOT ISSUE ANY RECALLS OR RECOMMENDATIONS , I PROVIDE A FORUM LINK MAZDA3FORUMS AS SOME PICTURE PROVIDED BY ACTUAL CONSUMERS WHO HAD THIS HAPPENED TO THEIR CARS. PLEASE HELPS US. HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=68463.0. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182531 · 2007-02-14 (February 14, 2007)
I HAVE SUSTAINED A PAINFUL ERGONOMIC INJURY TO MY RIGHT ACHILLES TENDON FROM THE POOR DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR/BRAKE AREA AND THE LIMITED SEAT ADJUSTMENT IN THIS CAR (2007 MAZDA SPEED 3). I HAVE TO ICE MY ANKLE EVERY NIGHT. WHEN DRIVING IT IS PAINFUL AND CAN BECOME NUMB, REDUCING MY ABILITY TO DO EMERGENCY BRAKING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE ISSUE STARTED IN EARLY JANUARY WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE CAR - NOW I HAVE 1300 ON THE CAR AND EXPERIENCE THIS EVERY DAY I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10183059 · 2007-02-20 (February 20, 2007)
ON 2/08/2007 MY NEWLY PURCHASED MAZDA 3 WAS RUNNING FOR 45 MINUTES AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE ENGINE RACED. ON 2/16/2007, THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN AND THE CAR SWITCHED FROM FIRST GEAR TO 5TH GEAR IN 1 SECOND WHILE THE ENGINE RACED. ON 2/19/2007, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP, NARROWLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE ENGINE RACED. THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE RACED AGAIN. EARLIER THAT SAME DAY, THE CAR CHANGED FROM FIRST GEAR TO FIFTH GEAR AND THEN TO SECOND GEAR WHILE MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. WHEN IT WAS CHECKED OUT BY THE MAZDA DEALERSH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10183059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187571 · 2007-04-11 (April 11, 2007)
2007 MAZDA 3 INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ARE VERY HARD TO READ IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT. THE SPEEDOMETER IS MY MAIN PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10187571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192511 · 2007-06-06 (June 6, 2007)
THIS IS A TOTALLY FICTITIOUS COMPLAINT THAT IS UNSUBSTANTIATED BY ANY FACT.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10194919 · 2007-06-28 (June 28, 2007)
2007 MAZDA 3 PARKED ON A MODERATE GRADE IN SECOND GEAR AND WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT 2 OTHER CARS. MAZDA WAS STILL IN GEAR WITH BRAKE ENGAGED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194919 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V374000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2010-08-12 (August 12, 2010)
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V494000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
NHTSA campaign record ↗