2008 Mazda MAZDA3 electrical problems

Filed Apr 3, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 66,400 miles · DC

This vehicle has had 3 repeated major service repair attempts related to the TCM, PCM at light, check engine/transmission light trying to resolve this issue permanently. This vehicle was in motion and stationary on a city street when experiencing all of these problems. This vehicle has only approximately 68,000 miles. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed by mazda or buy back this vehicle. No one should have to be faced with these kinds of concerns. These systemic issues has not been favorable in my view and will having a major determing effect in future car purchase. Brand loyalty. [blah, blah, blah...] 4-3-2019 at 9:27am

Filed Dec 4, 2018 · Acceleration, Electrical · 137,750 miles · FL

Since the course of about a year, I have experienced traumatic moments while driving my vehicle pertaining to it's electrical/transmission functionality. When driving the vehicle at normal speeds (ex. 50mph) the mazda would buckle, rev abnormally, all while my gear indicator would flicker. This would happen after about 10 minutes of driving and continue on for the remainder of the drive about every 20 minute interval. This is quite unsafe, and the repairs that multiple mechanics including mazda themselves suggested to repair the issue did not accomplish anything unfortunately. Repairmen flushed and replaced the automatic transmission fluid, replaced my output speed sensor, changed out my shift solenoids, gear shifter, and even replaced my entire PCM. I have not only taken pictures and videos of these horrid incidences, but there seems to be other instances of people having this identical issue with their mazda's as well. If there is a way to show my video examples for study, then I will gladly send them.

Filed Sep 8, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 79,000 miles · CA

At light and check engine light come on. While driving on freeway hard shifts automatically from 5th gear down to a harsh 3rd gear. Cannot get at light to shut off, replaced solinoids, TCM, PCM and still cannot locate the issue. Car will not go past 3rd gear. Car is still under 80k miles.

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 37,000 miles · FL

A few years ago upon washing my car I noticed my tail lights looked a bit odd so I took a closer look and realized they had melted to the point they were deformed and as a result the light emitted is far less than when in tact. I took the car to the dealership and they replaced them under warranty even though my warranty expired and they assured me it was a fluke issue and that it would never happen again. Well last weekend I go to place groceries in my trunk and saw they looked melted again. After a closer look they had indeed melted again, but this time even worse that before and they emit even less light than the first time around. After a little research it's become apparent this is a wide spread issue for a multitude of mazda models. Online forums are full of people with the same issue both on the mazda 3 and a wide array of different mazda models. The mazda, 5 and even the cx9 all have this very issue and almost everyone stated the light output was very subdued and in a few cases no light at all or the housing melted so badly it broke the light completely and they were not able to change out the bulb, and rather, had to purchase brand new taillights. I just called mazda USA customer service and they told me that since my car is so far out of warranty there was nothing they could do, so I explained it's not a cosmetic or aesthetic issue, but a safety issue and though the rep agreed it was a widespread issue, even among current models being sold, he insisted that since my car is out of warranty it's not their problem!!! How can so many units from so many models have this same safety issue and it not have been recalled???!?!?!?!? This is an outrage and eventually it will end in catastrophe and hopefully it's not with me! Please feel free to contact me if necessary. I'd be glad to help. Mazda service is pretty terrible as it is but this is insane!

Filed May 4, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 70,000 miles · FL

My left rear tail red tail light went out. I tried to change it but it has melted to the wires and the light housing. I am unable to change it. I am afraid this melting is a dangerous issue because it's a possible fire hazard. I searched the internet and have found many other mazda owners with this same issue. Others even have both sides melting the rear lights. I cannot even change the bulb now. This can be a danger because I cannot use my left tail light or left rear signal. This could cause someone to crash into me not knowing I am slowing down for a left turn.

Filed Jul 9, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 180,000 miles · AZ

I was driving when suddenly and without notice I lost all control over the engine. Pressing the accelerator down did not change the engine speed. The engine would only idle. The car was towed to the dealer who determined that a bad connection occurred between the wiring and the ?PCM? Module. If this had occurred while passing or while executing a left turn, a serious or even fatal accident could have occurred. Ma 10/22/2015

Filed May 26, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · MI

Ever since I brought this car im having issues with my headlamps. I had replaced headlight bulbs atleast 15 times. Lamps will last roughly 3 to 6 months and then burnout. I complained many times to the dealership and they have no answer to the root cause other than simply changing the bulbs. I suspect there might be an issue in wiring. Many 2008 mazda 3 owners are complaining similar issues on-line and websites.

Filed Apr 14, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 82,360 miles · OH

On 04/01/2015 while driving in the city at about 25 MPH the transmission went from 4 to 1, and the car jerked really hard. At light and check engine light came on. After pulling over and turning the car off and waiting a couple of minutes, at light went away, check engine light was still on. The same happened in two days, then in 5 days while driving on a freeway with speed 65 MPH - the car jerked and bucked at full speed, at light and check engine light on, transmission went from 5 to 1 to 3, tachometer went from 2500 RPM to over 4000 RPM - thankfully I did not hit anyone and I wasn't hit by other cars when that happened (I was very scared!). I got the car towed to the dealership, and after two days of diagnostics the answer - transmission control module (TCM) is bad. I did research online - very common problem with cars of this make, model and year. Dealer can not fix it because TCM is on nationwide back order! I have no car for a week now and it could be a month when the part will be available. This kind of problem worth of a recall due to the safety concerns and the cost of the replacement - over $1000 including diagnostics.

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 80,000 miles · DE

Tail/brake light lenses melted. Original parts,replaced the whole tail light assembly and bulbs in june 2014 and I noticed in august 2014 the tail light on the drivers side was out. The lenses melted again, the bulbs were 7443 .researched on the internet and found this problem on numerous posts mainly with the mazda 3 hatchback which is what I have. Called the local mazda dealer and they said they never heard of the problem. Sounds like a fire hazard. Have you had any other complaints about this?

Filed Mar 28, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 68,606 miles · MI

In the past month the radio, lights, the cluster, all shut down and restart as driving. Last night as driving on telegraph rd, 45 MPH, the power steering suddenly stopped working, I could not control the car, and another vehicle behind me almost hit me, as I was switching in neutral, and back in drive. All of the sudden regain control and was able to turn right into a parking lot. I remember having this issue back in jan. Of 2011, and there was a recall for it, that I have had fixed. The pattern is that I bought the vehicle in 2008, 3 years later - in 2011 the recall took care of the defective part, and now, 3 years after the replacement the same issue arise. This is very dangerous, can cause accidents, as is happens as driving unexpectedly.