2008 Mazda MAZDA3 lights problems

Filed Jul 25, 2018 · Lights · 163,000 miles · CT

I have had issues with the front and rear lights. Discovered that the socket to the headlight on the drivers side was melted when I went to replace the bulb. After replacing the socket the light worked only intermittently. There seemed to be a poor connection and I would have to adjust the wiring leading to the bulb until I got a good connection. This connection was easily lost hitting bumps in the road. Tried another replacement socket and this one works much better. Also discovered a melted socket on the passenger side brake light along with a melted light housing. Despite the light not working it was extremely hot when I went to remove it. While the driver's side brake light is currently working, it too seems to be over heating. The socket is cracked in two places and the light housing is also melted.

Filed Jun 27, 2018 · Lights · FL

The taillights internal red housing is melting on both driver and passenger sides and making a safety issue for visibility. This internal red housing or fixture surrounds the brake/light bulb. This is a hatchback and I have seen other mazda 3 hatches with the same issue. Also everyone is having this issue even other mazdas in this year range that I have seen/read online

Filed Mar 16, 2018 · Lights · HI

2008 mazda 3. Consumer writes in regards to defective rear brake lights. *ld the consumer stated the red film melted due to the light due to the light bulb heat. That manufacturer was notified.

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 7, 2016 · Lights · 110,000 miles · VA

Tail-lights overheat causing the taillights to go out and melting sockets and red lenses. Replaced socket assemblies (oem) and bulbs (oem), then had to replace lens assemblies because white light comes out instead of red. About 3-year later the problem is recurring (taillight out intermittently, socket melted, and sense starting to melt.)

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

On my mazda3 I have noticed that driving at night has become more difficult due the head lights were not shining bright enough. I noticed now during the day time that the head light clear covers are corroded. It looks like there is condensation inside the head light cover housing and it has corroded the light covers. It reduces visibility that can cause dangerous conditions at night. I;m afraid I could hit something or someone not being able to fully see them.

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 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 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 Aug 19, 2014 · Lights · NE

My tail lights have melted the red plastic cover severely in both lights. My friend driving behind me thought my reverse lights were on every time I braked. My lights were the original bulbs and not aftermarket. I did not notice the melting until august 2014.