2008 Mazda MAZDA3 suspension problems

Filed Jul 23, 2022 · Suspension · TX

Drivers side lower control arm failed at the lower ball joint mounting hole, allowing the ball joint to separate from the arm. All vehicle steering and control was lost due to the failure. This failure: 1. Has extreme danger for traffic fatalities. 2. Suggests substandard materials, design, or manufacturing. Control arm manufacturer: DLZ Sold by: partsgoing Vendor: Amazon.com

Filed Oct 7, 2014 · Suspension · 48,000 miles · CA

Vibration at 55-63 MPH. Tires wearing on inside in diagonal pattern on front. Worn completely to the core. Third set of tires.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · AL

Like other mazda 3 owners, my complaint concerns the rear tire camber. I noticed this condition after the 2nd set of tires. I didn't think that much of it during the first set of tires as the tires lasted for apprx 50k miles. But the 2nd set started to vibrate and rumble loudly after about 12k miles. I had them aligned and rotated but the noise and wear became worse. I purchased a 3rd set and again had the wheels aligned and the set lasted for about 30k miles. But I must state that the vibration and noise was unbearable, at this point. I finally found a mechanic that understood the problem. The rear control arms were fixed (did not have an adjustment). The only way to correct the problem was to replace the control arms (with an adjustable set). The car now rides smooth and quiet. My question and complaint...mazda must have known about the problem, otherwise the replacement parts would probably be the same as the original, nonadjustable. So why, didn't mazda offer assistance? The repair cost me over $625, not including the prematurely worn tires. I was very pleased with the car until this occurred. Now I question mazda's integrity and may never purchase another one.

Filed Oct 9, 2012 · Acceleration, Suspension · 25,000 miles · NC

Since I have purchased my vehicle I have to get the alignment done as often as I get the oil change done. When you are going over 45 MPH the steering wheel shakes like you are driving a 4 x 4. There is also a horrible roaring once you get to 45 MPH. The roaring and shaking goes away right after I have my car aligned, but, after a couple of weeks it starts coming back. I have changed the type of tires that I put on my car thinking it may help, but, it does not seem to be any different with the different type of tires I have put on my car.

Filed Oct 14, 2011 · Engine, Suspension · 45,000 miles · NY

Engine mounts failed. Noticed vibration in the cabin when the car was in drive. There was no noticed vibration when the car was idling. When the engine was in drive, with the hood popped, the engine was noticeably pitching forward and returning to it's default position when the gas was released. I checked recalls and there were none shown, but there were many complaints about this on the internet. Local mechanic also stated that this is a known.

Filed Feb 1, 2011 · Suspension · CO

Rear camber on left wheel is off -2.7. Local shop says that this is too much and needs to be replaced by installing an adjustable arm since the stock parts have no adjustment. Local shop says there are no signs of any impact such as a hard hit on something or curb strike. Mazda dealerships say 99.9 percent of the time this is because of a curb strike and it would not be covered under warranty. I became frustrated and suspicious after reading many similar complaints online. I also had to replace stock tires after 19k miles despite checking tire pressure, rotating them, etc. I thought then maybe it was due to poor quality tires but now suspect it is mazda's negative camber issue.

Filed Jan 11, 2011 · Suspension · FL

I own a mazda 3 5 door hatchback. I love the car. I do have an issue with the rear camber of the car. I had to put a new set of tires on the car after 24,000 miles. I rotated my tires every other oil change and the road noise was unbearable because the rear camber is too extreme and wears the inner treads too fast.so when you rotate the rear tires to the front they make very loud noise. I put a new set of tires on at 24,000 miles at the dealer and when I rotated them at 27,000 miles I have extreme road noise again. The dealership said the only way to fix the rear camber issue is to purchase a camber kit. I shouldn't have to pay for a factory defect. I've read on the forums and most other mazda 3 owners are having the same issues with rear tires wearing down too fast. Please fix my problem. This could be a safety issue as well, being that the tires wear down very fast.

Filed Oct 25, 2010 · Steering, Suspension · 19,800 miles · CT · crash

Power steering failed on 2008 mazda 3 causing a crash. Mazda has acknowledged the problem on the vehicle in it's letter to mazda 3 owners but stated it had no parts to repair the defect. While still waiting for an official recall notice from mazda, the power steering on our car failed on a busy city street causing the driver loose control of the vehicle which resulted in a crash.

Filed Jul 6, 2010 · Suspension · IL

After each tire rotation, ~every 10,000 miles, tire noise becomes progressively worse. At 47,000 miles, mechanic states that tires are worn unevenly, due to alignment issues.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Suspension · 23,700 miles · DC

2008 mazda3, alignment within manufacturer specs, but there is uneven wear on the rear driverside tire. As generally a tire as 4 parts of tread, the 3 outer treads are exactly the same side and the 1 inner tread is excessively worn. There is no angled wear on the tire toward the excessive wear, 3 high treads and 1 low tread. Mazda apparently has a rear camber defect on 2008 models which they are unable to fix.