Brake pedal sinks to the ground d after abs is turned on due to hard braking or after hitting a dip
The worst 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering35
- Tires26
- Wheels19
- Brakes8
- Transmission6
- Airbags5
- Electrical5
- Fuel system5
- Lights5
- Body4
- Driver assistance4
- Suspension4
- Acceleration3
- Engine3
- Visibility2
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
Recalls 3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- Mazda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured from january 7, 2008, through november 28, 2008. The ground terminal of the windshield wiper motor may have been inadvertently bent during assembly. If this condition exists then over time the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may increase up to a point that the windshield wipers would not work.
- Risk
- The loss of wiper function in adverse weather could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the wiper motor free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before july 15, 2011. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 11V329000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 10V374000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- Mazda is recalling 7,100 my 2009 mazda3 vehicles equipped with dynamic stability control for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126, "electronic stability control system". The yaw rate measured after completion of the sine with dwell steering input exceeded the test standards.
- Risk
- Improper operation of the electronic stability control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and have the unit replaced free of charge. The recall began on july 14, 2009. Owners may contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 09V187000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
Defect investigations
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V‑374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
PE10021
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 227
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Description
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),...
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- Exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows
- When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing...
What 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that previously there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle and in the trunk. In addition, the contact stated that the odor was very strong, causing her to become light-headed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,212.
When driving and trying to negotiate a turn, or sometimes when going straight, the power assist steering simply fails (stops assisting the steering). I have to "muscle" the car off the roadway and either restart the engine or stop the car (off the road) straighten the steering wheel, restart the car, and the power assist is restored. This has happened five times in the last 9 months. So far there have been no accidents. The date velow is the most recent date of this failure.
For the past 9-10 months and on occasions, when I step on the brake pedal to either slow down or stop from a normal cruise speed, the engine rpm quickly jumps up to 2000 - 2500 rpm. I have to quickly brake harder and *place the auto transmission selector in NEUTRAL to fully stop the car from lunging forward*. The date below is the most recent date.
Brake lights are causing the top of the tail light to melt on the housing.
The fuel pump lock ring on my 2009 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 has failed which is causing two engine codes: P0442 and P0455. In addition there is a strong smell of gasoline fumes around the rear of the car after driving and parking. The fuel pump lock ring is a plastic threaded ring which secures and seals the fuel pump and fuel level sender to the fuel tank. Mazda has released a safety recall 5121I for MY2009-2011 RX-8 and MY2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. Mazda states: "On certain subject RX-8 and Mazdaspeed6 vehicles, improper installation of the fuel pump mounting rings may lead to cracking of the rings, causing fuel leakage. In addition, on certain RX-8 vehicles, the fuel pump mounting rings may deteriorate due to heat exposure from the engine and exhaust pipe due to insufficient heat resistance at the top side of the fuel tank. This may also lead to cracking of the rings, causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage may result in increased risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source near the vehicle." The faulty part number for the RX-8 matches that of the Mazdaspeed3. That is Mazda part number: BN8F-42-167 I believe the failure of this part and recall should extend to affected Mazda 3 vehicles, and any other models with the same part. I have opened a case with Mazda Corporate. Case number: 14466166445 I have uploaded a video of the smoke test performed by a local shop indicating the leak is coming from the ring: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6t6KeeaDPLgGzvvaA I have also attached a screenshot of the video, unfortunately the image quality provided by the mechanic is very poor.
parking brake not working due to mechanism on rear caliper is rusted solid so it can not activate brake
This seems to happen as I'm slowing down, as you would to make a turn onto a street or driveway. I turn on my blinker, then the moment I press the brake, all of the power in the car dies, and comes right back on. I think of it as a quick reset it seems. However, when this happens, the power steering does not work, and I'm left finishing my turn without power steering. The power steering is the only thing that does not "reset" when the power fails. The power steering may take 3-6 seconds before it comes back. And it always comes back on, but not until after I'm through my turn. It typically seems to happen when my blinker, and brake is applied, almost like the power of those lights shuts everything off. But this all happens at random. I have a part time job on the wknds delivering food. It started out just maybe happening once a month, and that was 3-4 months ago. Now it's everytime I go out, it's likely to happen, but when, it's impossilbe to tell because I can try everything to make it happen that normally might seem to be the cause and then nothing. I've read a lot of forums recently that have a lot of people with either exact problems or very similar. I don't live in a big city but for people that are driving this car in a big city thats busy, this is very dangerous, and not only that people are gonna end up getting in small wrecks for something that could be taken care of with a recall. Please do something. I'm unable to work my wknd job with this issue so it's costing me 3 days of work until I get it fixed. Thank you.
While driving on a public road (40 MPH) march 2020, my daughter's 2009 mazda 3 lost power steering, and the power steering light went on her dashboard. She pulled off the road and called us for help. When the car was turned on and off the power steering returned. Three weeks later the same problem occurred. I have read numerous cases on many websites where this is occurring. This specific VIN number is not included in the power steering pump recall we found online, but it is acting like it has the exact problem . This is a huge concern because the problem happens randomly while driving! I have read online many more drivers who had this exact problem, and their car was excluded from the recall as well.
My airbag light on the dashboard keeps turning on and off. Seems to depend on the weather, ie, rain and high humidity
Compare the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
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Other model years
20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3
Is the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
Owners have filed 115 complaints about the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3, close to a typical MAZDA3 model year.
What is the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 year score?
The 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda MAZDA3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3?
Steering, with 35 complaints, typically around 33,681 miles. Next is tires (26).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility, steering and electronic stability control (esc).
Was there a recall on the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V374000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mazda MAZDA3 have bad steering?
The Mazda MAZDA3 model years with the most steering complaints are 2008 (117 complaints), 2007 (89 complaints) and 2009 (35 complaints).
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