I was driving on a city road doing 35-40mph in 4th gear. I let off the gas while in 4th and coasted to about 20mph then shifted to n and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I tried to shift to 1st an the shifter went half way in between r and 1st, so I shifted back to n and tried 1st again. Then the whole shifter broke off and was just laying there. Now my car is stuck in 3rd gear.
The worst 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission23
- Engine5
- Electrical2
- Suspension2
- Wheels2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission23
- Engine5
- Electrical2
- Suspension2
- Wheels2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
Recalls 1
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 35
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Speedometer replacement procedure
- This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâs floor mat to avoid...
- The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing
- This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery...
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- New CARB regulation regarding mandatory checking and documenting of tire pressure whenever a vehicle is in...
What 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was on the highway in motion when all of a sudden my shifter broke off and I wasn't able to move. I had to call I tow
I began to accelerate my mazdaspeed 3 shifting from 1st gear to second gear. I shifted into third where my shift broke and remained in my hand. My car stalled out in 3rd because I could not shift out. I took off the plastics covering the shifter and pulled the plate back into neautral so I could push my car to the local gas station. My shifter rod snapped and the spring came out.
Manual shift lever came detached while driving in rush hour traffic. Car stuck in 4th gear. I was up shifting when it happened.
While shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear at low speed, the shifter for my manual transmission broke off in my hand. After coasting to the side of the road and removing the console, I discovered it snapped in half at the location of the retention pin.
As I was slowing down to make a right turn I placed the car in neutral. After making the turn and going to put the car back in gear the shifter breaks at the point where the pin goes in above the ball. I do not track my car nor shift hard ever.
The shift lever complete broke off and no longer had any affect on engaging any of the gears. I was stopped at a light and it broke when I tried to engage 1st gear out of neutral. Luckily I was able to feel for the shift cable mechanism through the leather shifter boot and engage 3rd gear. Limped home in 3rd.
I have a 2008 mazdaspeed 3 with a manual transmission. While I was driving to work on 9/9/2014, the steel rod that the shifter knob is attached to sheared off suddenly while I was shifting from first to second. This left the transmission in neutral and I had no power since I couldn't shift into gear. This was a very dangerous situation since I was traveling through an intersection in heavy traffic. Luckily, I avoided an accident and coasted to a stop. The car had to be towed home. The steel shaft separated completely in two without any warning. The break occurred right where the shaft has a hole drilled through it for the metal pin that locks it into the lower part of the shifter assembly. I have saved the broken part and I also took photos of it at the time of the incident. I'm very concerned that this part, which is critical to the safe operation of the vehicle failed without warning while I was driving. This appears to be a serious design or manufacturing defect. There are other reports of similar shifter failures for this year/model car on internet forums. I reported this problem to a mazda customer service representative via mazda's customer experience hotline on 9/9. I emailed them a description of the problem and sent photos of the part. I also showed the part to my local mazda dealership, lee johnson mazda in kirkland, wa and they confirmed that the part should not have failed in this fashion. I have made repeated follow up calls to the mazda customer experience hotline and on 9/26 they have informed me that mazda will not investigate the issue and is not interested in examining the failed part. The case file number they gave me is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While shifting from 2nd gear to 3rd gear, shifter lever sheared, and detached, at the retaining pin.
Stopped at a stoplight, I attempted to shift in to first gear. While shifting, the transmission select lever sheered at the insertion point to the transmission at the retention pin. I was left with a stick shift that was completely removed from the car and immobile.
Compare the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
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Questions about the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Is the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 reliable?
Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, 5.5 times a typical Mazdaspeed3 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 23 complaints, typically around 49,600 miles. Next is engine (5).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have?
1 recall, covering visibility.
What year does the Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have bad transmission?
The Mazda Mazdaspeed3 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2008 (23 complaints) and 2007 (17 complaints).
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