CarBrief

NHTSA has 303 owner complaints on file for this Mazda 3[1]. Steering has the largest share of them[2].

303owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
24–27MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

These are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 3 is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
3, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 24 / 32 / 27 $2,500
3, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] 23 / 31 / 26 $2,600
3, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 22 / 29 / 25 $2,700
3, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] 22 / 29 / 24 $2,800

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[17], 5 HB FWD[18].

How 2008 compares with other years

2004: 145 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 97 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 166 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 222 complaints, 2 recalls2008: 303 complaints, 2 recalls30320082009: 115 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 686 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 132 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 226 complaints, 1 recalls20122013: 117 complaints, 1 recalls2014: 138 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 130 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 104 complaints, 6 recalls20162017: 84 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 109 complaints, 4 recalls20182019: 74 complaints, 6 recalls2020: 32 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 54 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 24 complaints, 0 recalls20222023: 12 complaints, 0 recalls2024: 12 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 8 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 3 model year. The 2008 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20041452
2005972
20061661
20072222
20083032
20091153
20106863
20111322
20122261
20131171
20141384
20151304
20161046
2017842
20181094
2019746
2020322
2021541
2022240
2023120
2024123
202581
202610

NHTSA's counts for the 3 show 303 complaints and 2 recalls for 2008[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 21 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2010 (686)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 3?

The 2008 Mazda 3 has a clear pattern in its owner reports, with steering ahead of every other group[2]. Tires and wheels come next, with pressure warnings, tire wear and corroded valve stems among the themes owners describe[5][6]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1]. Read the recalls section on this page before you buy, and check that any open recall work was done.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda 3?
Steering has the most complaints, followed by tires and wheels[2][5][6]. Owners also report engine and air bag issues[7][8].
Does the 2008 Mazda 3 have recalls?
Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them with their codes.
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Mazda 3?
See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2008 Mazda 3 reliable?
Owners filed 303 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Those reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners describe.
Which year of the Mazda 3 is best?
The by-year comparison section on this page shows complaints and recalls for each year[3]. Compare years of the same model there.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda 3

Compare all model years of the Mazda 3

Other Mazda models from 2008

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2008: compact cars

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 303 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda 3 (29 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 20 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 117 complaints name the steering component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for 3, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 41 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 33 complaints name the wheels component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 26 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,754). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 22 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 21 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 11V329, filed June 15, 2011: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 10V374, filed August 12, 2010: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for 3, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for 3, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for 3, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.