The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Avoid · most complaints: steering
Better years to buy
45 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Nissan Quest2008 Chevrolet Uplander 842008 Kia Sedona 188
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 41,000 miles (25,000–66,000 km) (the middle half of the 43 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V374000 (steering) and 09E011000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mazda sent dealers 221 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 45 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 41K miles (25K to 66K km) on the car (43 of all 45 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Power steering failed while driving downhill in a parking garage.
2008 Mazda5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10317261
More owner reports
Van has 15,000 miles and is approx 14 months old. Vehicle was diagnosed with excessive tire wear in the front and tire cupping in the rear, creating excessive road/tire noise inside of the vehicle cabin.
NHTSA complaint 10263798
The power steering on the mazda 5 fails - no steering and light comes on.
NHTSA complaint 10324559
Fixes owners look up most.
From 185 YouTube videos · 5.4M views · 2006–2010 Mazda5
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door546K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2009 Mazda 5 | AQ1116Filterheads · 432K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical303K views
Mazda 5 Key Fob Battery Replacement 2006 - 2015 - EASY DIYKey Fob Rob · 268K views · 3 videos - Starter, alternator & belts94K views
2009 Mazda 5 serpentine belt replacement using zip tie!Photomikes Garage · 92K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors85K views
2006 Mazda 5 intake manifold / PCV valve removal and installation pt.1Dadsautosideshop · 48K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter73K views
2007 Mazda 5 Automatic transmission removal and installationCar MechaNick · 39K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils66K views
Spark plug replacement Mazda 5 2.3L 2008 -2013 tune up Mazda5 Mazda3Fixing cars and stuff · 66K views - Steering & suspension33K views
HOW TO CHANGE CV AXLE ASSEMBLY 2006 MAZDA 5 (BONUS: HOW TO DIAGNOSE FAILING CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS)Everyday Projects · 19K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS22K views
Mazda 5 front brake replacement 2008-2011Carl’s Garage · 22K views
Before you buy, watch
Darn! 2009 Mazda 5 transmission problems returned after about 50 miles of driving. Fix failure!John Hermann · 197 viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 221 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2010
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008.
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of electric power steering assist2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Every Mazda5 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Mazda5 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mazda5/?y=2008" title="Mazda5 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-mazda5/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Mazda5 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mazda5 reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 206; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda5 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2008 Mazda5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (64%), tires (13%) and suspension (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda5 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda5 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 41,000 miles (25,000–66,000 km) (the middle half of the 43 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Mazda5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 4% of its owner complaints.
What Mazda5 year is better than the 2008?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works