The Lemon Index2008 Mazda3.
The 2008 Mazda3 is worse than average by owner complaints: 164 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 151, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 27 mpg combined. The best Mazda3 year is 2011.
Worse than average. 1.5× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2011
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 303 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mazda3 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 76K miles on the car (256 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 22K–49K miles
- tires complaints mostly came at 27K–72K miles
- wheels complaints mostly came at 36K–77K miles
Recalls 3
- visibility 2011
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, 2008.
- steering 2010
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008.
- equipment 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.
Problems Mazda3 told dealers about
Mazda3 sent dealers 225 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is…
- Heavy steering effort with power steering malfunction indicator lamp on and dtc c1099
- Steering column slightly moves in or out telescopically
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
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 ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Hot day, vehicle was running for 20-30 minutes without moving. Power steering stopped working. Was advised to turn it off then on for ten minutes, worked fine.
2008 Mazda3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10341662
More owner reports
Vehicle was traveling in left lane on interstate and suddenly turned into concrete divider.
NHTSA complaint 10426616
Power steering function was lost twice last year in my Mazda 3. The pwr steering malfunction light came on and I had little control of the steering function in the car.
NHTSA complaint 10350270
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mazda3 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 151; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda3 year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2008 Mazda3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (54%), tires (13%) and visibility (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda3 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mazda3 get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 76,500 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 256 complaints.
Does the 2008 Mazda3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Mazda3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mazda3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda3 year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works