The Lemon Index2009 Mazda3.
The 2009 Mazda3 is about average by owner complaints: 69 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 89, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 24 to 27 mpg combined. The best Mazda3 year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 115 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mazda3 year. 2009 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 16K to 57K miles on the car (97 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 19K–62K miles
- tires complaints mostly came at 17K–53K miles
- wheels complaints mostly came at 38K–67K miles
Recalls 4
- 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.
- stability control 2009
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"…
Show all 4 recalls
- 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 226 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
Mazda has a major problem with the valve stems breaking even with the oem caps but they still insist operator error and or there where aftermarket ones on at the time of the breakage.
2009 Mazda3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10471431
More owner reports
While driving vehicle navigating a slight right turn at approximately 10 to 15 mph power steering failed and dash light came on. Was unable to turn vehicle in time and hit a curb, causing damage to vehicle rim and tire.
NHTSA complaint 10342765
Stem value broke off when I put the air cap after the tire was refilled with air.
NHTSA complaint 10381636
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Mazda3 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mazda3 year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2009 Mazda3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (35%), tires (25%) and wheels (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda3 have?
4 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 2009 Mazda3 get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Mazda3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,400 and 57,000 miles. The middle report was at 33,700 miles, from 97 complaints.
Does the 2009 Mazda3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 4% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Mazda3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Mazda3 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl.
What Mazda3 year is better than the 2009?
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