CarComplaints.com Notes: Except for a minor issue with cracked motor mounts, the 2008 MAZDA3 is a fantastic vehicle with a great reputation.

If you need to replace the motor mounts, first ask your dealer if they'll cover it -- the motor mounts were dealt with in a TSB & were recalled for some model years. Otherwise buy aftermarket motor mounts -- owners report this solves the problem. If you use the same OEM parts, they may just crack again.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
38,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced shifter assembly rod (1 reports)
2008 Mazda MAZDA3 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #1

Mar 092011

MAZDA3 SPEED3 GT 2.3L Disi Turbo

  • Manual transmission
  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

shift knob broken off shift knob broken off

While driving, the shift assembly rod - which connects the shift knob to the rest of the transmission - BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. It sheared where it attaches to the shifter assembly in the center console. Mazda goodwilled it - it was a $300 repair job.

A little bit of Googling reveals I'm not the only Speed3 owner to suffer this.

If I cared about the car, I'd get a short-shift kit, which replaces the garbage factory assembly (plastic + potmetal) with one made of aluminum and stainless steel.

- zappb, Huntsville, AL, US

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