Mazda2006–2009

3 2.0: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

15 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, six concern the engine and fuel system and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

6 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Engine coolant leak from hose connecting block of LH side of cylinder head

Poor manufacture of hose connecting block gasket. Fix: fit a modified part.

Overview

Affects
All models with LF/L3 turbo engine codes, →07/08.
Remedy
Fit modified part

Repair steps

  1. Remove hose connecting block bolts and remove hose connecting block.
  2. Thoroughly clean all mating surfaces. Fit modified hose connecting block gasket.
  3. Install bolts to hose connecting block. Tightening torque: 8 - 11 Nm.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Hose connecting block gasketLF1F-15-1691

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated

Affects All models with L3/L3 turbo/LF engine codes: 3: →12/07. 6: →06/07. MX-5: →12/07. 5: 2006-07. CX-7: →12/07.P0440Fit new part

Symptoms

Engine runs in limp home mode. Trouble code stored: P0440.

Cause

Evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge valve faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit new evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge valve.
Parts7 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
EVAP valveLF66-20-360K3 (→2005)
EVAP valveL32D-20-360D3 (2006→)
EVAP valveL391-18-740C6 (→2005)
EVAP valveL3P9-18-740B6 (2006→)
EVAP valveLFG1-18-741BMX-5
EVAP valveL3P5-20-360B5
EVAP valveL33L-18-740BCX-7

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Engine intermittently fails to crank

Affects All models except 2.3 MPS.Repair kit

Cause

Poor electrical connection between starter motor solenoid and harness connector.

Repair

  1. Repair starter motor wiring harness using harness repair kit.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Harness repair kitBAY0-67-SH01

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Excessive vibration through vehicle when stationary with engine idling

Affects All models with petrol engines.

Symptoms

Oil leak at front of vehicle.

Cause

RH engine mounting faulty.

Repair

  1. Renew RH engine mounting.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Engine oil leak from engine oil sump area

Inferior quality engine oil sump to engine block sealant. Fix: clean and lubricate.

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Clean & lubricate

Repair steps

  1. Remove engine oil sump.
  2. Thoroughly clean all mating surfaces.
  3. Apply manufacturer's specification sealant to engine oil sump and refit.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Trouble code stored: P2096

Overview

Affects
All models with petrol engines.
Fault codes
P2096
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program ECM with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.

Electrical & ignition

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

SRS warning lamp illuminated

Affects All models with side airbags.B1998Fit new part

Symptoms

Trouble code stored in SRS control module fault memory: B1998.

Cause

Front side airbag faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit new front side airbag.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

SRS warning lamp illuminated. Trouble code stored: B1885

Overview

Affects
All models.
Fault codes
B1885
Remedy
Fit new part

Cause

SRS control module faulty.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Fit new SRS control module.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.

Suspension & drivetrain

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Squeaking noise from front suspension when driving over rough roads or speed humps

Overview

Affects
All models, →01/06.
Remedy
Fit new part
Parts
2 parts

Cause

Front suspension lower arm bushes faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit new front suspension lower arm(s).
  2. Check front wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
Parts2 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Front suspension lower arm - RHB32H-34-300D1
Front suspension lower arm - LHB32H-34-350D1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Steering

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Power steering warning lamp illuminates

Power steering pump faulty. Fix: fit a modified part.

Overview

Affects
All models with power steering.
Remedy
Fit modified part

Symptoms

Power steering lost.

Repair steps

  1. Fit modified power steering pump.
  2. Fit new power steering pipes/hoses.
  3. Renew power steering fluid.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Stored trouble code cannot be erased after replacement of power steering pump

Affects All models.B2477Software update

Symptoms

Trouble code stored in power steering control module fault memory: B2477.

Cause

Software incompatibility between power steering control module and power steering pump.

Repair

  1. Re-program power steering control module with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Clutch & gearbox

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Whining noise from transmission in 3rd gear

Overview

Affects
All models with 5-speed G35M-R transmission, →06/05/08.
Parts
4 parts

Symptoms

Transmission jumps out of 3rd gear.

Cause

Worn transmission components.

Repair

  1. Remove transmission from vehicle and dismantle.
  2. Replace parts as listed.
Parts4 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Synchroniser hub sleeveG501-17-242E1
Synchroniser ringGC01-17-26YA2
Synchroniser springG601-17-7242
Transmission 3rd gearG511-17-2301

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Engine runs in limp home mode

Affects All models with automatic transmission (AT).P0715

Symptoms

Trouble code stored in transmission control module (TCM) fault memory: P0715.

Cause

Transmission input shaft speed sensor faulty.

Repair

  1. Replace transmission input shaft speed sensor.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Air conditioning & heating

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Air conditioning (AC) inefficient

Affects All models with air conditioning (AC).

Cause

Foreign objects and/or debris in expansion valve.

Repair

  1. Check AC system for debris. Replace component(s) as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

Wipers & visibility

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Failure of indicators/hazard warning lamps

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Fit new part

Symptoms

Failure of windscreen wipers.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Fit new multifunction control module.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

ECM
Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
Nm
Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
AC
Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
RH
Right-hand — the right side of the vehicle as you sit in it
SRS
Supplementary restraint system — the airbags and seat-belt pretensioners
TCM
Transmission control module — the electronic unit that manages the gearbox
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Expansion Valve
The air-conditioning valve that lets refrigerant drop in pressure so it can absorb heat
Fault Memory
The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
Limp Home
A protective mode that limits power so the vehicle can be driven to a workshop
Multifunction Control Module
The control module that runs shared electrical functions (lights, wipers, locking, and so on)
Re-Program
Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Solenoid
An electrically operated valve or actuator
Trouble Code
A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Wiring Harness
The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
Bushes
Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Lower Arm
A suspension link that locates the wheel at the bottom of the hub

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Mazda 3 2.0?

This guide contains 15 workshop bulletins for the Mazda 3 2.0. Of these, six concern the engine and fuel system and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Mazda 3 2.0 have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Mazda 3 2.0 faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →