Five problems related to automatic transmission control module have been reported for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 based on all problems reported for the 2008 MAZDA3.
At and yellow check engine light came on and car was in limp mode first thing in morning after having no issues with my Mazda previously. Codes came back with solenoids a, b, c, d, e all have electrical failure, and issues with the oxygen sensor. My car has had regular maintenance done on it. No signs or symptoms of transmission failure beforehand. Happened instantly overnight. Tcm is not in stock anywhere and I suspect that is the culprit due to other Mazda owners similar situations. 95k miles.
The vehicle suddenly jerks, pulls, stops after about 10 minutes running time. Told by mechanic that it is the transmission control module. He said this model is notorious for having them fail. They are on back order with Mazda with no lead time, which also says something. The vehicle is very dangerous to drive. Mechanic said the original design has bad placement which causes them to heat up and fail.
This vehicle has had 3 repeated major service repair attempts related to the tcm, pcm at light, check engine/transmission light trying to resolve this issue permanently. This vehicle was in motion and stationary on a city street when experiencing all of these problems. This vehicle has only approximately 68,000 miles. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed by Mazda or buy back this vehicle. No one should have to be faced with these kinds of concerns. These systemic issues has not been favorable in my view and will having a major determing effect in future car purchase. Brand loyalty. [blah, blah, blah. . . ] 4-3-2019 at 9:27am.
Since the course of about a year, I have experienced traumatic moments while driving my vehicle pertaining to it's electrical/transmission functionality. When driving the vehicle at normal speeds (ex. 50mph) the Mazda would buckle, rev abnormally, all while my gear indicator would flicker. This would happen after about 10 minutes of driving and continue on for the remainder of the drive about every 20 minute interval. This is quite unsafe, and the repairs that multiple mechanics including Mazda themselves suggested to repair the issue did not accomplish anything unfortunately. Repairmen flushed and replaced the automatic transmission fluid, replaced my output speed sensor, changed out my shift solenoids, gear shifter, and even replaced my entire pcm. I have not only taken pictures and videos of these horrid incidences, but there seems to be other instances of people having this identical issue with their Mazda's as well. If there is a way to show my video examples for study, then I will gladly send them.
On 04/01/2015 while driving in the city at about 25 mph the transmission went from 4 to 1, and the car jerked really hard. At light and check engine light came on. After pulling over and turning the car off and waiting a couple of minutes, at light went away, check engine light was still on. The same happened in two days, then in 5 days while driving on a freeway with speed 65 mph - the car jerked and bucked at full speed, at light and check engine light on, transmission went from 5 to 1 to 3, tachometer went from 2500 rpm to over 4000 rpm - thankfully I did not hit anyone and I wasn't hit by other cars when that happened (I was very scared!). I got the car towed to the dealership, and after two days of diagnostics the answer - transmission control module (tcm) is bad. I did research online - very common problem with cars of this make, model and year. Dealer can not fix it because tcm is on nationwide back order! I have no car for a week now and it could be a month when the part will be available. This kind of problem worth of a recall due to the safety concerns and the cost of the replacement - over $1000 including diagnostics.
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| Automatic Transmission Control Module problems | |
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| Manual Transmission problems | |
| Automatic Transmission Floor Shift problems |