MazdaMazda52008Overview/mazda/mazda5/2008/base/

2008 Mazda Mazda5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Mazda5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2008 Mazda Mazda5 is classified as a passenger car and was offered with an automatic (S5) transmission, carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21/27/23 mpg. Within the model’s 2006–2016 complaint history, its 67 owner complaints place it much closer to the 2006 high of 78 than to the 2011 low of 1, with steering recorded as the top complaint area and two recalls on file. That position makes it a relatively well-documented year in the Mazda5’s reliability record, so researchers should weigh its efficiency and packaging against the backdrop of steering-related owner reports and the two recalls.

Model year201720162015201420132012201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0114312. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterLF0114312 alt L32114302A9U
Engine air filterLF5013Z40A9U
Fuel filterLFB613ZE0 alt LFB613ZE1
BatteryF22118520E alt 000080124FWB
Front wiper bladesCC3067330 alt CC3867330
Serpentine beltLF5015908B alt L37215909A
ThermostatLF0315165A alt LF7015170
Cabin air filterCC2961J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.5 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height64.2 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3424 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mazda5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 2008 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Touring 2.3L I-48.90 sec16.80 sec153 hpFWD
2008Grand Touring 2.3L I-49.40 sec17.30 sec153 hpFWD
2009Grand Touring 2.3L I-410.00 sec17.70 sec153 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6.1
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) BearingsSOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsSOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12.0-14.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Main BearingsSOHC: 75-85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition TimingTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.4
Injector Primary Resistance1.0-1.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure57-94 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.011 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket19-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle75-87 ft-lbs / 43-56 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.94 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.91 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep DOHC

162 inch lbs., Step 2: 1262 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 25,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2008 the Mazda5 recorded 67 complaints, 2 recalls and 1 investigation, placing it between the 2006 figure of 78 complaints and 3 recalls and the 2007 figure of 61 complaints and 2 recalls. Compared to the subsequent model years, complaints declined to 64 in 2009 and continued a general downward trend through 20102016, aside from a brief rise in 2012. Recall activity remained low after 2008, with only one recall per year from 2012‑2015 and none in 2011 and 2016, indicating that the 2008 recall level was not unusually high. The most frequent complaint areas for 2008 were steering (33), tires (6), suspension (5) and structure (2), with 4 crash‑related and 1 fire‑related complaints reported. Given that its complaint and recall counts are comparable to the surrounding years and do not show a worsening trend, the 2008 Mazda5 can be considered an average‑risk used‑car choice, neither markedly better nor worse than adjacent model years.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
219
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
67
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering33
Tires6
Suspension5
Structure2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Visibility,Structure2
Power Train2
Steering,Power Train,Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V374000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 12/08/2010

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST… Remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA…

09E011000EquipmentReported 02/04/2009

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R… Remedy: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 219 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mazda5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 Mazda5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Mazda5 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.