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2007 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

183 reports with mileage · 39 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

36 reports
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100,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. FOR LONGER THAN A MONTH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A LOOSE WIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. FOR LONGER THAN A MONTH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A LOOSE WIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/29/16*LJ UPDATED 10/05/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10849604

171,000 miles · May 31, 2015
Air Bags

MAIN AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON. WHEN TURNING A CORNER.

NHTSA ODI #10722514

120,000 miles · May 19, 2015
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS HAVING TO DO WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG SYSTEM. MAZDA WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10717373

50,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Air Bags

I HAVE AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO DID AN ESTIMATE AND TOLD ME A MODULE IN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT A NEW AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THEY SAID UNTIL THEN NON OF MY AIRBAGS WOULD BE WORKING IN THE CAR. THE COST WAS GOING TO BE BETWEEN 1, 500-2, 000 TO REPL…

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I HAVE AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO DID AN ESTIMATE AND TOLD ME A MODULE IN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT A NEW AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THEY SAID UNTIL THEN NON OF MY AIRBAGS WOULD BE WORKING IN THE CAR. THE COST WAS GOING TO BE BETWEEN 1, 500-2, 000 TO REPLACE THE PART AND REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. DUE TO THE EXTREME COST, WE CHOSE TO FORGO THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING OUR CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS WITH NO AIRBAGS WORKING. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE TAKATA RECALL WHEN IT BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE FOREFRONT. IT MADE ME THINK THAT MAYBE THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE HAPPENING IN SEVERAL MAZDA 3'S. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FIND THAT YES I AM DEFINITELY NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE CONSIDERING THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT THAT EARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713007

142,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

CRUISING NORTHBOUND ON RT. 3 JUST BEYOND EXIT 5. THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY.SUDDENLY, WITH ZERO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE STATE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE CREWS, I ENTERED A POT HOLE. ROUGHLY 30-35 FEET IN LENGTH, 15 + FEET IN WIDTH AND A VARIANCE IN DEPTH OF 6"-12" I RODE THE POTHOLE OUT AND UPON EXITING THE POTHOLE TO NORMAL HIGHWAY GRADE…

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CRUISING NORTHBOUND ON RT. 3 JUST BEYOND EXIT 5. THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY.SUDDENLY, WITH ZERO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE STATE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE CREWS, I ENTERED A POT HOLE. ROUGHLY 30-35 FEET IN LENGTH, 15 + FEET IN WIDTH AND A VARIANCE IN DEPTH OF 6"-12" I RODE THE POTHOLE OUT AND UPON EXITING THE POTHOLE TO NORMAL HIGHWAY GRADE MY VEHICLE LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE 'BUMP' OF THE INCONSISTENCY FROM NORMAL GRADE TO A POTHOLE IN SEVERE NEGLIGENT DISREPAIR. I SLID FOR APPROX. 50-60 YARDS,SPEED REMAINED BETWEEN 60-65 MPH. I STRUCK A SNOWBANK 12FT IN HEIGHT AND THE BRUNT OF THE FIRST IMPACT ON MY NECK AS MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE MAZDA CORPORATION, ASKED IF THEY INTENDED TO INVESTIGATE WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THEY SAID, I HAVE THIS CONVERSATION...BOTH OF THEM ON RECORD, IT WAS NOT MAZDA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SEND A FIELD AGENT TO INVESTIGATE WHY IT DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. WAS VERY QUICK TO INSIST THAT IT IS MY INSURANCE COMPANY'S JOB. I FEEL IT WAS DEFECTIVE. MAINLY I AM BOTHERED AT THE FACT THAT MAZDA HAS CLAIMED, (ON THE RECORD ) THAT THEY WILL NOT BE SENDING A FIELD AGENT TO INVESTIGATE A POSSIBLE DEFECT. I FEEL IT IS ABSOLUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE ON THEIR PART. IT IS SOMETHING THAT MOST CERTAINLY MUST BE LOOKED INTO AS I FEEL 100% THAT MY INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS HAD THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON THE INITIAL 60-65MPH IMPACT. THERE IS EXPOSED STYROFOAM FROM MY FRONT BUMPER AND MY FOG LIGHTS ARE ALL NILLY WILLY AND HANGING OFF THE CAR ALONG WITH 50% OF THE FRONT FENDER. I CAN SAY THAT IT IS IMMENSELY NEGLIGENT ON MAZDA'S PART TO DENY AN INVESTIGATION. THEY TOLD ME THAT IS MY INSURANCE COMPANY'S JOB, HOWEVER, IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MANUFACTURE THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, MAZDA DID. I AM SUFFERING A CONCUSSION AND CERVICAL MUSCULOSKELTAL SYSTEM DAMAGE, AND TRULY FEEL MY INJURIES WOULD BE LESSENED HAD THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700667

110,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE RED PLASTIC ASSEMBLY MELTED INTO THE BREAK LIGHT BULBS CAUSING BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. CURRENTLY, BOTH ASSEMBLY HAVE HOLES WHERE THE RED PLASTIC MELTED, THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, IT HAS BEEN …

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THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE RED PLASTIC ASSEMBLY MELTED INTO THE BREAK LIGHT BULBS CAUSING BOTH REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO BURN OUT. CURRENTLY, BOTH ASSEMBLY HAVE HOLES WHERE THE RED PLASTIC MELTED, THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND CONTINUES TO FAIL, MIGHT AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ON THE ENGINE MOUNT. FINALLY, DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR HAS TURNED ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE, MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE PART IN THE SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667202

73,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10654418

121,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON (THUS DISABLING THE SYSTEM). TOOK IT TO A GARAGE WHO TESTED IT AND SAID THAT IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT UNTIL IT IS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640529

58,967 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY PARENTS' 2007 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR HATCHBACK WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH BY A FORD EDGE SUV TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE MAZDA THEN HIT THE TALL CONCRETE DIVIDER NEARLY HEAD-ON, PROPELLED FORWARD BY THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE MAZDA WAS A TOTAL LOSS, SUSTAINING MODERATE REAR END DAMAGE AND HEAVY F…

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MY PARENTS' 2007 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR HATCHBACK WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH BY A FORD EDGE SUV TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE MAZDA THEN HIT THE TALL CONCRETE DIVIDER NEARLY HEAD-ON, PROPELLED FORWARD BY THE INITIAL IMPACT. THE MAZDA WAS A TOTAL LOSS, SUSTAINING MODERATE REAR END DAMAGE AND HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. BOTH MY MOTHER (WHO WAS DRIVING) AND MY FATHER (IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) WERE INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. BOTH PEOPLE WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. MOM SUSTAINED A FACIAL INJURY TO THE FOREHEAD, A CONTUSION TO HER ARM AND A PROBABLE CRACKED STERNUM. DAD SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED RIBS AS CONFIRMED AT THE HOSPITAL AND OTHER MORE MINOR INJURIES. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE NONE OF THE AIRBAGS ON THE CAR WENT OFF, AND I WOULD EXPECT AT LEAST THE FRONT ONES WOULD HAVE, CONSIDERING HOW HARD THE FRONTAL COLLISION WAS WHEN CAR HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEIR INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE IF THE AIRBAGS HAD GONE OFF WHEN THE CAR HIT THE BARRIER. I DID TAKE PICTURES OF THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR SHOWING THE DAMAGE AND THE INTERIOR WITH THE AIRBAGS INTACT AND UNUSED.....UPDATED 07/23/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10611023

95,000 miles · May 11, 2014
Air Bags

RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587688

Official recalls

2

21V494000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 1, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.

10V374000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Aug 12, 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 COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS TYPICALLY EXPECTED, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE10021 · Loss Of Electric Power Steering Assist

Opened Jun 28, 2010 · Closed Nov 29, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:electric Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Steering:electric Power Assist System

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.

Steering

The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system.To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, afailsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented.This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds.Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off.However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle.On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles.The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/.ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.