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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

Power Train complaints

17 reports
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77,000 miles · May 29, 2012
EnginePower Train

WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORM A STOP MY CAR STALLED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF BUT THE RADIO AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE. MY CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES ALL AT SIMILAR SPEEDS. GOING FROM A …

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WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORM A STOP MY CAR STALLED. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF BUT THE RADIO AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASH. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE. MY CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES ALL AT SIMILAR SPEEDS. GOING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR FROM IDLING SPEED TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459950

80,200 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. LUCKILY THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 80,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BUSY-SHIFTING HARD FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UP LARGE HILLS. THIS WO…

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I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. LUCKILY THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 80,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BUSY-SHIFTING HARD FROM 4TH TO 3RD GEAR WHEN GOING UP LARGE HILLS. THIS WORE ON THE ENGINE AND CRACKED THE CV BOOT. AFTER REPLACEMENT, THIS ISSUE NO LONGER OCCURED. NOW, AT 80,000 MILES, SECOND GEAR HAS TOTALLY GIVEN OUT, IT SKIPS SECOND AND SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 3RD. THEY SAY IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN... AFTER JUST 30,000 MILES. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND THE WARRANTY ON THAT TRANSMISSION IS APPARENTLY EXPIRED AS WELL... PLEASE RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS... IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ODI #10410932

2,200 miles · Apr 20, 2011
Electrical SystemHybrid Propulsion SystemPower Train

BUENAS NOCHES! LAMENTABLEMENTE NO HABLO INGLES, PERO QUISIERA OBTENER INFORMACION ACERCA DE LA FALLA DE FABRICACION EN EL SISTEMA HIDRAULICO (EHPAS) DEL MAZDA 3 DEL 2007. TENGO UNO Y PRESNETO UNA FALLA DONDE EL VOLANTE SE PUSO MUY DURO, Y EN VENEZUELA AUN NO HAN HECHO EL RECALLS. ADEMAS QUISIERA SABER SI HAN HECHO ALGUNA INVEST…

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BUENAS NOCHES! LAMENTABLEMENTE NO HABLO INGLES, PERO QUISIERA OBTENER INFORMACION ACERCA DE LA FALLA DE FABRICACION EN EL SISTEMA HIDRAULICO (EHPAS) DEL MAZDA 3 DEL 2007. TENGO UNO Y PRESNETO UNA FALLA DONDE EL VOLANTE SE PUSO MUY DURO, Y EN VENEZUELA AUN NO HAN HECHO EL RECALLS. ADEMAS QUISIERA SABER SI HAN HECHO ALGUNA INVESTIGACION DEL GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE, QUE CONTROLA EL FUNCIONAMIENTO DE: LOS LIMPIA PARA BRISAS, LAS LUCES, EL SISTEMA DE DOBLE TRANSMISION, ESPEJOS RETROVISORES, SISTEMA DE CONTROL DE LAS VENTANAS, Y OTROS. MI VEHICULO TAMBIEN PRESENTO FALLAS DE ESE TIPO Y CREO QUE ES UNA FALLA DE FABRICACION DE ESE MODULO (GEM) SI TIENEN ALGUNA EXPERIENCIA O QUEJAS DE LOS USUARIOS, PODRIA POR FAVOR ENVIARME ESA INFORMACION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396984

98,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SERVICE BULLETIN #05-010/10 ISSUED 8/6/2010. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT IS STATED IN THE BULLETIN AND THEY SAID THE FLUID WAS A LITTLE LOW SO THEY PUT A QUART IN TODAY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP. PLEASE CHECK THE FORUMS THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION ON THOSE …

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SERVICE BULLETIN #05-010/10 ISSUED 8/6/2010. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT IS STATED IN THE BULLETIN AND THEY SAID THE FLUID WAS A LITTLE LOW SO THEY PUT A QUART IN TODAY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP. PLEASE CHECK THE FORUMS THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION ON THOSE SITES. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE THE INFORMATION DISAPPEARS QUICKLY. I DON'T KNOW WHY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381364

80,000 miles · Dec 22, 2009
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN 3RD GEAR IT SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE DRIFT BACKWARDS. ALSO WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL THE VEHICLE WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL INSTEAD OF THIRD GEAR. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10296667

38,000 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Power Train

CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND AS THE GEAR LEVER HIT NEUTRAL THERE WAS A FAINT POPPING NOISE, CLUTCH PEDAL FROZE IN THE DOWN POSITION, I SENSED SOMETHING WRONG AND ALLOWED FORWARD MOMENTUM TO PULL TO THE CURB. I ATTEMPTED TO FINISH SHIFTING, GEARS WERE UNUSABLE, CLUTCH PEDAL FROZEN DOWN. THIS ALL OCCURRED …

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CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND AS THE GEAR LEVER HIT NEUTRAL THERE WAS A FAINT POPPING NOISE, CLUTCH PEDAL FROZE IN THE DOWN POSITION, I SENSED SOMETHING WRONG AND ALLOWED FORWARD MOMENTUM TO PULL TO THE CURB. I ATTEMPTED TO FINISH SHIFTING, GEARS WERE UNUSABLE, CLUTCH PEDAL FROZEN DOWN. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN A HALF A SECOND OR LESS. LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND THERE WAS SURPRISINGLY LITTLE TRAFFIC. 2 BLOCKS FURTHER AND THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. AFTER 5 MINUTES OF MAKING PHONE CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE, THE CLUTCH PEDAL RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY LIMP TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO PRIOR SIGNS OF CLUTCH WEAR EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE PRIOR DAYS IN WHICH THE CLUTCH FELT A LITTLE SOFTER THEN NORMAL BUT SO LITTLE I COULDN'T TELL IF WAS THE NEW SHOES OR THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 38,000 MILES. IT IS USED PRIMARILY TO GET TO WORK WITH 50/50 STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ROUGHLY 36 MILES A DAY. WITH 4 MODELS OF THIS BRAND OVER 20 YEARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH REPAIR WITH AN AVERAGE LIFE OF 90-100K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291922

34,343 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Power TrainStructureTires

I HAVE BEEN GETTING MY CAR REGULARLY MAINTENANCED (AND TIRED ROTATED AND BALANCED) EVERY SIX MONTHS AND I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS TO PROVE THIS. DATES AS FOLLOWS: NOVEMBER 14, 2007, MARCH 6, 2008, AUGUST 25, 2008, APRIL 9, 2009 AND SEPT 4, 2009. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY TIRES WERE 'CUPPLING' AND THAT I NEED ALL 4 TIRES NOW AS WELL …

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I HAVE BEEN GETTING MY CAR REGULARLY MAINTENANCED (AND TIRED ROTATED AND BALANCED) EVERY SIX MONTHS AND I HAVE ALL THE RECEIPTS TO PROVE THIS. DATES AS FOLLOWS: NOVEMBER 14, 2007, MARCH 6, 2008, AUGUST 25, 2008, APRIL 9, 2009 AND SEPT 4, 2009. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY TIRES WERE 'CUPPLING' AND THAT I NEED ALL 4 TIRES NOW AS WELL AS A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THERE ARE TOYO TIRES AND I HAVE ONE 34,000 MILES ON THEM. I WAS HEARING RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CONSOLE, DASHBOARD AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHILE I DRIVE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS WIRES LOSE AND THEY FIXED IT....BUT IN FACT THEY DID NOT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER-TRAIN (REFLASHING) AND BATTERY DIED BEFORE THE CAR WAS EVEN 6 MONTHS OLD. THEY CHANGED THE BATTERY AND SUPPOSELY FIXED THE POWER TRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284629

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.