IllustrationPOWER STEERING WENT OUT, AS WELL AS THE CLOCK AND RADIO. THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
270–25K
3325–50K
3250–75K
3475–100K
39100–150K
18150K+
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
Steering complaints
89 reportsPOWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. SOMETIMES I NEED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO PREVENT A CRASH DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE.
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, MY RADIO TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE SO IT WAS REALLY UNSAFE AND I COULD HAVE WRECKED. SUDDENLY THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL.
WHEN DRIVING YOU LOOSE POWER AND POWER STEERING. ALSO I UNDER STAND THIS IS UNDER RECALL, BUT THEY CUT THE RECALL SHORT OF MY DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF 01/07
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH ON THE HIGHWAY AT TYPICAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE DASH LIGHT TURNED ON. THIS WAS PRECEDED BY THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS TURNING ON. THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS TURNED OFF AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE. THE STEERING LIGHT STAYED ON. L…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH ON THE HIGHWAY AT TYPICAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE DASH LIGHT TURNED ON. THIS WAS PRECEDED BY THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS TURNING ON. THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS TURNED OFF AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE. THE STEERING LIGHT STAYED ON. LATER, AS I WAS MAKING A SECOND 90 DEGREES LEFT TURN WITHOUT POWER ASSIST, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK SUDDENLY WHILE STILL TURNING. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS AT AN IDEAL LEVEL BETWEEN MIN & MAX MARKER WHEN I PARKED. THE SUDDEN AND RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS THE UNEXPECTED RETURN OF THE FUNCTIONALITY ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE INABILITY TO TURN AS EXPECTED MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND ULTIMATELY A COLLISION. I NOTIFIED MAZDA USA OF THE FAILURE (800-222-5500) BUT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN DEC 2006 IT'S NOT COVERED BY THE 2010 RECALL # 10V374000 FOR THE STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IS THE SAME.
OUR 2007 MAZDA 3 HAD A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE AT ONLY 81,000 MILES, EXACTLY THE SAME FAILURE AS THE THOUSANDS RECALLED BY MAZDA FOR MODEL YEARS 2007-2009. MAZDA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2006 (VIN STATES 2007 MODEL YEAR) EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE IDENTICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM, SAME …
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OUR 2007 MAZDA 3 HAD A SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE AT ONLY 81,000 MILES, EXACTLY THE SAME FAILURE AS THE THOUSANDS RECALLED BY MAZDA FOR MODEL YEARS 2007-2009. MAZDA REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP BECAUSE OUR CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2006 (VIN STATES 2007 MODEL YEAR) EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE IDENTICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM, SAME PART NUMBERS. I'VE SPENT HOURS TRACKING DOWN INFO AND TRYING TO FIND PARTS TO GET THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD. UNLESS MAZDA WIDENS THE RECALL, OTHER MAZDAS, TECHNICALLY OUTSIDE THE RECALL LOT, WILL REMAIN ON THE ROAD AND POSE A DANGER TO THE LIVES OF THE DRIVERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY IS PART NUMBER BR5V-32-600J.
WE'VE HAD NO SIGNS OF POWER STEERING PROBLEMS UNTIL A SUDDEN FAILURE TODAY, CLASSIC SIGNS OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. OUR VEHICLE HAS ONLY 81,000 MILES ON IT, WAS MANUFACTURED IN 09/06, VIN PRIOR TO THE RECALL BATCH, BUT, BASED ON THE FAILURE, IT APPEARS EARLIER VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED AS WELL. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA USA (NO…
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WE'VE HAD NO SIGNS OF POWER STEERING PROBLEMS UNTIL A SUDDEN FAILURE TODAY, CLASSIC SIGNS OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. OUR VEHICLE HAS ONLY 81,000 MILES ON IT, WAS MANUFACTURED IN 09/06, VIN PRIOR TO THE RECALL BATCH, BUT, BASED ON THE FAILURE, IT APPEARS EARLIER VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED AS WELL. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA USA (NO RESPONSE YET) AND THE DEALER WHO SAID ANY FIX HAS TO COME FROM CORPORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHTS FLASH, RADIO CUTS OUT, ENGINE GLITCHES AND DASH LIGHTS COME ON, THEN POWER STEERING IS LOST. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING MAY COME BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A FEW SECONDS OR MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO RETURN MAKING CONTR…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHTS FLASH, RADIO CUTS OUT, ENGINE GLITCHES AND DASH LIGHTS COME ON, THEN POWER STEERING IS LOST. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING MAY COME BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A FEW SECONDS OR MAY TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO RETURN MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE FRIGHTENING AND UNSAFE. EPISODES WILL OCCUR RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT WARNING (OTHER THAT FLASH OF LIGHTS AND RADIO CUT OUT FOR BRIEF MOMENT). EPISODES OCCUR FREQUENTLY AND WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS WELL AS WHEN STOPPED, BUT TYPICALLY WHILE DRIVING.
POWER STEERING WOULD RANDOMLY COME AND GO, UPON CRANKING THE (STATIONARY) CAR OR BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE (WENT AWAY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS) AFTER I ADDED PS FLUID WITH "STOP LEAK", BUT THEN PROBLEM BRIEFLY REOCCURRED ONE MORE TIME. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR MONTHS, BUT IS IT GONE FOR GOOD? THERE WAS NEVER A…
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POWER STEERING WOULD RANDOMLY COME AND GO, UPON CRANKING THE (STATIONARY) CAR OR BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE (WENT AWAY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS) AFTER I ADDED PS FLUID WITH "STOP LEAK", BUT THEN PROBLEM BRIEFLY REOCCURRED ONE MORE TIME. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR MONTHS, BUT IS IT GONE FOR GOOD? THERE WAS NEVER ANY SIGN OF A LEAK, AND MECHANIC DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN AT AROUND 67,000 MILES.
AS I PLACED THE MANUAL 5-DOOR SEDAN MODEL INTO REVERSE GEAR AND SLOWLY INCHED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE POWER TO THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING DIED AND A THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AS I PLACED THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND BEGAN TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD, GREAT DIFFICULTY WAS FELT TRYING TO GET TH…
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AS I PLACED THE MANUAL 5-DOOR SEDAN MODEL INTO REVERSE GEAR AND SLOWLY INCHED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE POWER TO THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING DIED AND A THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AS I PLACED THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND BEGAN TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD, GREAT DIFFICULTY WAS FELT TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN AND THE AC AND RADIO KEPT TURNING OFF. AS I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ONTO THE MAIN STREET, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING AND ALMOST CREATED AN ACCIDENT. THIS INABILITY TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE ELECTRICAL GOING OUT, RESULTED IN ME EVENTUALLY PULLING TO THE CURB AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER GIVING THE VEHICLE A FEW MINUTES, I RESTARTED IT AND HAD NO ISSUES UNTIL I WAS PULLING INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX ABOUT 15 MINUTES AWAY WHERE THE SAME POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULDN'T FULLY TURN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ARE EXACTLY THE SAME COMPLAINTS THAT CAN BE FOUND WITH NTHSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V374000
Official recalls
221V494000 · 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
1PE10021 · 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.