NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
222 reports10,000 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS WHICH WERE RESURFACED TWICE AT THE DEALERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS WHICH WERE RESURFACED TWICE AT THE DEALERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON A THIRD OCCASION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE BRAKE ROTORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND COULD NOT BE RESURFACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL DEFECT RELATED TO THE PROBLEM AND THE DEFECT WAS NOT UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10326452
40,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Steering
MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING FAILURE DANGEROUS. MAZDA IS NOT TAKING ANY INITIATIVE TO CONTACT CUSTOMERS. THEY ARE TRYING TO SILENCE THE ISSUE. BASICALLY THE POWER STEERING FAILS ON THE ROAD AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. DEALERS HAVE NO PARTS AND ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE ISSUE IS ALL OVER EVERY CAR WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET. MAZDA IS …
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MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING FAILURE DANGEROUS. MAZDA IS NOT TAKING ANY INITIATIVE TO CONTACT CUSTOMERS. THEY ARE TRYING TO SILENCE THE ISSUE. BASICALLY THE POWER STEERING FAILS ON THE ROAD AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. DEALERS HAVE NO PARTS AND ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE ISSUE IS ALL OVER EVERY CAR WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET. MAZDA IS NOT TAKING THE ISSUE VERY SERIOUSLY AND IS TELLING DRIVERS THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. BELOW I HAVE LISTED A COUPLE SITES WHICH CAME UP WITH A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WHICH ARE ALL FLOODED WITH CUSTOMERS HAVING THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS! HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3CLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=409729 HTTP://WWW.JDPOWER.COM/AUTOS/POWERSTEERING/2008/MAZDA/3 HTTP://TORONTOMAZDA3.CA/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?32875-POWER-STEERING-PUMP-WENT! HTTP://MAZDAFORUM.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=18579 HTTP://WWW.MAZDA3FORUMS.COM/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=143562.0. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316826
28,048 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Suspension
HARD KNOCKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE MULTIPLE FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE (A MOTOR MOUNT, REAR SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, FRONT STRUT BAR BUSHINGS, FRONT SWAY BAR, STABILIZER PLATE, CONTROL ROD, UPPER STRUT BEARING AND MOUNT) AS DRIVABILITY AND HANDLING ISSUES HAVE BECOME WOR…
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HARD KNOCKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS MADE MULTIPLE FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE (A MOTOR MOUNT, REAR SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, FRONT STRUT BAR BUSHINGS, FRONT SWAY BAR, STABILIZER PLATE, CONTROL ROD, UPPER STRUT BEARING AND MOUNT) AS DRIVABILITY AND HANDLING ISSUES HAVE BECOME WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP RECENTLY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A BENT LOWER A-ARM WHICH IS OF NO FAULT TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCE. AS THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECT IN THE LOWER A-ARM IS AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE IN MATERIAL. THE FRONT END GEOMETRY IS NOW SEVERELY OUT PHASE BY 30 DEGREES (PER THE DEALERSHIP) WHICH CAN CAUSE UNDUE STRESS TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT CAUSING PREMATURE BREAKAGE. THE RESULT OF THE LOWER A-ARM SEPARATING FROM THE SPINDLE CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW A-ARM AND POSSIBLY OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. TW*
NHTSA ODI #10303064
56,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
SteeringCrashInjury
MY 2007 MAZDA 3 WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND IN THE LEFT LANE AT 75MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT; WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE CAR CONTINUED GOING LEFT OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS AND INTO THE DIRT SHOULDER. AT THIS TIME THE CAR THEN SHOT RIGHT NE…
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MY 2007 MAZDA 3 WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND IN THE LEFT LANE AT 75MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT; WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE CAR CONTINUED GOING LEFT OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS AND INTO THE DIRT SHOULDER. AT THIS TIME THE CAR THEN SHOT RIGHT NEARLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLOW OF SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC, WHERE I BEGAN TO GO OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT. THE CAR THEN HIT THE DIRT SHOULDER AND ROLLED 2 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WAS FACING NORTH AND ON ITS SIDE WHEN IT FINALLY SETTLED. ONLY 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE CRASH I NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I ALSO NOTICED A FEW DAYS LATER THAT IN THE USUAL SPOT WHERE I PARK, THERE WAS WHAT LOOKED LIKE CLEAN OIL DRIPS (THEY COULD HAVE BEEN BRAKE FLUID OR POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THE COLOR WAS THAT OF CLEAN OIL). THE CAR HAS NEVER LEAKED BEFORE. THE CAR HAS BE DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT. THE MAZDA3 HAD APPROX 56000 MILES, AND WAS THE STANDARD SPORT MODEL HATCHBACK WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT WAS PURCHASED IN OCT. 06. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297235
39,000 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringCrash
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2007 MAZDA 3 . SEVERAL DAYS AGO, WHILE MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT, THE CAR LOST POWER, LOCKING THE STEERING (WHILE SHE WAS ON A CURVE), AND SHE LEFT THE ROAD, HITTING A TREE, AND TOTALING THE CAR. SHE WAS NOT HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296981
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
30,000 miles · Oct 4, 2009
Suspension
2007 MAZDA 3 EXCESSIVE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. AT 30,000 MILES I SEE THAT THE FRONT TIRES ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF STEEL BAND VISIBLE AND STICKING OUT. INSPECTION AT 25,000 MILES DEALER SAID THERE WAS WEAR BUT NOT CRITICAL. THE TREAD IS SEPARATING AND I AM REPLACING TIRES IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE LEARNED THAT FRONT SUSPENSION HAS EXCES…
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2007 MAZDA 3 EXCESSIVE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. AT 30,000 MILES I SEE THAT THE FRONT TIRES ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF STEEL BAND VISIBLE AND STICKING OUT. INSPECTION AT 25,000 MILES DEALER SAID THERE WAS WEAR BUT NOT CRITICAL. THE TREAD IS SEPARATING AND I AM REPLACING TIRES IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE LEARNED THAT FRONT SUSPENSION HAS EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER CAUSING THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286263
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
46,000 miles · Jul 25, 2009
Tires
I BOUGHT A MAZDA 3, 2.3L WHICH HAD THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE TIRES WHICH ARE GOODYEAR RS A P205/50R17 DOT V4H4 4MBR 2906 V2589 WHICH GAVE ME A SCARE SINCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A PIECE OF TREAD FROM MY FRONT RIGHT CAME OFF.TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE THEM REPLACE. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TO SEE ID THE CAR WAS OFF BALANCE, BUT EVERYTHING…
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I BOUGHT A MAZDA 3, 2.3L WHICH HAD THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE TIRES WHICH ARE GOODYEAR RS A P205/50R17 DOT V4H4 4MBR 2906 V2589 WHICH GAVE ME A SCARE SINCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A PIECE OF TREAD FROM MY FRONT RIGHT CAME OFF.TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE THEM REPLACE. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TO SEE ID THE CAR WAS OFF BALANCE, BUT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ALSO THE TIRE SHOWN GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE SPECIALLY ON THE INSIDE OF IT. I AM CONCERN IF SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TIRES. SINCE IN THE SHOP THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY WRONG WITH MY CAR REGARDING THE WEARING OF THIS. 3 OF THE 4 TIRES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IN THE INSIDE OF IT, YOU CAN SEE THE METAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278285
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.
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