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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

222 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2009
Air Bags

DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING APROX 55MILES/HR ON THE FREEWAY. NO COLLISION. AFTER INSPECTION, MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS INSURANCE ISSUE NOT THEIRS. CONDUCTED MY OWN INVESTIGATION AND HIRED SPECIALISTS, RESULTS WERE THAT EDR (EVENT DATA RECOVERY SYSTEM) DOWNLOADED CODES FOR SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE DRIVER SIDE C…

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DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING APROX 55MILES/HR ON THE FREEWAY. NO COLLISION. AFTER INSPECTION, MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS INSURANCE ISSUE NOT THEIRS. CONDUCTED MY OWN INVESTIGATION AND HIRED SPECIALISTS, RESULTS WERE THAT EDR (EVENT DATA RECOVERY SYSTEM) DOWNLOADED CODES FOR SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN. CASE IS IN COURT. CAR HAS LESS THEN 25000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278039

14,630 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT. HAD TO WAIT OVER 2 WEEKS NOW FOR PARTS, 3 OTHER MAZDAS AT SAME DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR THE SAME PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273947

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MAZDA 3 BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 18,000. MECHANIC SAYS THE PADS WERE WORN THIN AND THE ROTORS WARPED. HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANY THING LINK THIS FOR A NEW LOW MILEAGE CAR. REPLACED THEM ON THE SPOT OUT OF FEAR FOR SAFETY. MAZDA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO WARPED ROTOR ISSUE AND NOT BLAME IT ON DRIVING AND BRAKING. ISN'T A CAR S…

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MAZDA 3 BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 18,000. MECHANIC SAYS THE PADS WERE WORN THIN AND THE ROTORS WARPED. HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANY THING LINK THIS FOR A NEW LOW MILEAGE CAR. REPLACED THEM ON THE SPOT OUT OF FEAR FOR SAFETY. MAZDA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO WARPED ROTOR ISSUE AND NOT BLAME IT ON DRIVING AND BRAKING. ISN'T A CAR SUPPOSE TO DRIVE AND BRAKE WHEN NECESSARY? ANY COMMENT FROM MAZDA ON RECALL WOULD HELP ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT BUYING THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267390

33,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER PASSENGER WERE ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER PASSENGER WERE ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10267114

32,500 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. ON AUGUST 29, 2008, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ON MARCH 27, 2009, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE MAKING A RIGH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA 3. ON AUGUST 29, 2008, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ON MARCH 27, 2009, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN, WHERE IT HAS REMAINED FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PARTS FOR THE SECOND TIME; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE WOULD LIKE MAZDA TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500. UPDATED 05/07/09. *LJ THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND MODULE ASSEMBLY. THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10264807

1,900 miles · Mar 30, 2009
Suspension

I BOUGHT A MAZDA 3 2007 ON APRIL 2007. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE ON JULY OF THAT YEAR. I REPORTED THIS TO THE AFTER-SERVICE DEALER, WHERE WE BUY THE CAR, BUT THEY COULDN'T FOUND WHAT MAKES THE NOISE. THE HAD TOLD ME THAT THEY CHANGED THE DAMPER (SHOCK-ABSORBER) AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT EACH TIME, THE NOISE CONTINUE THERE, IT S…

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I BOUGHT A MAZDA 3 2007 ON APRIL 2007. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE ON JULY OF THAT YEAR. I REPORTED THIS TO THE AFTER-SERVICE DEALER, WHERE WE BUY THE CAR, BUT THEY COULDN'T FOUND WHAT MAKES THE NOISE. THE HAD TOLD ME THAT THEY CHANGED THE DAMPER (SHOCK-ABSORBER) AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT EACH TIME, THE NOISE CONTINUE THERE, IT SOUNDS LIKE A 'CLAP' EACH TIME I PASS THROUGH A BRIM, OR JUST DRIVING. THEY SAID IT WAS THE SUSPENSION, THE DAMPERS, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. THE CAR STAYED SEVERAL DAYS AND SEVERAL TIMES AT THE AFTER-SERVICE OF THE CAR DEALER, AND THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT, SO WE DECIDED TO PROVE A NEW CAR-DEALER AFTER-SERVICE, AND WE TOOK THE CAR THERE SEVERAL TIME TOO. THIS LAST TIME, TIRED OF THEIR INEFFICIENCY, LACK OF COMPROMISE AND NON SERVICE CUSTOMER, WE DECIDED TO WRITE O MAZDA MEXICO, AND THEY HAVE THE CAR ON THE LAST CAR-DEALER WHERE WE TOOK THE CAR THE LAST TIME, IT'S GOING TO BE THE THIRD TIME DURING MARCH, THAT MY CAR IS THERE, THEY COULDN'T FIX IT, AND TODAY THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE STILL REVIEWING IT, AND THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT THAT COULD BE HAPPENING. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO WE ARE TRYING TO EXPRESS THIS ISSUE IN ALL THE FORUMS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ON THIS, BECAUSE I READ THAT YOU SEND THE FAILURES TO SEVERAL COUNTRIES, WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263672

37,000 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Suspension

I HAVE HAD THE DEALER REPLACE FRONT END PARTS 2 TIMES. FIRST THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS. THEN THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ALSO PART OF THE FRONT END. THE CAR IS 2007 WITH 37,000 MILES. I HAVE OTHER CARS WITH OVER 100,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ANY OF THESE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260602

16,600 miles · Nov 26, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1. NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING, CURRENT MILEAGE JUST UNDER 16,700. 2. OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ABOVE 40 MPH AND THEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR SHIMMYS HARD (STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND SO DOES BRAKING FOOT AS IT IS APPLYING BRAKES) 3. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT …

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1. NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING, CURRENT MILEAGE JUST UNDER 16,700. 2. OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ABOVE 40 MPH AND THEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR SHIMMYS HARD (STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND SO DOES BRAKING FOOT AS IT IS APPLYING BRAKES) 3. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AS THE CAR HAS MORE THAN 12,000 MILES. DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED FOR $189. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA WITH MANY ROTORS WARPING WELL UNDER THE 12,000 MILE THRESHOLD ON THE WARRANTY. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED "WARPED ROTORS". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249952

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2008
Suspension

FOUND TIRE WEAR ON INSIDE OF BOTH REAR TIRES. TOOK TO DEALER TO ALIGN REAR END. SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ALIGN REAR WHEELS. HOWEVER I COULD BUY A KIT FROM THE INTERNET THAT WHEN INSTALLED WOULD ALLOW THE REAR WHEELS TO BE ALIGNED. COST TO ME WOULD BE $500.00. CALLED MAZDA TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAY IT IS OK. HOW…

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FOUND TIRE WEAR ON INSIDE OF BOTH REAR TIRES. TOOK TO DEALER TO ALIGN REAR END. SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ALIGN REAR WHEELS. HOWEVER I COULD BUY A KIT FROM THE INTERNET THAT WHEN INSTALLED WOULD ALLOW THE REAR WHEELS TO BE ALIGNED. COST TO ME WOULD BE $500.00. CALLED MAZDA TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAY IT IS OK. HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT RUNNING YOUR CAR ON THE INSIDE TREAD OF YOUR TIRES IS A SAFETY HAZARD. TIRES ARE DESIGNED TO RUN ON THE FLAT BOTTOM AND NOT ON THE INSIDE EDGE. MAZDA SAID THE REAR END WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY FOR STABILITY. I KNOW OF NO OTHER CAR MADE TODAY THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ALIGN THE REAR END SO THAT THE TIRES WILL RUN FLAT ON THE ROAD. HAVING TALKED TO MAZDA I AM SURE THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE MANUFACTURE DEFECT UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED. AND I HOPE YOU DO BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT FROM A BLOWN TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249901

63,456 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2007 MAZDA 3 GAS CAP VEHICLE FAILED STATE CAR INSPECTION. PARTS DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIPS HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING PART IN STOCK. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT MAZDA UPDATED GAS CAP IN END OF 2007 KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT.. TALKED TO SERVICE DEPT, EVERY 2007 MAZDA 3 THAT IS NOW GOING THROUGH IT'S FIRST INSPECTION …

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2007 MAZDA 3 GAS CAP VEHICLE FAILED STATE CAR INSPECTION. PARTS DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIPS HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING PART IN STOCK. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT MAZDA UPDATED GAS CAP IN END OF 2007 KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT.. TALKED TO SERVICE DEPT, EVERY 2007 MAZDA 3 THAT IS NOW GOING THROUGH IT'S FIRST INSPECTION HAS FAILED. COULD CAUSE ENGINE PROBLEMS IN FUTURE. MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE GAP, ONLY SELL NEW ONES. MAZDA HAS NOT NOTIFIED OWNERS OF PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246373

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.