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2008 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2008 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

256 reports with mileage · 47 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 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports1 fire reports16 injury reports

Steering complaints

117 reports
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49,385 miles · May 17, 2010
Steering

WE BOUGHT OUR MAZDA 3 IN AUGUST OF 2008. WE LIVE IN CT AND MY SON GOES TO COLLEGE IN RI. HE HAS THE CAR WITH HIM. HE HAS COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT HE HAS NO POWER STEERING. JUST RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST ON I-95 WHEN HE WAS EXITING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT SEEMS MAZDA IS AWARE OF IT BUT HA…

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WE BOUGHT OUR MAZDA 3 IN AUGUST OF 2008. WE LIVE IN CT AND MY SON GOES TO COLLEGE IN RI. HE HAS THE CAR WITH HIM. HE HAS COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT HE HAS NO POWER STEERING. JUST RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST ON I-95 WHEN HE WAS EXITING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT SEEMS MAZDA IS AWARE OF IT BUT HAS NOT ORDERED A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330923

38,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING: (2 TIMES) -- ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAD LOST THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MAZDA 3. THE FIRST TIME WAS DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009. AFTER THE CAR WAS IDLING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I WENT TO DRIVE OFF AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED THE BELTS. EVERYTHING SEEMED …

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LOSS OF POWER STEERING: (2 TIMES) -- ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAD LOST THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MAZDA 3. THE FIRST TIME WAS DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009. AFTER THE CAR WAS IDLING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I WENT TO DRIVE OFF AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED THE BELTS. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I THEN STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS WORKING LIKE NORMAL. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN APRIL OF 2010. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR A LITTLE WHILE. AFTER THE TRAFFIC CLEARED I WAS GETTING UP TO SPEED AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER. STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE A FEW DAYS LATER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY STEERING INCIDENT. THEY LOOKED AT THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND NOTICED AN 'ISSUE.' THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR A FEW DAYS FOR THE NEW POWER STEERING COMPONENT PART TO COME IN. THEY REPLACED THE PART AND GAVE ME A LOANER VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328716

26,000 miles · May 1, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO STEER OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER. MAZDA IS REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AS THE CAR HAS ONLY 26,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328342

3,024 miles · Apr 17, 2010
Steering

2008 MAZDA 3, I WAS SIMPLY PARKED AND RESTARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL WITH "NEW" CARS (LESS THAN 12000 MILES). I WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND THERE IS A "NATIONAL BACKORD…

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2008 MAZDA 3, I WAS SIMPLY PARKED AND RESTARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL WITH "NEW" CARS (LESS THAN 12000 MILES). I WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND THERE IS A "NATIONAL BACKORDER" IN THEIR WORDS. IF THERE IS SO MANY PLACES ORDERING POWER STEERING PUMPS, ID THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326097

48,000 miles · Apr 8, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10324484

43,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Steering

WE OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3S, PURCHASED IN SUMMER, 2008. IT CURRENTLY HAS 43,000 MILES. RECENTLY, I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I HAD TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CAR WAS FINE, BUT THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE PS FAILED AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO K…

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WE OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3S, PURCHASED IN SUMMER, 2008. IT CURRENTLY HAS 43,000 MILES. RECENTLY, I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I HAD TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CAR WAS FINE, BUT THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE PS FAILED AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, EVEN WITHOUT INSPECTING MY CAR. WE WERE TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ELECTRIC CHARGER, AND ALL LINES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $950. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT MAZDA ISSUED A TSB ABOUT THIS. AS WE LOOKED FURTHER, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THIS CAR, WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AS EARLY AS MAY, 2009. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT THEIR CARS FOR MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE BACK-ORDERED. SOME PEOPLE STATED THAT THEIR DEALER TOLD THEM THERE WAS A BACKUP OF 600 ORDERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AS ACCIDENTS COULD OCCUR EASILY WITH SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF MAZDA'S LACK OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE, I HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT, IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, YOU WILL FIND NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND PEOPLE WHO WERE PLACED IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324401

42,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Steering

WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR AT EACH BRAKING INTERVAL. WAS READY TO MOVE AGAIN AND HEARD A FUNNY PLASTIC CLICK NOISE FROM THE FRONT. THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE LATCH TO STEERING WHEEL OR HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. WENT TO TURN THE WELL TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS THERE AND STEER…

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WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR AT EACH BRAKING INTERVAL. WAS READY TO MOVE AGAIN AND HEARD A FUNNY PLASTIC CLICK NOISE FROM THE FRONT. THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE LATCH TO STEERING WHEEL OR HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. WENT TO TURN THE WELL TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS THERE AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO STIFFEN EXTREMELY. AFTER A FEW SECONDS A WARNING LIGHT CAME UP IN THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS OF A STEERING WHEEL AND A EXCLAMATION MARK. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND ROUGHLY TURN THE WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT MEDIAN OUT OF TRAFFIC. WENT TO GLOVE BOX AND PULLED OUT VEHICLE MANUAL AND LOOKED UP THE WARNING INDICATOR THAT LIT. IT TELLS YOU TO PULL OVER AND PARK SAFELY AND TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF TO SEE IF THE WARNING WILL GO OUT OR STAY ON. I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND GAVE IT A FEW SECONDS AND TURNED IT BACK ON. IT WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE RECENTLY HEARD OF THIS ISSUE AND TO BRING IT IN SOMETIME THIS WEEK IF POSSIBLE. I TOLD THEM I WOULD BRING IT IN THAT MORNING. I TOOK IT TO THEM AND WHEN WAITING TO SIGN PAPERS AND TURN OVER MY KEYS WAS TOLD ANOTHER CUSTOMER IN FRONT OF ME WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REPAIRS ARE AT NO COST TO ME AND THEY OFFERED TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR DURING REPAIRS. ONE DAY TO HAVE REPAIR KIT DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324289

19,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Steering

1) STOPPED FOR FUEL. TURNED CAR OFF. EVERYTHING HAD BEEN OPERATING FINE UP TO THIS POINT. 2) TURNED CAR ON AFTER REFUELING. POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TRIED TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON TWO OR THREE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR OF DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING…

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1) STOPPED FOR FUEL. TURNED CAR OFF. EVERYTHING HAD BEEN OPERATING FINE UP TO THIS POINT. 2) TURNED CAR ON AFTER REFUELING. POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TRIED TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON TWO OR THREE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR OF DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING, STOPPED AGAIN FOR LUNCH. TURNED CAR OFF. 3) AFTER LUNCH, TURNED CAR ON. POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE ONCE AGAIN OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 8/2008. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318009

21,400 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING WAS CUTTING OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. DEALER HAS REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315633

10,500 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. VERY HARD TO STEER. MY YOUNG GRAND DAUGHTER ALMOST HAD A CRASH. POWER STEERING CUT OUT THREE TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT TO THE DEALER. (REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR -SEE 10315633 FROM THE SAME COMPLAINANT). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315623

Official recalls

2

11V329000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Jun 15, 2011

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 7, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, 2008. THE GROUND TERMINAL OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY BENT DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS THEN OVER TIME THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THE MOTOR CIRCUIT MAY INCREASE UP TO A POINT THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND HARNESS ON THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

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.