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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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68,000 miles · Apr 4, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

AEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2008 MAZDA3..... HOWEVER MY VIN ISNT ASSOSIATED WITH ANY AND I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMA. POWER STEERINGS UNIT STRIPPED2 OR THE 3 BOLTS HOLES ANS FELL DOWN FROM CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS SLIGHT RATTLING..... STATIONARY AND MOVING. IDLE IS AT 500-1,000 RPMS VERY ODD FEELING. RANDOM BODY DAMAGE AND ENTIRE OF BOTTOM EN…

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AEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2008 MAZDA3..... HOWEVER MY VIN ISNT ASSOSIATED WITH ANY AND I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMA. POWER STEERINGS UNIT STRIPPED2 OR THE 3 BOLTS HOLES ANS FELL DOWN FROM CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS SLIGHT RATTLING..... STATIONARY AND MOVING. IDLE IS AT 500-1,000 RPMS VERY ODD FEELING. RANDOM BODY DAMAGE AND ENTIRE OF BOTTOM ENGINE RUSTY.... PAINT RUSTS AS WELL. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ON FINANCE AND REALLY NEED SOME HELP

NHTSA ODI #10970397

90,000 miles · Feb 7, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT DEALERS WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER REPORTEDLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT DEALERS WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER REPORTEDLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND LINES, AND THAT REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DISCREPANCY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10950170

118,000 miles · May 23, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10870348

79,352 miles · Jan 27, 2016
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS SEIZED INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING HAD EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT, WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,352.

NHTSA ODI #10822548

50 miles · Oct 27, 2015
SteeringCrash

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS CURVING TO THE RIGHT. CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND RAN ALONG A RAIL UNTIL THE I BRAKED THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. LAST YEAR I HAD THE MAZDA SERVICED WHICH THEY HAD FIXED THE RECALL SUPPOSEDLY. BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME TH…

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STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS CURVING TO THE RIGHT. CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND RAN ALONG A RAIL UNTIL THE I BRAKED THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. LAST YEAR I HAD THE MAZDA SERVICED WHICH THEY HAD FIXED THE RECALL SUPPOSEDLY. BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. I MAY NOT BE LUCKY THE NEXT TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10786415

87,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FENCE AND THE MILE MARKER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FENCE AND THE MILE MARKER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748152

145,500 miles · Jul 25, 2015
Steering

ON ABOUT JULY 16, 2015 THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY TO STEER VEHICLE. I CALLED MAZDA DEALER TO EXPLAIN FAILURE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD REPAIR UNDER RECALL. THEY SAID MAZDA WOULD ONLY HONOR RECALL REPAIR ONCE. I DO NOT BELIEVE MAZDA REPAIRED THE ISSUE. I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO PROVIDE A FIX THAT PRE…

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ON ABOUT JULY 16, 2015 THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY TO STEER VEHICLE. I CALLED MAZDA DEALER TO EXPLAIN FAILURE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD REPAIR UNDER RECALL. THEY SAID MAZDA WOULD ONLY HONOR RECALL REPAIR ONCE. I DO NOT BELIEVE MAZDA REPAIRED THE ISSUE. I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO PROVIDE A FIX THAT PREVENTS THIS FAILURE FROM REOCCURRING. NOTE: ON 1/27/2011 I HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE REGARDING POWER STEERING. VEHICLE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED BY BYERS MAZDA IN COLUMBUS OHIO AND ROAD TESTED TO CONFIRM REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10743481

78,000 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FLUID LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FLUID LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE PARTS AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIR. UPDATED 12/10/15*JS

NHTSA ODI #10733564

50,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Steering

THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS RENDERING THE CAR TOTALLY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS CHANGED SOME MONTHS AGO BUT THE STEERING LOCK UP HAPPENED AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 AFTER THAT FIX. WE WERE TOLD THE POWER STEERING FIX SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #10733036

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10683900

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.