← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Visibility complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2012
Visibility

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE OFF TRACK, WHEN ROLLED DOWN I CAN MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH BY PUSHING IT. WHEN YOU ROLL IT UP YOU HAVE TO FIRST PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE OR IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW GETS STUCK AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T ROLL DOWN. ON MAZDA FORUMS MANY, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT …

Read full complaint

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE OFF TRACK, WHEN ROLLED DOWN I CAN MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH BY PUSHING IT. WHEN YOU ROLL IT UP YOU HAVE TO FIRST PUSH IT BACK INTO PLACE OR IT MAKES A CRACKING NOISE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW GETS STUCK AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T ROLL DOWN. ON MAZDA FORUMS MANY, MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450751

30,000 miles · Oct 24, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE GROUND HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE GROUND HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 01/13/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A WIRE WAS FOUND NOT PROPERLY SECURED. UPDATED 01/19/12

NHTSA ODI #10432644

26,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Visibility

I OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3 AND LIKE OTHERS, I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WIPERS NOT WORKING WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD!! DURING A SNOW STORM AFTER TRAVELING SOME DISTANCE, THE WIPERS DECIDED NOT TO WORK. THEY JUST STOPPED. THEY WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING, SO I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE TO PICK ME UP AN HO…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3 AND LIKE OTHERS, I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE WIPERS NOT WORKING WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD!! DURING A SNOW STORM AFTER TRAVELING SOME DISTANCE, THE WIPERS DECIDED NOT TO WORK. THEY JUST STOPPED. THEY WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING, SO I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE TO PICK ME UP AN HOUR AWAY. HAD IT CHECKED AT MAZDA AND OF COURSE THEY WORKED THAT DAY. THEY HAVE SINCE STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN, AGAIN ON A LONGER TRIP AND DURING A THUNDERSTORM. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THIS 5 LANE HIGHWAY BEFORE GETTING KILLED!! I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING DURING THE RAIN. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I HAVE YET TO CALL MAZDA I AM UNDER WARRANTY AND HOPEFULLY THEN THIS WILL BE COVERED AND THEY WON'T HAVE SOME EXCUSE WHY IT ISN'T COVERED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10403919

53,000 miles · May 26, 2011
Visibility

WIPER MOTOR FAILURE, 2008 MAZDA 3 GRAND TOURING. WIPERS WORKING FINE AND IN A HEAVY STORM THEY DECIDED TO QUIT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PART AND CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS AN RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MAZDA. THIS NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSES THEIR LIFE OVER SOMETHING THAT C…

Read full complaint

WIPER MOTOR FAILURE, 2008 MAZDA 3 GRAND TOURING. WIPERS WORKING FINE AND IN A HEAVY STORM THEY DECIDED TO QUIT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PART AND CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS AN RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MAZDA. THIS NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSES THEIR LIFE OVER SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402896

56,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Visibility

2008 MAZDA 3 S GRAND TOURING - FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED DURING A RAINSTORM. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND ALL LOOKED GOOD. AFTER SPENDING MUCH TIME ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401278

40,987 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA3 FROM WORK IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A SERIOUS SITUATION SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WAS OBSTRUCTED BY RAIN. THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT ALONG THE ROADWAY UNTIL HOURS LATER WHEN IT STOPPED RAINING. IT WAS DETERMINED BY MECHANICS THAT IT WAS THE WIPER MOTOR AND IT HAS SINCE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA3 FROM WORK IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A SERIOUS SITUATION SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WAS OBSTRUCTED BY RAIN. THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT ALONG THE ROADWAY UNTIL HOURS LATER WHEN IT STOPPED RAINING. IT WAS DETERMINED BY MECHANICS THAT IT WAS THE WIPER MOTOR AND IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396076

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2011
Visibility

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA QUIT WORKING FOR NO GOOD REASON. IT HAPPENED DURING A THUNDERSTORM. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND FOUND IT TO BE IN WORKING ORDER. THE ONLY OTHER EXPLANATION WOULD BE THE MOTOR. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING MY CAR TOWED TO A DEALE…

Read full complaint

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA QUIT WORKING FOR NO GOOD REASON. IT HAPPENED DURING A THUNDERSTORM. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND FOUND IT TO BE IN WORKING ORDER. THE ONLY OTHER EXPLANATION WOULD BE THE MOTOR. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING MY CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. AND FROM READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WIPER MOTOR, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE MAZDA WILL INITIATE A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389630

40,092 miles · Mar 6, 2011
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED. AFTER SITTING BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES THEY DECIDED TO START AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE STOPPING AGAIN . AFTER READING OF THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING TO THE EXACT SAME YEAR, MAKE , AND MODEL, AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE IN A …

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED. AFTER SITTING BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES THEY DECIDED TO START AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE STOPPING AGAIN . AFTER READING OF THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING TO THE EXACT SAME YEAR, MAKE , AND MODEL, AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE IN A 1/2 DOZEN OTHER VEHICLES I EXPECT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR, OUT OF POCKET, AS THIS HAPPENS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386603

39,000 miles · Feb 11, 2011
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A SNOW FALL AND SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS NO ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD YET. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER SITTING IN THE WARM BAY OVERNIGHT THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I PICKED UP THE CAR THAT NIGHT AFTER SITTI…

Read full complaint

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A SNOW FALL AND SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS NO ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD YET. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER SITTING IN THE WARM BAY OVERNIGHT THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I PICKED UP THE CAR THAT NIGHT AFTER SITTING OUTSIDE AGAIN AND THEY FAILED TO WORK. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIPER MOTOR AND WOULD BE $350! THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD AND 39,000 MILES! THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THREAD WITH THE 2008 MAZDA 3S. THIS MOTOR SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE COLD AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD TO SUDDENLY STOP WORKING WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381525

47,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Visibility

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN. NOT ONLY WAS THIS DANGEROUS BUT ALSO SCARY AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AS I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE OF 285 IN ATLANTA TO THE CLOSEST EXIT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPL…

Read full complaint

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN. NOT ONLY WAS THIS DANGEROUS BUT ALSO SCARY AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AS I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE OF 285 IN ATLANTA TO THE CLOSEST EXIT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $340. I HAD MY LAST MAZDA FOR 9 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STALL OR JUST STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER WHEN ITS RAINING, WHICH IS REALLY DEFEATING THE PURPOSE. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THESE NONFUCTINING WIPER MOTORS WITH LESS THAN A 3 YEAR LIFE SPAN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!!!! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND I AM NOT SURE IF THE NEXT CAR I PURCHASE WILL BE A MAZDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366706

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.