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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.

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

What owners actually said

303 reports
24,334 miles · May 6, 2011
Steering

MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN A MAZDA RECALL OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED MY STEERING HAS PERFORMED IN AN ERRATIC, UNPREDICTABLE AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS MANNER. IN THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY AND BECAUSE NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED, NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER THIS DOES …

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MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN A MAZDA RECALL OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED MY STEERING HAS PERFORMED IN AN ERRATIC, UNPREDICTABLE AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS MANNER. IN THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY AND BECAUSE NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED, NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT NEGATE THE FACT THAT THE STEERING IS FAILING AND THAT MY SAFETY IS BEING COMPROMISED.

NHTSA ODI #10400177

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2011
TiresCrashInjury

2008 MAZDA3 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1 HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT CAUSING UNIT 1 TO LOSE CONTROL AND STRIKE THE MEDIA BARRIER. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0166-91)*JB UPDATED 05/11/11* BF

NHTSA ODI #10398959

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…

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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

61,400 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Tires

ON APRIL 8TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. AS SOON AS THE FILLING HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM FELL OUT INTO THE TIRE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. AFTER BRINGING THE TIRE TO GET REPAIRED, I W…

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ON APRIL 8TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. AS SOON AS THE FILLING HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM FELL OUT INTO THE TIRE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. AFTER BRINGING THE TIRE TO GET REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TPMS SENSOR WAS NO GOOD BECAUSE THE VALVE STEM IS CORRODED. IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT THE 3 OTHER WHEELS HAVE CORRODED VALVE STEMS AND THE NUTS THAT HOLD THEM IN PLACE ARE ALL CRACKED AND THAT IF THESE NUTS CRACK OFF THE VALVE STEM CAN FALL OFF RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ALUMINUM CAP CORRODING TO THE VALVE STEM FROM ROAD SALT. THE DEALER SAID "IT JUST HAPPENS" AND THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE SENSORS ARE MADE BY SIEMENS VDO. I AM JUST GLAD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS! NISSAN HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT TURNED INTO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395598

68,108 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Tires

TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394404

23,750 miles · Mar 30, 2011
SteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 ON I-75 ON 3/22/2011 WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I CONTINUED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY, STRUCK A ROAD SIGN, AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THIS ALL OCCURRED 12 DAYS AFTER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE RECALLE…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 ON I-75 ON 3/22/2011 WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I CONTINUED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY, STRUCK A ROAD SIGN, AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THIS ALL OCCURRED 12 DAYS AFTER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE RECALLED POWER STEERING PUMP. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN ONLY 12 DAYS AFTER THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND PUMP LINE WERE REPLACED. I WONDER IF THE PUMP HAD INDEED BEEN REPLACED OR IF A NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. OR MAYBE THE NEW PUMP IS JUST AS DEFECTIVE AS THE OLD PUMP!!! IT WILL COST $8,000-$10,000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $1,000 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. THE ONLY GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE SIDE IMPACT AND HEAD AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THAT I WAS NOT INJURED BADLY. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HOW THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS RECALL. I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS AND THERE IS NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393774

25,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WHEN VEHICLE IS STANDING STILL (STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC SIGNAL) HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL ENGINE REVS DOWN TO NORMAL RPMS, AND THEN PROCEED. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION (TOYOTA PRIUS). HAVE ELIMINATED "FLOOR MATS" OR FOOT SLIPPING ONTO GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392670

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2011
Steering

2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR THE POWER STEERING. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS TRIED TO OBTAIN REPAIR BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH DEALERS INFORMED HIM THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART, BUT HE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ONE DEALER AND IT TOOK OVER A MONTH FOR THE OTHER DEALER …

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2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR THE POWER STEERING. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS TRIED TO OBTAIN REPAIR BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH DEALERS INFORMED HIM THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART, BUT HE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ONE DEALER AND IT TOOK OVER A MONTH FOR THE OTHER DEALER TO CONTACT HIM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10391933

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…

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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 …

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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

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.