IllustrationTHE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 SUDDENLY GAVE OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND THE POWER STEERING FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. RE-STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHILE MERGING THROUGH TRAFFIC. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
8925–50K
4050–75K
3475–100K
25100–150K
6150K+
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 reportsDRIVING HOME FROM WORK, APPROX. 20 MILE DRIVE, WHEN 5 MILES FROM HOME THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. LOOKED AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL, RECOMMENDED SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTING. DID THAT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. H…
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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, APPROX. 20 MILE DRIVE, WHEN 5 MILES FROM HOME THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. LOOKED AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL, RECOMMENDED SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTING. DID THAT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THEN. MAY HAVE DEALER LOOK AT IT AND TRY TO GET THEM TO REPLACE DUE TO RECENT NEWS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
I DRIVE A 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HOT DAY (ABOUT 95 DEGREES) AND THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. THE CAR'S EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING FAILURE INDICATOR LIGHT AND IT DID NOT TURN ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED UNDER VERY SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CAR…
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I DRIVE A 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HOT DAY (ABOUT 95 DEGREES) AND THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. THE CAR'S EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING FAILURE INDICATOR LIGHT AND IT DID NOT TURN ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED UNDER VERY SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CAR WORKED FINE AFTER BEING PARKED IN A GARAGE FOR 24HRS OR SO WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED LAST TIME. UPDATED 08/19/10*BF UPDATED IVOQ 08/23/10*JB *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO A PARKING LOT UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO A PARKING LOT UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT POWER STEERING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR PART ARRIVAL DATE WOULD BE JULY 29, 2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/1610
SITTING IN PARKING LOT, ENGINE AND A/C ON, THEN TRIED TO PULL OUT, POWER STEERING FAILED; HAD TO WAIT ONE HOUR FOR CAR TO COOL BEFORE THE STEERING CAME BACK ON. *TR THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED, COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA 3'S APPARENTLY. AT LEAST IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE ROAD.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT RUSH HOUR AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SECONDS I LOST POWER STEERING AND MY CAR WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER OFF OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE CALLED TODAY TO SAY THAT THE LIGHT IS OUT NOW AND THE CAR IS DRIVING FINE. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. MY CAR ONLY HAS…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT RUSH HOUR AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SECONDS I LOST POWER STEERING AND MY CAR WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER OFF OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE CALLED TODAY TO SAY THAT THE LIGHT IS OUT NOW AND THE CAR IS DRIVING FINE. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. MY SISTER ALSO HAS A 2008 MAZDA3 AND SHE ALSO HAD POWER STEERING FAILURE LAST YEAR AT 35,000 MILES WHICH THE DEALERSHIP FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! *TR
2008 MAZDA 3I. STEERING COLUMN SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS (60 MPH). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT ACCELERATED WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND MOVE FORWARD. WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, IT LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE DR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT ACCELERATED WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND MOVE FORWARD. WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, IT LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT REALIZE IT SINCE IT MADE SUCH A MINIMAL IMPACT. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO SEE IF THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND IT DID NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,600.
POWER STEERING ON 2008 MAZDA 3 WENT OUT AND INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. FLUID LEVEL IS GOOD AND VEHICLE HAS 33,000 MILES (ORIGINAL OWNER). FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING LOW SPEED AND CLOSE TO HOME AS IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. STARTED THE VEHICLE TODAY AND THE PROBLEM IS GONE. NOTED SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS …
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POWER STEERING ON 2008 MAZDA 3 WENT OUT AND INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. FLUID LEVEL IS GOOD AND VEHICLE HAS 33,000 MILES (ORIGINAL OWNER). FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING LOW SPEED AND CLOSE TO HOME AS IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. STARTED THE VEHICLE TODAY AND THE PROBLEM IS GONE. NOTED SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SO I WANT TO ENSURE NHTSA KNOWS ABOUT IT. WILL BE TAKING TO THE DEALER NEXT. *TR
THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT ON MY 2008 MAZDA-3. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE LITTLE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON, AND ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER MY CAR. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN IM DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH FOR SOME REASON. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A WRECK. MY CAR IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD AND I…
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THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT ON MY 2008 MAZDA-3. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE LITTLE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON, AND ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER MY CAR. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN IM DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH FOR SOME REASON. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A WRECK. MY CAR IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD AND IT DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOTHING I DID TO IT. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I TOOK MY MAZDA INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY NOT ONLY SEEMED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT (AS IF THEY'VE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN ONCE) BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO 'OFFICIAL' RECALL AS OF YET. THEN THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS COST ME $800-900 TO FIX. I REALLY CANT AFFORD TO PAY THAT OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO! I AM 26 YEARS OLD & BOUGHT THAT CAR UNDER THE ASSUMPTION OF GETTING MANY GOOD YEARS OUT OF IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. ITS BEEN A GREAT CAR AND I REALLY LIKE (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITS RECENT POWER STEERING PROBLEM AS FORMENTIONED). PLEASE HELP! *TR
Official recalls
211V329000 · 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
1PE10021 · 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.