FAILURE OF CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AT 27,000 MILES REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. *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
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.
What owners actually said
303 reportsPARKING BRAKE FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN SLIGHT DECLINE AND SLAMMED INTO A TRUCK. *TR
REAR CAMBER IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. *TR
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT EAGLE-RSA 205/50VR17 TIRES ON MY MAZDA 3- 5DOOR ARE SHOWING EXAGGERATED WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN IF I DO THE TREADWEAR CALCULATION, I SHOULD HAVE REACHED 18,720 MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. AT 17,MILES, THE TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS. EVEN BEFORE THAT, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS…
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ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT EAGLE-RSA 205/50VR17 TIRES ON MY MAZDA 3- 5DOOR ARE SHOWING EXAGGERATED WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN IF I DO THE TREADWEAR CALCULATION, I SHOULD HAVE REACHED 18,720 MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. AT 17,MILES, THE TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS. EVEN BEFORE THAT, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE EXTREMELY POOR WET AND SNOW TRACTION OF THE "ALL SEASON" TIRES. UNLESS IT IS DRY AND ABOVE 60 DEGREES, THESE TIRES HAVE LITTLE TO NO TRACTION. ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF MY STREET ON TWO RAINY DAYS HAS RESULTED IN UNNECESSARY WHEELSPIN AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS WAS BEFORE 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 18 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED WHEELSPIN IN THE RAIN WITH MY 1970 MERCURY WITH 300HP. AT A MINIMUM, GOODYEAR SHOULD BE HIT WITH A FALSE ADVERTISING SUIT FOR ADVERTISING THE EAGLE-RSA AS AN "ALL SEASON" TIRE. I AGREE WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINANT THAT GOODYEAR MIGHT BE INTENTIONALLY NOT GIVING WARRANTY'S FOR THE TIRES AGAINST WEAR BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PRODUCT WILL NOT LAST THAT LONG. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST SET OF GOODYEARS THAT HAVE NOT MADE IT TO THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY. I HAD ASKED THE DEALER TO SWITCH TIRES WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT ALL OF THE MAZDA3- 5DOORS ON THE LOT HAD THE SAME AWFUL TIRES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEARS OR A VEHICLE THAT HAS THEM AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. *TR
I OWN A MAZDA 3, PURCHASED 7/08, CAR HAS 20K MILES, THE GOODYEAR TIRES RSA 205-50R-17 NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECT IN A PART TO CORRECT A REAR CAMBER ISSUE, THE DEFECT CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND HAVE VERY LOW TREAD LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND ZONE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART BUT I AM HAVING DIFFICULTLY…
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I OWN A MAZDA 3, PURCHASED 7/08, CAR HAS 20K MILES, THE GOODYEAR TIRES RSA 205-50R-17 NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECT IN A PART TO CORRECT A REAR CAMBER ISSUE, THE DEFECT CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND HAVE VERY LOW TREAD LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND ZONE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART BUT I AM HAVING DIFFICULTLY HAVING THEM PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN EFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE PART THEREFORE THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THE FULL COST OF REPLACEMENT TIRES. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE REAR CAMBER PART ISSUE SINCE GOOD TIRES LEADS TO SAFETY. *TR
AFTER DRIVING ON SNOW COVERED ROAD, ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND ABS IS NON-OPERATIONAL. THE ABS WOULD RESUME FUNCTION AFTER AT LEAST 30-45 MIN OF DRIVING. DEALER STATED THAT SNOW BECAME TRAPPED IN ABS SENSOR BUT PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. ABS FAILURE OCCURRED 3-4 TIMES OVER THE PAST WINTER WHEN ABS WAS ESSENTIAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3 SEDAN. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE CAMBER CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND THE F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3 SEDAN. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE CAMBER CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,514. UPDATED 09/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/23/09
MAZDA 3 2008 PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND THE CAR ROLLED DOWN A SLOPE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3S IN OCTOBER 07 WITH TOYO TIRES. AT 12,000 MILES MY TIRES WERE DOWN TO SAFETY BAR...HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. THE TOYO TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE REAR CAMBER ON THE CAR WAS THE PROBLEM. MAZDA SAYS CAMBER CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. TOYO TIRE PEOPLE SAY THE PROBLEM IS THE AGGRESSIVE REAR CAMBER AND THA…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3S IN OCTOBER 07 WITH TOYO TIRES. AT 12,000 MILES MY TIRES WERE DOWN TO SAFETY BAR...HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. THE TOYO TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE REAR CAMBER ON THE CAR WAS THE PROBLEM. MAZDA SAYS CAMBER CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. TOYO TIRE PEOPLE SAY THE PROBLEM IS THE AGGRESSIVE REAR CAMBER AND THAT IS THE WAY MAZDA BUILT IT. I ONLY GOT 17,000 MILES ON NEW SET OF TIRES. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TRYING TO GET MAZDA TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEM ALWAYS SAYING THE CAMBER WAS WITHIN SPECS. THE DEALER FINALLY ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS THEIR DESIGN FLAW, THEY SHOULD PUT A DISCLAIMER WITH THE CAR AT TIME OF PURCHASE THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE TIRES EVERY 15,000 MILES. AFTER REVIEWING ON LINE, I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL BLOGS OF MAZDA OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO PROVIDE THE PART TO FIX THE CAR. WHO EXPECTS TO HAVE TO PURCHASE TIRES EVERY 15,000 MILES WHEN THEY ARE RATED FOR 40-60,000 MILES. AT THIS TIME, MY CAR WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE TIRES AND I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES. THIS IS WRONG....AND MAZDA NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS POOR ENGINEERING/DESIGN AND INFORM NEW BUYERS OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR CAR. MAZDA ACTS LIKE THIS IS NORMAL TIRE WEAR BECAUSE THE MAZDA 3S HAS "SPIRITED HANDLING". *TR
NO ACCIDENT - - THE CAMBER SETTING ON THE REAR WHEELS OF THE MAZDA 3 CAUSES EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. MAZDA DEALERS ACT LIKE THEY ARE UNAWARE AND BLAME POOR TIRE ROTATION. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETECT AS THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE LOOKS FINE, BUT THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WHERE THE CONTACT IS ACTUALLY BEING MADE IS…
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NO ACCIDENT - - THE CAMBER SETTING ON THE REAR WHEELS OF THE MAZDA 3 CAUSES EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. MAZDA DEALERS ACT LIKE THEY ARE UNAWARE AND BLAME POOR TIRE ROTATION. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETECT AS THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE LOOKS FINE, BUT THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WHERE THE CONTACT IS ACTUALLY BEING MADE IS SLICK AND MAY ACTUALLY LEAD TO A BLOW-OUT, THUS AN ACCIDENT. *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.
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