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2009 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

97 reports with mileage · 18 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

115 reports
9,000 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Electrical System

PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 7/09. ON 1/6/10, VEHICLE FAILED TO START, AT FIRST CRANKING WITH NO ENGINE START THEN COMPLETE DISCHARGE OF SYSTEMS (NO CRANKING, NO BATTERY POWER WHATSOEVER). BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "MAIN RELAY" WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS THE REASON BATTERY WAS NOT HOLDING ITS CHARGE. RELAY WAS REPLACED. SAME EVENT…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 7/09. ON 1/6/10, VEHICLE FAILED TO START, AT FIRST CRANKING WITH NO ENGINE START THEN COMPLETE DISCHARGE OF SYSTEMS (NO CRANKING, NO BATTERY POWER WHATSOEVER). BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "MAIN RELAY" WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS THE REASON BATTERY WAS NOT HOLDING ITS CHARGE. RELAY WAS REPLACED. SAME EVENTS AGAIN OCCURRED ON 3/3/10. CAR REMAINS IN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR. CAR REMAINS INOPERABLE WHEN THESE EVENTS OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317227

39,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
SeatsInjury

TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2009 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, HE EXPERIENCED NUMBNESS IN HIS LEFT ARM UP TO HIS FINGERS BECAUSE HE LEFT HIS ELBOW ON THE ARM REST. A DOCTOR TOLD HIM THAT HE MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOOD CLOT. HE FELT THAT THE ARM REST MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HARD. HE EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER AND I…

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TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2009 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, HE EXPERIENCED NUMBNESS IN HIS LEFT ARM UP TO HIS FINGERS BECAUSE HE LEFT HIS ELBOW ON THE ARM REST. A DOCTOR TOLD HIM THAT HE MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOOD CLOT. HE FELT THAT THE ARM REST MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HARD. HE EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #10316767

15,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON 2009 MAZDA M3. HAD TWO OCCURRENCES, AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. AUTO WAS CHECKED VIA COMPUTER AND I WAS BASICALLY ACCUSED OF BEING DISHONEST. 1 MONTH LATER, WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP THE POWER STEERING AGAIN WENT OUT (CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH), TOOK A PICTURE OF DASHBOARD TO ELIMINATE BEING DISMISSED B…

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POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON 2009 MAZDA M3. HAD TWO OCCURRENCES, AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. AUTO WAS CHECKED VIA COMPUTER AND I WAS BASICALLY ACCUSED OF BEING DISHONEST. 1 MONTH LATER, WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP THE POWER STEERING AGAIN WENT OUT (CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH), TOOK A PICTURE OF DASHBOARD TO ELIMINATE BEING DISMISSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE ANOTHER APPT WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315600

200 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Visibility

DEFECTIVE VIBRATING DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR AT ANY TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TRAFFIC ON DRIVER'S SIDE APPEARS BLURRY AND DISTORTED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PROBLEM PERSISTS EVEN AFTER NEW MIRROR INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313944

18,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SEVERE STEERING SHAKE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 14 MOS. OLD WITH 18,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310347

10,000 miles · Dec 9, 2009
Tires

GOODYEAR TIRE EAGLE RS TIRE IN LIGHT SNOW / WET WEATHER CONDITIONS, NEW 2009 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. TIRES ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE IN LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AT 20MPH. CAR ABS WAS ACTIVATED BUT I STILL SKIDDED ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR AS IT WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT IN FRON…

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GOODYEAR TIRE EAGLE RS TIRE IN LIGHT SNOW / WET WEATHER CONDITIONS, NEW 2009 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. TIRES ARE TOTALLY INADEQUATE IN LIGHT SNOW CONDITIONS. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHILE I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AT 20MPH. CAR ABS WAS ACTIVATED BUT I STILL SKIDDED ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR AS IT WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I AM FORCED TO HAVE TO REPLACE THESE TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295096

29,700 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH A TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVING 45 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOTIFIED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH A TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVING 45 MPH CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE NOTIFIED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,700.

NHTSA ODI #10288947

29,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY SON WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (T-BONED) AND NO SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287069

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2009
Tires

SAME ISSUE AS OTHER STATED. THESE TIRES PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO TRACTION ON ICE OR SNOW. I HAVE OWNED EIGHT MAZDAS AND NEVER HAD ON ISSUE LIKE THIS WITH ANY, I HAVE HAD VEHICLES OF VARIOUS SIZES. THESE TIRES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP WITH INABILITY TO SLOW AND STOP, AND TAKE OFF TR…

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SAME ISSUE AS OTHER STATED. THESE TIRES PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO TRACTION ON ICE OR SNOW. I HAVE OWNED EIGHT MAZDAS AND NEVER HAD ON ISSUE LIKE THIS WITH ANY, I HAVE HAD VEHICLES OF VARIOUS SIZES. THESE TIRES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP WITH INABILITY TO SLOW AND STOP, AND TAKE OFF TRACTION IS NO BETTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277097

22,240 miles · Jul 1, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO PERFORM CORRECTLY WI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO PERFORM CORRECTLY WITHOUT ANY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURED THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL BE READY. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,240 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,270.

NHTSA ODI #10275422

Official recalls

3

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.

09V187000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

May 29, 2009

MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,100 MY 2009 MAZDA3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM". THE YAW RATE MEASURED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SINE WITH DWELL STEERING INPUT EXCEEDED THE TEST STANDARDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA 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.