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2008 Mazda MAZDA5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 37.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

60 reports with mileage · 7 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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Steering complaints

37 reports
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33,200 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Steering

I WAS SITTING IN VERY SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC ON A SURFACE STREET, TRAVELED 1/4 MILE IN APPROXIMATELY A 45 MINUTE TIME SPAN. AS I TURNED RIGHT ON TO A NEW STREET I NOTICED THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE PARKING LOT TO MY LEFT. IT TOOK GREAT STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL TO MAKE THE LEFT HAN…

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I WAS SITTING IN VERY SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC ON A SURFACE STREET, TRAVELED 1/4 MILE IN APPROXIMATELY A 45 MINUTE TIME SPAN. AS I TURNED RIGHT ON TO A NEW STREET I NOTICED THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE PARKING LOT TO MY LEFT. IT TOOK GREAT STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL TO MAKE THE LEFT HAND TURN. I STOPPED THE CAR, CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID. IT WAS AT PROPER LEVEL. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND STILL NO POWER STEERING. AFTER SITTING FOR APPROCIMATELY 15 MINUTES. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM READING SEVERAL REPORTS OF SIMILAR INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE UNDER SIMILAR CIRUMSTANCES.

NHTSA ODI #10322152

53,000 miles · Mar 20, 2010
Steering

2008 MAZDA5 WITH 55,000MI (90% HIGHWAY DRIVEN). WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH IN TOWN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I NOTICED THE STEERING FAILURE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. PULLED TO A SAFE LOCATION AND CALLED MY DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS A VOLTAGE TRIP AND IF I TURNED O…

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2008 MAZDA5 WITH 55,000MI (90% HIGHWAY DRIVEN). WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH IN TOWN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I NOTICED THE STEERING FAILURE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. PULLED TO A SAFE LOCATION AND CALLED MY DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS A VOLTAGE TRIP AND IF I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT WOULD RESET AND WORK AGAIN. THE STEERING DID WORK AFTER I STARTED THE ENGINE AND I HAVE DRIVEN ABOUT 200 MILES WITH NO OTHER OCCURRENCE. ON FRIDAY I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM THEY INDICATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY PUMP AND A LENGTH OF HOSE. WHY THE HOSE TOO? ITS 6,000MI OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER SOME INTERNET SLEUTHING, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT MAZDA IS NOT DEALING WITH RESPONSIBLY. HARD TO IMAGINE THEY ARE NOT LEARNING FROM TOYOTA'S AND HONDA'S EXPERIENCE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THIS FAILURE OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVEN BY AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER. NOT SURE ABOUT NOW BUT MANY OWNERS EARLIER IN 2010 WERE HAVING TO WAIT OVER 5 WEEKS TO GET A REPLACEMENT PUMP DUE TO A BACKORDER ISSUE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT MAZDA IS NOT PROACTIVELY DOING A VOLUNTARY RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SUGGEST TO MAZDA THAT REPLACING THE FAULTY PUMPS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IS GOOD FOR SAFETY AND GOOD FOR BUSINESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321173

22,950 miles · Mar 6, 2010
Steering

PARKED INTO PARKING SPACE, WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK UP AND DRIVE AWAY THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND AN ORANGE CAUTION LIGHT TURNED ON MY DASH BOARD, THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK DURING THE DRIVE HOME. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA 5. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317379

23,000 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL IN A PARKING GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317261

8,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITH DIFFICULTY TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR 30 MINUTES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITH DIFFICULTY TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR 30 MINUTES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE REPLACING ANY PARTS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 10,000. UPDATED 03/16/10 *BF UPDATED 07/12/10. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10311283

31,000 miles · Jun 11, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT SPORADICALLY. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE OCCASIONS SO FAR IN THE PAST YEAR THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT ON MY MAZDA 5. TWICE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WAIT TEN SECONDS AND RESTART THE CAR AND IT RESET. ONCE IT TOOK TWO HOURS OF SITTING OFF BEFORE IT RESET ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273527

15,000 miles · Jun 2, 2009
Steering

DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS OF A 4 HOUR DRIVE, POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE. I WAS STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND WENT TO PULL OUT WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT HAD NOT HAPPENED BEFORE AND 24 HOURS LATER IT WAS WORKING AGAIN. MAZDA HAS TAKEN MY CAR FOR REPAIR AND HAS GIVEN ME A RENTAL CAR. HOWEVER DUE TO THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH THIS HAS…

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DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS OF A 4 HOUR DRIVE, POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE. I WAS STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND WENT TO PULL OUT WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT HAD NOT HAPPENED BEFORE AND 24 HOURS LATER IT WAS WORKING AGAIN. MAZDA HAS TAKEN MY CAR FOR REPAIR AND HAS GIVEN ME A RENTAL CAR. HOWEVER DUE TO THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO THE MAZDA 5 THE PARTS (PUMP AND PIPE) ARE ON BACK ORDER AND MY CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED AND RETURNED FOR 15 WEEKS. IF I WERE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF MY CAR I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER THAT MAZDA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENT IF IT IS CAUSED BY THE PART FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272691

Official recalls

1

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.