← New search

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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all MAZDA5 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

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

What owners actually said

67 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2024
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation Also vibration in the steering wheel, and when I mean, the steering logs all the way up it locks all t…

Read full complaint

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation Also vibration in the steering wheel, and when I mean, the steering logs all the way up it locks all the way up, likes flicker and go out, but then it goes away after a few moments

NHTSA ODI #11586233

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
Steering

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation even more dangerous. The Mazda 5 is available for inspection upon request. My daughters life was pu…

Read full complaint

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation even more dangerous. The Mazda 5 is available for inspection upon request. My daughters life was put at risk when the steering fails intermittently potentially causing damage to the car, other vehicles, and injury or death of pedestrians. The car has not been repaired or inspected at this point. There is no warning before the power steering fails. The power steering indicator light is illuminated and occasionally also the check engine light when the power steering failure causes the engine to stall as well. The first occurrence of the issue was January 17, 2022, while my daughter was driving the vehicle. The vehicle recall history shows the power steering had been repaired previously for the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11449859

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2021
Tires

We bought 4 of these tires 1/23/2018. The first failed within 3 months (passenger rear). The tire distributor no longer carried them, so we fit the next best ... a different Primewell. Now, the driver side front tire has developed a bulge where the tread and sidewall meet - similar to the first failure. We cannot drive it and - …

Read full complaint

We bought 4 of these tires 1/23/2018. The first failed within 3 months (passenger rear). The tire distributor no longer carried them, so we fit the next best ... a different Primewell. Now, the driver side front tire has developed a bulge where the tread and sidewall meet - similar to the first failure. We cannot drive it and - still - the distributor no longer carries THAT tire. We have - as of 9/1/2021 driven the car a TOTAL of less than 14,000 miles since the purchase. The 50K warranty was ignored in the first failure; and we have been told that it is irrelevant in this second one. The size is 205/50R17 for both - all four. Both tires were continuously losing air and had to start carrying a portable air pump. Just noticed this weekend that the driver side tire was ONCE AGAIN low on air. When I went to fill it, noticed the bulge. Do not know hoe long ot has been there ... just noticed it this weekend.

NHTSA ODI #11431413

179,889 miles · Aug 6, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LOST CONTROL AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-2284518588. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LOST CONTROL AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-2284518588. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,889.

NHTSA ODI #11242105

149,000 miles · May 17, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11208333

162,000 miles · Jun 21, 2018
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I BOUGHT 4 KUMHO TIRES SIZED 205 50R17 FOR THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. IN AUGUST OF 2017, AT ABOUT 25000 MILES ON THE TIRES, ONE OF THEM DEVELOPED WHAT WE LATER LEARNED WAS A BELT SEPARATION. THE SYMPTOMS WERE A SEVERE VIBRATION, AND SEVERE PULL. WE REPLACED TWO OF THE TIRES. 10 MONTHS LATER THE CAR DEVELOPED EXACTLY THE …

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT 4 KUMHO TIRES SIZED 205 50R17 FOR THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. IN AUGUST OF 2017, AT ABOUT 25000 MILES ON THE TIRES, ONE OF THEM DEVELOPED WHAT WE LATER LEARNED WAS A BELT SEPARATION. THE SYMPTOMS WERE A SEVERE VIBRATION, AND SEVERE PULL. WE REPLACED TWO OF THE TIRES. 10 MONTHS LATER THE CAR DEVELOPED EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ANOTHER OF THE TIRES HAD A BELT SEPARATION. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. I CALLED KUMHO TO REPORT THE ISSUE, AS THEY CLEARLY HAD A BAD RUN OF TIRES FOR ME TO HAVE TO OUT OF ONE SET. THE PERSON ANSWERING THE PHONE (WARRANTY DEPARTMENT) INSISTED THAT 'BELT SEPARATIONS ARE COMMON', THAT THE RECENT RECALL WAS A "VOLUNTARY RECALL BECAUSE THE ENGINEERS JUST WANTED TO SEE THE TIRES'. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN THEIR SAFETY OR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS. SHE SAID "WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE LIKE THAT".

NHTSA ODI #11103068

141,000 miles · May 11, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #11093335

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

2008 MAZDA 5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS AND THE OIL ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE WHEEL RIMS CORRODED INTERNALLY, ALLOWING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. UPDATED 08/23/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11005668

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2017
Steering

STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STEERING GETS HEAVY

NHTSA ODI #10983817

130,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Structure

REAR SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES THEY OPEN FINE AND THEN WILL NOT CLOSE, MEANING THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND CAN COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT LOCK OR ALLOW SETTING THE ALARM FUNCTION WHEN PARKING. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE COLD,HAVING TWO KIDS THAT RIDE IN THE BACK MY DOORS SHOULD NO COME…

Read full complaint

REAR SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES THEY OPEN FINE AND THEN WILL NOT CLOSE, MEANING THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND CAN COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT LOCK OR ALLOW SETTING THE ALARM FUNCTION WHEN PARKING. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE COLD,HAVING TWO KIDS THAT RIDE IN THE BACK MY DOORS SHOULD NO COME OPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10944381

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.