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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

67 reports
115,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

REAR SLIDER DOORS FREEZE SHUT. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR UNTIL IT'S ALREADY AN ISSUE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE REAR SLIDER DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM FREEZES IN 'OPEN' POSITION. IF THE DOOR IS ABLE TO BE OPENED AND NOT CLOSED, THE DOOR HAS TO BE TIED SHUT WITH BUNGEES. IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT NOTIC…

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REAR SLIDER DOORS FREEZE SHUT. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR UNTIL IT'S ALREADY AN ISSUE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE REAR SLIDER DOOR LATCHING MECHANISM FREEZES IN 'OPEN' POSITION. IF THE DOOR IS ABLE TO BE OPENED AND NOT CLOSED, THE DOOR HAS TO BE TIED SHUT WITH BUNGEES. IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT NOTICE THE OPEN DOOR LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER DOES NOT NOTICE THAT THE DOOR DID NOT CLOSE AND LATCH, THE DOOR WILL SLIDE OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THIS HAPPENED TO MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN 2013 AND MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19TH. THE 2006 MAZDA 5 WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON (4306K). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936186

120,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Structure

WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING, REAR SLIDING DOORS HAVE DIFFICULTY LATCHING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN'T BE PROPERLY CLOSED. THIS EXACT ISSUE IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL #06V463000 FOR WHICH MY VEHICLE'S VIN/YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SO I CAN HAVE THE ISSUE ADDRESSED BY THE DE…

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WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING, REAR SLIDING DOORS HAVE DIFFICULTY LATCHING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN'T BE PROPERLY CLOSED. THIS EXACT ISSUE IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL #06V463000 FOR WHICH MY VEHICLE'S VIN/YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SO I CAN HAVE THE ISSUE ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936154

120,000 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Suspension

GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDS LIKE A ROCK BANGING IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. IT TURNS OUT TO BE A BROKEN SHOCK MOUNT. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE THAT HAS BROKEN. ONE BROKE AT ~80,000 MILES AND NOW THIS AT ~120000. SEARCH THE INTERNET AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10746183

166,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER HEARD A BANG SOUND NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER HEARD A BANG SOUND NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A PRIVATE TOW COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722224

66,000 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST BY REDUCING MY ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MAZDA SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR SO THEY CANT HELP ME. MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRI…

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THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST BY REDUCING MY ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MAZDA SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR SO THEY CANT HELP ME. 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: 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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672636

76,000 miles · Sep 7, 2014
Seat Belts

REAR SEATBELT JAM AND WILL NOT UNLATCHED. SEATBELT LOCKUP AND CHILD WAS LOCK IN BELT AND HAD TO BE CAREFULLY PULLED FROM SEAT. SEAL BELT IS LOCK TO SEAT. CANNOT USED EXISTING BELT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631352

96,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MAZDA 5 AND STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT AS IT WAS RED. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATOR PADDLE, THE CAR STARTED GOING IN REVERSE DIRECTION. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND AGAIN THE CAR WAS GOING IN REVERSE. NO I DID NOT HAVE MY CAR ON REVERSE GEAR…

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I WAS DRIVING MAZDA 5 AND STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT AS IT WAS RED. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATOR PADDLE, THE CAR STARTED GOING IN REVERSE DIRECTION. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND AGAIN THE CAR WAS GOING IN REVERSE. NO I DID NOT HAVE MY CAR ON REVERSE GEAR, THE CAR WAS ON "D" DRIVE ALL THE TIME. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND OUT THE CAR ON "D" AND AGAIN THE CAR WENT ON REVERSE. I TRIED THIS PROCESS AGAIN, THIS TIME ALL THE CAR DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR DID NOT START. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911, ON 5TH JULY (SUNDAY) AROUND 3:00PM. MY CALL DETAILS CAN BE RECEIVED. I TOWED MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SUGGESTING ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR CAN NO WAY HAVE ENGINE FAILURE. IF IT WAS ENGINE FAILURE HOW CAN THE CAR GO ON REVERSE? I AM THANKFUL TO GOD THAT I DID NOT HIT THE CAR BEHIND I HAD A 4 YEAR OLD CHILD IN MY CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I WOULD SUGGEST PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THIS MAJOR ISSUE AS THIS CAN LEAD TO MAJOR ACCIDENTS. ALSO, I GOT IT SERVICED 3 MONTHS BACK AND NO ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED. I LIKE MAZDA 5 MINI VAN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS BUT THIS INCIDENT HAS GREAT SETBACK ABOUT MAZDA IN MY MIND. I ALSO HAVE MAZDA CX-7 THAT I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE. I CAN NEVER IMAGINE THE CAR GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE MODE. THIS IS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT IN THE CAR. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU. P.S. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS BETWEEN 0-5 MPH, THE SPEED WHEN YOU TAKE FOOT OF BRAKE AND PRESS SPEED ACCELERATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609712

90,000 miles · Feb 1, 2013
SuspensionWheels

MAZDA5 2008 WEARING INSIDE OF TIRES PREMATURELY AND CUPPING. OUTSIDE EDGE OF TIRES REPORTED TO STILL HAVE 15000 MILES LEFT OF USE. SECOND SET OF TIRES PURCHASED WITH SAME PROBLEM. GRINDING NOISE EVERY TIME DEALER ROTATED AND ALIGNED THE TIRES EVERY 5K MILES DURING OIL CHANGE. I WAS ACCUSED OF NOT ROTATING TIRES ENOUGH; HOWEVER, …

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MAZDA5 2008 WEARING INSIDE OF TIRES PREMATURELY AND CUPPING. OUTSIDE EDGE OF TIRES REPORTED TO STILL HAVE 15000 MILES LEFT OF USE. SECOND SET OF TIRES PURCHASED WITH SAME PROBLEM. GRINDING NOISE EVERY TIME DEALER ROTATED AND ALIGNED THE TIRES EVERY 5K MILES DURING OIL CHANGE. I WAS ACCUSED OF NOT ROTATING TIRES ENOUGH; HOWEVER, NOW THEY ADMIT THE ALIGNMENT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA5. DEALER ONLY RECOMMENDS I GET A "SPECIAL" GERMAN ENGINEERING STYLE ALIGNMENT THAT COSTS $89 EVERY 10K MILES. I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496132

60,000 miles · Jan 18, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY DUE TO THE FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY DUE TO THE FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10493434

18,549 miles · Jun 27, 2012
StructureVisibility

NOTICED THE SEAL THAT SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS AN 1/8 INCH OPENING, A BREAK IN THE SEAL LINING. ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP, IN MAY, DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEARD THIS POPPING NOISE, WE THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING WAS HITTING THE CAR TOP, APPARENTLY NOT, AS THE RIGHT WINDOW SEAL IS FURTHER STRETCHED OUT AND A BREAK …

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NOTICED THE SEAL THAT SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS AN 1/8 INCH OPENING, A BREAK IN THE SEAL LINING. ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP, IN MAY, DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEARD THIS POPPING NOISE, WE THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING WAS HITTING THE CAR TOP, APPARENTLY NOT, AS THE RIGHT WINDOW SEAL IS FURTHER STRETCHED OUT AND A BREAK HAS NOW OCCURRED. I AM CONCERNED THAT UNDER CONSISTENT USE AND PRESSURE THAT THE OPENING WILL CONTINUE TO STRETCH OUT EVEN FURTHER AFFECTING THE WINDSHIELD SECURITY AND THE DRIVER. MY MILEAGE IS LIMITED AND VERY LOW AT THIS TIME BUT VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463322

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.