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2007 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

183 reports with mileage · 39 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 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

222 reports
81,000 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Air BagsCrash

I WAS ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY IN WESTERN NY WHEN I CAUGHT BLACK ICE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-55 MPH/ THE CAR WENT INTO A SLIDE WHICH I ALMOST CORRECTED OUT OF BUT HIT MORE BLACK ICE SENDING ME INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS SMASHED AND I CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FT FROM WHERE I IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL. NO AIR BAGS W…

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I WAS ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY IN WESTERN NY WHEN I CAUGHT BLACK ICE. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-55 MPH/ THE CAR WENT INTO A SLIDE WHICH I ALMOST CORRECTED OUT OF BUT HIT MORE BLACK ICE SENDING ME INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS SMASHED AND I CAME TO REST ABOUT 25 FT FROM WHERE I IMPACTED THE GUARDRAIL. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND I WAS NOT HURT. BUT AT THAT SPEED THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I'M NOT SEEKING ANY COMPENSATION BUT FROM DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH I AM FINDING THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN A FEW TIMES. MAYBE A RECALL IS IN ORDER FOR THE 2007 MAZDA 3 4 DR SEDAN IS IN ORDER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373249

43,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA3 AND THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING: I LOSE POWER-STEERING ASSIST, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, THE DASHBOARD RESETS, AND EITHER A FAN OR MOTOR WEARS DOWN. AFTER A SHORT STUTTER IT ALL COMES BACK WITHOUT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST REMAINED OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHIL…

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I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA3 AND THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING: I LOSE POWER-STEERING ASSIST, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, THE DASHBOARD RESETS, AND EITHER A FAN OR MOTOR WEARS DOWN. AFTER A SHORT STUTTER IT ALL COMES BACK WITHOUT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST REMAINED OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHILE FUELING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370933

28,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Tires

OUR 2007 MAZDA S 2.3L 5 DOOR SEDAN BOUGHT NEW CAME WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA 205/50R17 TIRES. WE MAINTAIN THIS CAR WELL AND REGULARLY. MARCH/APRIL 2008 WITH 28,000 MILES WE EXPERIENCED A TIRE FAILURE. THREAD SEPARATION, PROGRESSIVE HARD FLAPPING NOISE, AND AIR PRESSURE LOSS. TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR TIRE AND WE WERE TOLD THE TIRE FAI…

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OUR 2007 MAZDA S 2.3L 5 DOOR SEDAN BOUGHT NEW CAME WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA 205/50R17 TIRES. WE MAINTAIN THIS CAR WELL AND REGULARLY. MARCH/APRIL 2008 WITH 28,000 MILES WE EXPERIENCED A TIRE FAILURE. THREAD SEPARATION, PROGRESSIVE HARD FLAPPING NOISE, AND AIR PRESSURE LOSS. TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR TIRE AND WE WERE TOLD THE TIRE FAILED, THREAD SEPARATION, AND ANOTHER TIRE TOO HAD SAME PROBLEM. WE BOUGHT TWO REPLACEMENT NEW TIRES. SEPT 2010 WITH 53,000 MILES THE OTHER TWO ORIGINAL TIRES ARE FAILING SAME MANNER. PROGRESSIVE LOUD FLAPPING NOISE AND PRESSURE LOSS. THE TIRES ARE WORN BUT HAVE PLENTY OF THREAD DEPTH, AND WE WERE TOLD AT GOODYEAR A MONTH AGO THEY DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT YET WHEN WE ASKED. IT SEEMS THAT THESE TIRES IN THIS VEHICLE ARE FAILING RATHER THAN WEARING OUT. SO, I'M NOW OFF TO GOODYEAR TO BUY 2 NEW TIRES AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354479

2,800 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Steering

I HEARD OF A POWER STEERING ISSUE RECALL AND WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 MAZDA 3 MANUFACTURED IN FEB 2007 - WHICH IS PRIOR TO THE RECALL DATES. WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF OR STALLED THE POWER STEERING TURNS OFF. THIS HAS NOT YET CAUSED A PROBLEM, BUT THE STEERING SHOULD REMAIN ACTIVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEED RE…

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I HEARD OF A POWER STEERING ISSUE RECALL AND WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 MAZDA 3 MANUFACTURED IN FEB 2007 - WHICH IS PRIOR TO THE RECALL DATES. WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF OR STALLED THE POWER STEERING TURNS OFF. THIS HAS NOT YET CAUSED A PROBLEM, BUT THE STEERING SHOULD REMAIN ACTIVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEED REACHES ZERO, NOT JUST WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. I FEAR MANY PEOPLE WILL NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL THEIR VEHICLE IS OLD AND STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY - WHICH WILL DISABLE POWER STEERING AND COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351652

38,066 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA 3 I TOURING THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2007. THE CAR WAS USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT THE DEALER PER DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ON FEBRUARY 8TH OF 2009, I WENT OUT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, AND I HAD NO POWER STEERIN…

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I HAVE A 2007 MAZDA 3 I TOURING THAT WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2007. THE CAR WAS USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ALL MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT THE DEALER PER DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ON FEBRUARY 8TH OF 2009, I WENT OUT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITING A FEW MINUTES, AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL OF THE RESERVOIR. SEEING THAT THE LEVEL WAS FINE, AND HAVING WAITED, I TRIED TURNING THE CAR ON AGAIN, AND AGAIN NO POWER STEERING. THIS ISSUE NEVER WENT AWAY, AND I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE. MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY 2000 MILES OUT OF THE 36K WARRANTY, SO I WAS VERY UPSET. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER RECENT MAZDA 3 OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I APPROACHED THE MAZDA DEALER WITH THE ISSUE, SAYING IT WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS FIRM ON THEM MAKING THIS RIGHT. THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AT MAZDA ON 02/10/09 AND SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON 02/12/09. THE PART THEY REPLACED MAY STILL BE FAULTY! THE DEALER AGREED THAT THE PART WAS BAD, AND THE ONLY WAY THEY AGREED TO FIX THE ISSUE IS IF I PAID FOR A BROKEN TRANSMISSION MOUNT (ALSO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THAT) TO THE TUNE OF $505.99. THAT TRANSMISSION MOUNT WAS STILL SUPPOSE TO BE COVERED UNDER THE 60K MILEAGE WARRANTY, BUT SEEING AS THE STEERING PUMP WAS $1,200, IT WAS MY BEST OPTION. SO I PAID FOR A WARRANTY COVERED PART TO FIX A PART THAT IS NOW PROVEN RECALLED. NOW, AS OF 08/12/10 MAZDA HAS RECALLED 2007-2010 MAZDA 3'S AND 5'S FOR A PROBLEMATIC AND FAULTY STEERING PUMP, BUT IS ONLY COVERING 2007 MAZDA 3 CARS MANUFACTURED FROM 04/02/07 - 11/30/08 (RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V374000 & NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE10021). MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY OF 2007. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL ISSUED SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL 2007 MAZDA 3'S, AS MINE OBVIOUSLY SUFFERED THE SAME ISSUE AS IN THE RECALL DESCRIPTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350479

5,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
SteeringCrash

IN DECEMBER 2007 MY 2007 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR LOST STEERING CONTROL AND I SLID INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. MAZDA OF GREATNECK WOULD NOT TAKE MY COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY. AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN I FELT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO MY TURNING THE WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350066

60,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Steering

THIS MORNING, I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 MAZDA3 ITOURING ONTO THE OFF RAMP FROM ROUTE SOUTH TO EXIT 15 IN THE AREA OF HINGHAM, MA. AS I WENT AROUND THE TURN TO MERGE ONTO DERBY STREET, MY POWER STEERING TEMPORARILY FAILED. IT RESUMED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WITHIN 5 SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345318

42,000 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345052

54,000 miles · Jul 23, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON A HOT DAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST QUIT. I DROVE FOR A DISTANCE WITHOUT THE POWER. WHEN I CAME TO A STOP I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. IT'S OH HAPPENED ONCE IN THREE YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344966

53,500 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Equipment

1. START CAR, TURN ON AIR CONDITIONER 2. TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BECOME UNUSUALLY SLUGGISH AND SHUT OFF. I FEEL THAT IF NOT REPLACED COULD CAUSE A CRASH AS THE CAR IS UNUSUALLY SLUGGISH AND THE MOTOR RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF. 3. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, MAZDA STATED IT WAS THAT I NEEDED A NEW A…

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1. START CAR, TURN ON AIR CONDITIONER 2. TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BECOME UNUSUALLY SLUGGISH AND SHUT OFF. I FEEL THAT IF NOT REPLACED COULD CAUSE A CRASH AS THE CAR IS UNUSUALLY SLUGGISH AND THE MOTOR RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF. 3. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, MAZDA STATED IT WAS THAT I NEEDED A NEW AIR COMPRESSOR AND A/C CLUTCH, ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT SHOULD NOT BE NEEDED ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR. IT IS ALSO NOT WARRANTY COVERED AND COST JUST OVER $700.00 TO FIX... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344750

Official recalls

2

21V494000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jul 1, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.

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.