IllustrationMY BOYFRIEND WAS IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF ALONG WITH THE BUMPER AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK UP UNTIL HE CAME TO A STOP. *TR
2008 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 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
620–25K
8925–50K
4050–75K
3475–100K
25100–150K
6150K+
256 reports with mileage · 47 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 117 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Wheels. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports1 fire reports16 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
22 reportsTHE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS ARE PROGRAMMED TO INACTIVATE THE FRONT AND SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER IF THE FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHS BETWEEN 66 AND 93 LBS. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 83 LBS. ACCORDING TO MAZDA, THIS IS NOT A DEFECT, BUT A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT. I CAN UNDERSTA…
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THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSORS ARE PROGRAMMED TO INACTIVATE THE FRONT AND SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER IF THE FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHS BETWEEN 66 AND 93 LBS. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 83 LBS. ACCORDING TO MAZDA, THIS IS NOT A DEFECT, BUT A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE SIDE AIR BAG INACTIVATION, BUT NOT THE FRONT AIR BAG INACTIVATION (YOU CAN PUSH THE SEAT FAR BACK) AND CERTAINLY NOT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER INACTIVATION. THIS RULE IS WRONG AND PUTS LIVES AT RISK. IF YOU GOOGLE "MAZDA FRONT AIR BAG INACTIVATION", YOU WILL SEE THAT LOTS OF MAZDA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT, AND IT EXTENDS TO OWNERS OF OTHER MAKES. THE AIR BAG INACTIVATION LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AS MY WIFE MOVES IN HER SEAT, AND HAS DONE THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. WE HAVE A 2006 MAZDA3 WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER TAKING THE CARE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND THE SENSOR MUST HAVE GOTTEN WET, POSSIBLY FROM CONDENSATION. BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. IT SEEMS VERY DA…
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THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER TAKING THE CARE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IS UNDER THE CUP HOLDER AND THE SENSOR MUST HAVE GOTTEN WET, POSSIBLY FROM CONDENSATION. BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO PLACE AN AIRBAG SENSOR, UNDER A CUPHOLDER, THAT CAN BE SO EASILY DAMAGED BY DRINK CONDENSATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND NECK AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND NECK AREA. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE ACCELERATION ALSO OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHEN SOMEONE RAN THEM OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND GO INTO THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHEN SOMEONE RAN THEM OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND GO INTO THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL. THE CONTACT STEERED TO THE LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE INSTEAD VIOLENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER ONCE CRASHING AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL. THE CONTACT STEERED TO THE LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE INSTEAD VIOLENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER ONCE CRASHING AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A WASHBOARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS LOOSENED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A WASHBOARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS LOOSENED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH, TRIED TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT WAS UNSAFELY CHANGING LANES. PUSHED BRAKES AND VEERED TOWARDS LEFT. THE BRAKES (WHICH ARE NOT ABS) RESPONDED SLOWLY AND I SLAMMED IN THE MIDDLE DIVIDER. A COUPLE MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE DEALER HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED SINCE THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIGOROUSL…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH, TRIED TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT WAS UNSAFELY CHANGING LANES. PUSHED BRAKES AND VEERED TOWARDS LEFT. THE BRAKES (WHICH ARE NOT ABS) RESPONDED SLOWLY AND I SLAMMED IN THE MIDDLE DIVIDER. A COUPLE MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE DEALER HAD THE ROTORS RESURFACED SINCE THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIGOROUSLY WHILE BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. TOOK CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC WAS AMAZED THAT BASED ON THE VISUAL FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
TURNING LEFT ON A T JUNCTION WHEN SOME ONE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO MY DRIVERSIDE FRONT AND REAR DOORS. THE HIT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO PIN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH THE SMASHED IN DOOR, BUT THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN AS THE VEHICLE WAS TITLED AS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
MY SON PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3 IN LATE JULY 2008. LAST SATURDAY HE SLID ON ICE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 7000 MILES ON IT. THE INITIAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $9100. I CONTACTED MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500 (DANIEL) TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG…
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MY SON PURCHASED A NEW 2008 MAZDA 3 IN LATE JULY 2008. LAST SATURDAY HE SLID ON ICE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 7000 MILES ON IT. THE INITIAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $9100. I CONTACTED MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500 (DANIEL) TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA DOESN'T SEND AN INVESTIGATOR OUT AND I SHOULD CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY (FARMERS) TELLS ME THAT THEY DON'T INVESTIGATE UNLESS THERE IS REASON TO GO AFTER THE MANUFACTURER TO HELP WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T WORK SO THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED RATHER THAN JUST ASSUME THAT THEY WILL NEXT TIME. MY SON SUFFERED WHIPLASH TO HIS NECK AND BACK AND A STRAIN TO HIS LEFT SHOULDER FROM THE SEAT BELT. I BELIEVE THIS WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY TO CUSHION THE IMPACT TO THE TREE. ISN'T THAT WHAT THEY'RE THERE FOR? MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM INTERESTED TO KNOW WHETHER THERE IS A DEFECT OR NOT. *TR
Official recalls
211V329000 · 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.
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
1PE10021 · 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.