NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
16 reportsClear category filter176 miles · Aug 6, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other
MY MAZDA3 DIES WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF WHAT IS GOING ON (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WHEN IT DOES, I WAIT FOR A WHILE AND IT WILL START BACK UP AGAIN! MY SHOP AND I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING WE CAN, BUT WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT IS DOING THAT! I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY SAID IT WAS RECALLED FOR POWER STE…
Read full complaint
MY MAZDA3 DIES WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF WHAT IS GOING ON (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). WHEN IT DOES, I WAIT FOR A WHILE AND IT WILL START BACK UP AGAIN! MY SHOP AND I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING WE CAN, BUT WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT IS DOING THAT! I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY SAID IT WAS RECALLED FOR POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND FIXED IN 2010 BUT TO US IT SOUNDS IT IS THAT ISSUE CAUSING IT TO STOP WHILE IN MOTION! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE!! NO CAR SHOULD STOP IN MOTION FROM NOWHERE! THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT!
NHTSA ODI #11343682
66,400 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 REPEATED MAJOR SERVICE REPAIR ATTEMPTS RELATED TO THE TCM, PCM AT LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE PERMANENTLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WHEN EXPERIENCING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES. THIS…
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 REPEATED MAJOR SERVICE REPAIR ATTEMPTS RELATED TO THE TCM, PCM AT LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE PERMANENTLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WHEN EXPERIENCING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA OR BUY BACK THIS VEHICLE. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE FACED WITH THESE KINDS OF CONCERNS. THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES HAS NOT BEEN FAVORABLE IN MY VIEW AND WILL HAVING A MAJOR DETERMING EFFECT IN FUTURE CAR PURCHASE. BRAND LOYALTY. [BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...] 4-3-2019 AT 9:27AM
NHTSA ODI #11193534
97,841 miles · Nov 2, 2017
Engine
JULY 11, 2011. 34443 MILES. CONSTANT RUNNING OF ELECTRIC RADIATOR FAN WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING CAUSED BY COMPLETE FAILURE OF OEM WATER PUMP. UNIT REPLACED BY ANOTHER OEM WATER PUMP. NOVEMBER 01, 2017. 97841 MILES. COMPLETE FAILURE OF SECOND OEM WATER PUMP. UNIT REPLACED BY A THIRD OEM WATER PUMP.
NHTSA ODI #11042283
79,000 miles · Sep 8, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
AT LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY HARD SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY FROM 5TH GEAR DOWN TO A HARSH 3RD GEAR. CANNOT GET AT LIGHT TO SHUT OFF, REPLACED SOLINOIDS, TCM, PCM AND STILL CANNOT LOCATE THE ISSUE. CAR WILL NOT GO PAST 3RD GEAR. CAR IS STILL UNDER 80K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11022380
68,000 miles · Apr 4, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
AEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2008 MAZDA3..... HOWEVER MY VIN ISNT ASSOSIATED WITH ANY AND I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMA. POWER STEERINGS UNIT STRIPPED2 OR THE 3 BOLTS HOLES ANS FELL DOWN FROM CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS SLIGHT RATTLING..... STATIONARY AND MOVING. IDLE IS AT 500-1,000 RPMS VERY ODD FEELING. RANDOM BODY DAMAGE AND ENTIRE OF BOTTOM EN…
Read full complaint
AEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2008 MAZDA3..... HOWEVER MY VIN ISNT ASSOSIATED WITH ANY AND I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMA. POWER STEERINGS UNIT STRIPPED2 OR THE 3 BOLTS HOLES ANS FELL DOWN FROM CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS SLIGHT RATTLING..... STATIONARY AND MOVING. IDLE IS AT 500-1,000 RPMS VERY ODD FEELING. RANDOM BODY DAMAGE AND ENTIRE OF BOTTOM ENGINE RUSTY.... PAINT RUSTS AS WELL. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ON FINANCE AND REALLY NEED SOME HELP
NHTSA ODI #10970397
85,000 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Engine
10 MINUTES AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON MY CAR LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS THIS STARTED AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY MY CAR DIED AT THE TOP OF THE OFF RAMP. AT THIS POINT IT BEGAN BILLOWING WHITE SMOKE OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, OUT THE TAILPIPE, AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. …
Read full complaint
10 MINUTES AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON MY CAR LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS THIS STARTED AND BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY MY CAR DIED AT THE TOP OF THE OFF RAMP. AT THIS POINT IT BEGAN BILLOWING WHITE SMOKE OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, OUT THE TAILPIPE, AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WAS NOT BLUE NOR DID IT HAVE AN OIL SMELL. I WAS ORIGINALLY TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND IN THE MINUTE OR TWO IT TOOK ME TO GET TO THE OFF RAMP AND AT THE TIME THE CAR DIED I WAS GOING LESS THAN 5MPH. WHEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP THEY SAID THAT 3 OF THE 4 CYLINDERS HAD 0 REMAINING POWER AND THE FOURTH ONLY HAD AROUND 1/8TH OF THE POWER THAT IT SHOULD HAVE HAD. THEY SAID THAT OIL AND COOLANT REMAINED IN THE CAR AT PROPER LEVELS. MY CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND, AGAIN, THE FLUID LEVELS WERE APPROPRIATE. I HAD BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MINUTES BETWEEN WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIRST WENT ON AND CATASTROPHIC, IRREPARABLE ENGINE FAILURE. THE CAR ITSELF HAD ONLY 85,000 MILES ON IT. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE MANY OTHERS, NOT JUST ONE OR TWO HUT HUNDREDS, WHO HAVE HAD NEARLY IDENTICAL EXPERIENCES WITH THIS EXACT MAKE, MODEL, AND ENGINE SIZE. YET MAZDA, WHEN CALLED, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND HE HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THOUGH OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED THAT THEY, TOO, CONTACTED MAZDA AFTER THIS TYPE OF COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. MAZDA'S RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS OUT OF THE POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO DO.
NHTSA ODI #10967810
40,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury
CAR ACCIDENT GOING AROUND 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY, HIT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON DUE TO BLACK ICE AND RAIN, SPINNING TWICE HITTING GUARDRAILS AGAIN FRONT AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES, NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE SEATBELT AS I'M SURE DEATH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THAT FAILED TOO. GOING THROUGH THE INSURANCE PROCESS NOW …
Read full complaint
CAR ACCIDENT GOING AROUND 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY, HIT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON DUE TO BLACK ICE AND RAIN, SPINNING TWICE HITTING GUARDRAILS AGAIN FRONT AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES, NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE SEATBELT AS I'M SURE DEATH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THAT FAILED TOO. GOING THROUGH THE INSURANCE PROCESS NOW AND WILL HAVE MORE PICTURES AND POLICE REPORT IN HAND SHORTLY. I THOUGHT MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN A SAFE CAR... I GUESS NOT.
NHTSA ODI #10836550
85,000 miles · Feb 11, 2016
EnginePower Train
CAR WAS VIBRATING A LOT WHEN IN GEAR AND HOLDING BRAKES REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND THROTTLE BODY TO FIX ISSUE. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SPEEDING BACK UP THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING AND IS NOT SAFE IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY AND WANT TO SWITCH LANES AND SPEED UP I'M…
Read full complaint
CAR WAS VIBRATING A LOT WHEN IN GEAR AND HOLDING BRAKES REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND THROTTLE BODY TO FIX ISSUE. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SPEEDING BACK UP THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING AND IS NOT SAFE IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY AND WANT TO SWITCH LANES AND SPEED UP I'M AFRAID ONE DAY I'M GOING TO SWITCH LANES HIT THE GAS AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL. THE CARMAX I GOT THE CAR FROM INSISTS IT IS JUST A TRANSMISSION "SHUTTER" AND IT HAPPENS WITH CERTAIN CARS. I WILL BE GETTING A SECOND OPINION FROM AN ASE CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION SHOP. DEALERSHIP MADE ME THINK IT WAS BRAKE PADS AT FIRST I PAID $300 TO HAVE PERFECTLY GOOD PADS REPLACED WITH NEW ONES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM NOT FIXED. I AM EXTREMELY IRRITATED WITH DEALERSHIP TRYING TO GET AROUND FIXING THE CAR. OTHER THAN THOSE 2 PROBLEMS THE CAR IS GREAT.
NHTSA ODI #10825734
79,352 miles · Jan 27, 2016
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OX…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS SEIZED INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING HAD EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT, WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,352.
NHTSA ODI #10822548
127,000 miles · May 29, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ATV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ATV AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOUSING ROD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
NHTSA ODI #10722263
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.
Illustration