IllustrationAIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.....LOST POWER STEERING AT ONLY 110,000 MILES...ABS BREAK SYSTEM NOT WORKING
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
Service Brakes complaints
13 reportsBRAKES BECAME SPONGY AFTER HARD BRAKING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH. AFTERWARD, SPORADICALLY, BRAKES WOULD REQUIRE SEVERAL PUMPS OF THE PEDAL TO BUILD ENOUGH HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I'M REPORTING THIS INCIDENT NOW AFTER LEARNING ABOUT FORD RECALL 19S54, NHTSA IDENTIFIER 19V904. BRAKE PARTS ON THIS CA…
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BRAKES BECAME SPONGY AFTER HARD BRAKING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH. AFTERWARD, SPORADICALLY, BRAKES WOULD REQUIRE SEVERAL PUMPS OF THE PEDAL TO BUILD ENOUGH HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I'M REPORTING THIS INCIDENT NOW AFTER LEARNING ABOUT FORD RECALL 19S54, NHTSA IDENTIFIER 19V904. BRAKE PARTS ON THIS CAR WERE MADE BY FOMOCO. ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT, P/N BVSN-43-7AZD, WAS REPLACED BY MAZDA DEALER TO CORRECT PROBLEM AT A COST OF $1200.
THE BRAKES NORMALLY FUNCTION CORRECTLY EXCEPT FOR WHEN, AND FOR SOME TIME AFTER THE ABS ACTIVATES. AFTER THE ABS ACTIVATES YOU MUST PUSH THE BRAKE PETAL NEARLY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. USUALLY, THE BRAKES SEEM TO "RESET" AFTER 3 OR 4 HARD BRAKING ATTEMPTS.
THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE HAS SOFT BRAKES THAT WHEN ENGAGED, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TO APROX. 1 INCH FROM THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES ONLY SLIGHTLY ENGAGE, HOWEVER, IF NEEDED THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKING ABILITY IS HINDERED WHEN HARD STOPPING. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, AND THE BRAKE LINES BLED HOPING TO …
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THE VEHICLE WHEN IN MOTION ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE HAS SOFT BRAKES THAT WHEN ENGAGED, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TO APROX. 1 INCH FROM THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES ONLY SLIGHTLY ENGAGE, HOWEVER, IF NEEDED THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKING ABILITY IS HINDERED WHEN HARD STOPPING. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, AND THE BRAKE LINES BLED HOPING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. YET, FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS SHOW THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY.
#1 AIR BAG WARNING DASH LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2+ YEARS. THERE IS NO MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND I INITIALLY BELIEVED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. #2 BRAKES: VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AND COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY I…
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#1 AIR BAG WARNING DASH LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2+ YEARS. THERE IS NO MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND I INITIALLY BELIEVED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE OR REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. #2 BRAKES: VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AND COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY INSPECTED ON 6 NOV 2018. I ASKED THE SHOP TO CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR ABNORMAL PRESSURE. I FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT MAINTAINING A FIRM PEDAL PUSH WHILE DRIVING, BUT AT FIRST FELT FIRM THEN SOFTENED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I RETURNED TO THE AUTO SERVICE TO POINT THIS OUT AND THE REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDED NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT AND EARLIER WHILE THEY DROVE IT AROUND THEIR FACILITY IT FELT FINE, THEREFORE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE LIKE THIS. TODAY IS 3 DECEMBER AND IT IS STILL A MUSHY BRAKE.
THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TOO FAR BEFORE ENGAGING. I'VE HAD THE BRAKE FLUID REPLACED AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED AGAIN. THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE SHOWS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS ACTUATOR. THERE'S APPEARS TO BE A FAULT THAT ALLOWS PRESSURE TO BLEED PAST THE VALVES IN THE ACTUATOR. THIS IS A SERI…
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THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TOO FAR BEFORE ENGAGING. I'VE HAD THE BRAKE FLUID REPLACED AND AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS, THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED AGAIN. THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE SHOWS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS ACTUATOR. THERE'S APPEARS TO BE A FAULT THAT ALLOWS PRESSURE TO BLEED PAST THE VALVES IN THE ACTUATOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS STOPPING DISTANCE IS AFFECTED. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.
I WAS DRIVING ON A 30 MPH ROAD NEAR MY APARTMENT AND WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE WHILE MOVING, THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY MAZDA 3. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS NOT GOING FAST AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP WITH JUST THE HAND BRAKE. MY CA…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A 30 MPH ROAD NEAR MY APARTMENT AND WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE WHILE MOVING, THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY MAZDA 3. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS NOT GOING FAST AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP WITH JUST THE HAND BRAKE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 104,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THERE WERE NO LIT UP INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD AND NO WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. BASED ON MY TRIP TO TWO MECHANICS AND THE DEALERSHIP, THE ABS UNIT FAILED AND ALLOWED AIR INTO THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY FLAW THAT I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD PAY IN FULL TO REMEDY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM IN MAZDA CARS FROM ABOUT 2004 TO 2016 BASED ON MY RESEARCH. I FOUND MULTIPLE OTHER SOURCES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
BREAK PEDAL MOVEMENT NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE BRAKES INCREASED DRAMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. ACTIVATION OF BRAKES REQUIRES BRAKE PEDAL TO BE CLOSE TO THE FLOOR OF THE PEDAL COMPARTMENT. BY "CLOSE" I MEAN WITH 2-3 INCHES. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. AFTER THE INCREASED TRAVEL OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPL…
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BREAK PEDAL MOVEMENT NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE BRAKES INCREASED DRAMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. ACTIVATION OF BRAKES REQUIRES BRAKE PEDAL TO BE CLOSE TO THE FLOOR OF THE PEDAL COMPARTMENT. BY "CLOSE" I MEAN WITH 2-3 INCHES. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. AFTER THE INCREASED TRAVEL OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLIED, THE BRAKES DO ACTIVATE TO SLOW AND STOP THE CAR BUT TEND TO MORE QUICKLY ACTUATE BRAKES WHICH THEN REQUIRE INCREASED PEDAL PRESSURE TO STOP MOTION OF THE CAR. THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM ACTUATION AND MAKES CONTROLLING BREAK PEDAL PRESSURE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS THIS MIGHT PRESENT A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THIS OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2018. THE CAR WILL IN BE FACTORY DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP ON FEB. 22, 2018.
THIS IS FOR A 2008.5 MAZDA3. THE ISSUE I AM REPORTING IS WITH A "SOFT PEDAL" CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES AND ABS SYSTEM ENGAGE AND CAR SLOWS DOWN. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT, THE PEDAL LOSES PRESSURE AND NEEDS TO BE PUS…
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THIS IS FOR A 2008.5 MAZDA3. THE ISSUE I AM REPORTING IS WITH A "SOFT PEDAL" CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES AND ABS SYSTEM ENGAGE AND CAR SLOWS DOWN. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT, THE PEDAL LOSES PRESSURE AND NEEDS TO BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIXED BY ACTIVATING THE ABS SYSTEM AGAIN AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. HOWEVER, WHEN BRAKING OVER A BUMP AGAIN THE ISSUE CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS ISSUE HAS RECENTLY STARTED TO BECOME WIDELY REPORTED FOR MAZDA3, MAZDA6, AND FORD FUSIONS. I AM SEEING THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION OPENED IN DECEMBER 2016 FOR THE FORD FUSION AND THE MERCURY MILAN. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THIS DEFECT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN MAZDA'S AS WELL. THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS MOST PEOPLE GO AND REPLACE THEIR MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, ECT. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM LOOKS TO BE WITH THE HYDRAULIC'S IN THE ABS SYSTEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO TRACTION …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO TRACTION CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
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.