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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

117 reports
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33,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF CAUSING THE CONTACT LIMITED ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF CAUSING THE CONTACT LIMITED ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10373970

19,800 miles · Oct 25, 2010
SteeringSuspensionCrash

POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2008 MAZDA 3 CAUSING A CRASH. MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IN IT'S LETTER TO MAZDA 3 OWNERS BUT STATED IT HAD NO PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHILE STILL WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FROM MAZDA, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR FAILED ON A BUSY CITY STREET CAUSING THE DRIVER LO…

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POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2008 MAZDA 3 CAUSING A CRASH. MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IN IT'S LETTER TO MAZDA 3 OWNERS BUT STATED IT HAD NO PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHILE STILL WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FROM MAZDA, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR FAILED ON A BUSY CITY STREET CAUSING THE DRIVER LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362187

34,200 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT; THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT; THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED; WHEN SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, SHE HEARD A RECORDING TO AWAIT A SECOND NOTICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,200.

NHTSA ODI #10359247

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE CAUTIOUSLY WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE CAUTIOUSLY WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED THE SAME DAY OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THE EXPERIENCED FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS NOT MAILED IN DIFFERENT PHASES AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE LACK OF PARTS. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10359064

51,642 miles · Sep 18, 2010
Steering

ON 9/15/10 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER '08 MAZDA3 IN NJ ON INT. 78 WHEN HER POWER STEERING FAILED AND SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR.. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 40 MI. TO OUR MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED AND INFORMED US OF THE RECALL. SHE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY MAZDA OF THIS SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO HER SAFETY. …

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ON 9/15/10 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER '08 MAZDA3 IN NJ ON INT. 78 WHEN HER POWER STEERING FAILED AND SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR.. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 40 MI. TO OUR MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED AND INFORMED US OF THE RECALL. SHE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY MAZDA OF THIS SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO HER SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356238

35,880 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Steering

LEFT MY CAR RUNNING IN DRIVE, WHEN I CAME BACK OUT 10 MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351963

18,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK AND RIGHT ARM AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK AND RIGHT ARM AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000-STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) YET THE RECALL WAS NOT SCHEDULED TO BEGIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10351310

33,111 miles · Aug 21, 2010
Steering

MY DAUGHTER WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN FOR HER. I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND A LIGHT WITH A STEERING-WHEEL AND EXPLANATION POINT WAS SHOWING. I TOLD HER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. SHE DID AND THE WARNING LI…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN FOR HER. I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND A LIGHT WITH A STEERING-WHEEL AND EXPLANATION POINT WAS SHOWING. I TOLD HER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. SHE DID AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL WAS THERE AND NO POWER-STEERING. SHE TRIED THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. IT WAS THEN I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. HE CALLED THE DEALER WHO TOLD US TO BRING IT RIGHT IN. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH IT OFF AND SWITCHING PLACES, I STARTED IT AND IT WAS STILL NOT WORKING. I HAD TO DRIVE IT SEVERAL MILES WITH NO POWER TO THE STEERING-WHEEL. WOW! TALK ABOUT TAKING A STEP BACK IN TIME. MY DAUGHTER COULD SEE ME STRUGGLE TO TURN THE STEERING-WHEEL. WHEN I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE POWER CAME BACK ON OUT OF THE BLUE! THIS IS A VEHICLE I NOW NO LONGER TRUST FOR SAFETY ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351083

12,367 miles · Aug 19, 2010
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN AT 10 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL BUSHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN AT 10 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL BUSHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,367 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,500. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/10

NHTSA ODI #10350593

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA 3. I BOUGHT IT IN 2009 AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON BUT THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON ,SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE LIGHT …

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I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA 3. I BOUGHT IT IN 2009 AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON BUT THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON ,SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE LIGHT WENT OFF ,THEN I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM . THEY TOLD ME THAT MAZDA DOES THAT FROM TIME TO TIME TO JUST TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. AUGUST 17,2010 WAS THE WORST IT HAPPEN FIVE TIMES WHILE I PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WAITING ON MY GIRLS TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND SOMETHING TO BE DONE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350421

Official recalls

2

11V329000 · 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

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.