← New search

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
Clear category filter
21,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Steering

WHEN PLACING MY MAZDA INTO REVERSE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TOTALLY LOCKED. I AM NOT ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. WHEN I HAVE TURNED THE CAR ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WILL REACTIVATE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT T…

Read full complaint

WHEN PLACING MY MAZDA INTO REVERSE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TOTALLY LOCKED. I AM NOT ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. WHEN I HAVE TURNED THE CAR ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WILL REACTIVATE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM" AND CHARGED ME $42.00 FOR THE "CHECKUP". WITHIN 2 DAYS, THE INCIDENT RECURRED TWICE. THE CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. A STAFF MEMBER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A "TECHNICAL BULLETIN" OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS CAR OBVIOUSLY BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I EVIDENCED ON-LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341897

36,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Steering

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WHEN SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRE…

Read full complaint

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WHEN SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED YESTERDAY ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF AT A MAZDA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. RD

NHTSA ODI #10341880

25,000 miles · Jul 6, 2010
Steering

HOT DAY, VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR 20-30 MINUTES WITHOUT MOVING. POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. WAS ADVISED TO TURN IT OFF THEN ON FOR TEN MINUTES, WORKED FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341662

16,500 miles · Jul 6, 2010
Steering

WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE USUAL MANNER WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE BUT WAS VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL ONCE IT WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RE-STARTED SOMETIME LATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341642

27,200 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA3 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 90 DEGREE DAY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WE HEARD A THUMP, LIKE RUNNING OVER A PAVEMENT REFLECTOR, THEN 20 SECONDS LATER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO USE TWO HANDS TO PULL IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A RESTART, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BA…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA3 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 90 DEGREE DAY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WE HEARD A THUMP, LIKE RUNNING OVER A PAVEMENT REFLECTOR, THEN 20 SECONDS LATER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO USE TWO HANDS TO PULL IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A RESTART, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341481

25,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Steering

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON A HOT SUMMER DAY I WENT TO CHANGE LANES TO GRAB A COMING EXIT, IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LANE CHANGE THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, TO THE POINT THAT I ALMOST HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN. ONCE I WAS GOING STRAIGHT I LOOKED AT MY DASH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. I PULLED OVER I TURNED THE CAR OF…

Read full complaint

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON A HOT SUMMER DAY I WENT TO CHANGE LANES TO GRAB A COMING EXIT, IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LANE CHANGE THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, TO THE POINT THAT I ALMOST HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN. ONCE I WAS GOING STRAIGHT I LOOKED AT MY DASH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. I PULLED OVER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AN ON AND MY POWER STEERING CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND THEY QUICKLY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND PUT IN A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FACT THAT THE MAZDA DEALER WAS AWARE THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WAS POSSIBLE ON MY CAR BUT DID NOT TELL ME LED TO ME ALMOST BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341480

23,000 miles · Jul 4, 2010
Steering

HI - I SAW IN A NEWS STORY THAT YOU OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION INTO MAZDA3 POWER STEERING. THIS IS A PROBLEM I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA3 PURCHASED NEW IN EARLY APRIL 2008. BASICALLY, THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON ME - THE VEHICLE IS STILL FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND THE WAR…

Read full complaint

HI - I SAW IN A NEWS STORY THAT YOU OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION INTO MAZDA3 POWER STEERING. THIS IS A PROBLEM I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA3 PURCHASED NEW IN EARLY APRIL 2008. BASICALLY, THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON ME - THE VEHICLE IS STILL FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND THE WARNING LIGHT DOES GO ON, BUT IT JUST REQUIRES A LOT OF MUSCLE TO TURN ON THE CAR. BOTH TIMES, IT WAS ON A WARM DAY (I LIVE IN CHICAGO) AND TOWARD THE END OF A RELATIVELY LONG COMMUTE (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES+) OF MOSTLY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, SO I WONDERED IF IT MAY BE HEAT-RELATED BUT THAT COULD ALSO BE COINCIDENCE. THE FIRST TIME, I DROVE IT THE REMAINING MILE OR SO AND WAS ABLE TO PARK IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING STILL DIDN'T WORK. WHEN I CAME LATER (EITHER A FEW HOURS OR THE NEXT DAY), IT WAS FINE. SECOND TIME WAS SIMILAR, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE BETTER MENTAL NOTES OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE TRIGGERED IT - THIS TIME, IT WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER I CUT THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO ONE SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS PRACTICALLY STATIONARY. AGAIN, HARD TO TELL IF THAT WAS WHAT TRIGGERED THE PROBLEM OR IF IT WAS SHEER COINCIDENCE ... THIS TIME, THOUGH, I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT, IT WAS FINE. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW... I AM UP-TO-DATE ON MY SERVICING AND THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER SERVICE AT MAZDA (A WEEK IN WHICH I HADN'T REALLY DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE WE WERE ON VACATION WITH OUR OTHER CAR). I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED MAZDA ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT NEXT TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341407

38,400 miles · Jul 4, 2010
Steering

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 MAZDA 3 HOME FROM VACATION. SHE WAS IN NEW YORK CITY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE STOPPED CAR. RE-STARTED APPRX 30 MINUTES LATER IT WAS OK. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE STILL IN NEW YORK. SHE WAS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. SHE COULD NOT STEER CA…

Read full complaint

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 MAZDA 3 HOME FROM VACATION. SHE WAS IN NEW YORK CITY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE STOPPED CAR. RE-STARTED APPRX 30 MINUTES LATER IT WAS OK. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE STILL IN NEW YORK. SHE WAS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. SHE COULD NOT STEER CAR AND HAD TO STOP IN THE HOV BUS LANE. SHE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR WITH HER NEWBORN BABY. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 38000, LESS THEN 3 YEARS OLD, ALWAYS MAINTAINED AT 3000 INTERVALS. WE HAD TO PAY OVER 600 TO HAVE FIXED AND WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL. SOME COMPONENTS FAILED AFTER HAVING IT BACK FOR 2 DAYS, RETURNED TO DEALER AND HAD TO PAY ALMOST 200 TO HAVE REPAIRED. WE ARE OUT OVER 800 FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IN ADDITION WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERED ALMOST NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341371

30,000 miles · Jul 3, 2010
Steering

VEHICLE: 2008 MAZDA3 5 DOOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC AFTER IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINS. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CHANGED GEARS WITH NO EFFECT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE NEXT DAY THE POWER STEERING RETURNED WITH FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341353

48,000 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Steering

1. WHILE THE CAR WAS STOPPED FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING INCLUDING THE AIR CONDITIONER 2. LOSS OF POWER STEERING 3. STOPPED THE CAR AND WAITED FOR A WHILE AND THEN RESTARTED THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341290

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.