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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.

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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

Tires complaints

41 reports
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70,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME DEFLATED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10838889

136,344 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Tires

TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE WE WERE SERVICING A VEHICLE. ..UPDATED 10/02/15*BF UPDATED 12/28/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10730691

60,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
TiresWheels

THE TIRE VALVE STEM CRACKED WHILE CHECKING AIR PRESSURE ON ONE OF THE TIRES. AFTER THAT THE OTHER STEMS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE READY TO FAIL. HAD THEM ALL REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660965

82,000 miles · Oct 22, 2014
TiresWheels

THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOPPED TO FILL MY TIRES, THE FORCE OF THE AIR HOSE BLEW THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR INTO MY TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER 3 SENSORS WERE CLOSE TO WEARING THROUGH AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649322

98,000 miles · Sep 28, 2014
TiresWheels

FEBRUARY 2014 1ST VALVE STEM AND SENSOR BROKE. THIS WEEK 2ND AND 3RD VALVE STEM AND SENSORS BROKE. $90-100 EACH TO FIX. RUINED ONE TIRE AND CAUSED SUDDEN FLAT WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639650

30,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Tires

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING REPEATEDLY. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, BUT THESE THINGS ARE MADE OF CERAMIC (APPARENTLY), GET FULL OF SALT AND/OR OTHER ROAD DETRITUS, AND THEN FALL APART, CAUSING A FLAT TIRE PLUS ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE FANCY THINGS. INSTEAD OF REPORTING A PROBLEM, WHICH IS SUPPOSED…

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TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR MODULES HAVE BEEN FAILING REPEATEDLY. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, BUT THESE THINGS ARE MADE OF CERAMIC (APPARENTLY), GET FULL OF SALT AND/OR OTHER ROAD DETRITUS, AND THEN FALL APART, CAUSING A FLAT TIRE PLUS ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE FANCY THINGS. INSTEAD OF REPORTING A PROBLEM, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY WHAT THEY ARE FOR, THEY ARE THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THREE SO FAR; I'VE TAKEN TO BUYING THEM ONLINE IN MULTIPLES; GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT A DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE ME FOR ONE PLUS THE INSTALLATION. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE RUINATION OF MY VERY NICE TIRES, AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN ONE IS GOING TO FAIL AGAIN, BUT IT'S A LEAD PIPE CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE. I'M CONSIDERING SIMPLY REPLACING THEM AS THEY FAIL WITH ORDINARY VALVE STEMS, AND COVERING THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WITH A BIT OF ELECTRICIANS' TAPE. NOT QUITE THE INTENDED OUTCOME, I'M THINKING..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630233

79,855 miles · Aug 28, 2014
TiresWheels

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN MY TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE GOING COMPLETELY FLAT. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY TOO CLOSE TO ME, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT WHEN I SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I CHANGED MY TIRE AND MADE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN MY TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE GOING COMPLETELY FLAT. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY TOO CLOSE TO ME, SO THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT WHEN I SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I CHANGED MY TIRE AND MADE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS MY TPMS AND VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY THAT HAD CORRODED AND FAILED, CAUSING MY TIRE TO IMMEDIATELY GO FLAT. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO PAY TO INSTALL A NEW TIRE ($300) I HAD TO REPLACE THE DESTROYED TPMS SENSOR AND REPLACE ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS ALSO CORRODING. ($100 EA). THE ENTIRE INCIDENT COST ME ABOUT $500 DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW FROM MAZDA THAT I HAVE NO POWER TO AVOID. THE ISSUE IS THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO REMOVE OR NOT HAVE THE SENSORS RE-INSTALLED, AS THEY ARE A SAFETY FEATURE. THE IRONY IS THAT I HAVE TO PAY $100 EACH TO INSTALL A COMPONENT THAT CAUSES ONE OF MY TIRES TO IMMEDIATELY DEFLATE RANDOMLY IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS, DEPENDING ON WHEN IT CORRODES AGAIN. IT IS INFURIATING THAT I HAVE TO INSTALL A "SAFETY FEATURE" THAT WILL RANDOMLY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OVER MY CAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, I WILL BE FORCED TO DRIVE WITH A COMPONENT THAT, OVER TIME, WILL CORRODE AND FAIL, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR, THEN RE-INSTALL THE EXACT FAULTY COMPONENT. THE SENSOR / VALVE ASSEMBLY SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE OF A MATERIAL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME THAT THIS DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT IF THE SITUATION WERE DIFFERENT I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED OR HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. BOTH MAZDA AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME NOW. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE DOES DIE FROM THIS, AND IT COMES OUT THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR YEARS, BUT NOBODY DID ANYTHING? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629128

90,420 miles · Mar 8, 2014
TiresWheels

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY MAZDA 3. SIX MONTHS LATER I WENT IN FOR MY ROUTINE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. THEY SAID MY TWO REAR TIRES WERE WORN DOWN TO SHOWING THE WIRING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A BLOW OUT. THEY REFUSED TO PUT THE TIRES BACK ON FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. I HAD TO PURCHASE TWO USED TIRES THAT…

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ABOUT A YEAR AGO I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY MAZDA 3. SIX MONTHS LATER I WENT IN FOR MY ROUTINE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. THEY SAID MY TWO REAR TIRES WERE WORN DOWN TO SHOWING THE WIRING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A BLOW OUT. THEY REFUSED TO PUT THE TIRES BACK ON FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. I HAD TO PURCHASE TWO USED TIRES THAT HAD ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE MY OTHER TIRES HAD ON THEM. AGAIN 5-6 MONTHS LATER I GO INTO LES SCHWAB FOR MY TIRE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT AND AGAIN THEY TELL ME MY TWO REAR TIRES ARE SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR. WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TO GET TIRES SO SOON THEY STATED THAT MAZDA DESIGNED THE CAR THIS WAY TO HAVE A TOE IN ALIGNMENT. BASICALLY THIS WILL BE A RECURRING ISSUE UNLESS I PUT A $500 CAMBER KIT ON THE BACK. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THAT THEY SAID IT MAY CHANGE THE WAY THE CAR HANDLES AND HAVE LOUDER ROAD NOISE. NONE OF THIS WAS MENTIONED BY MAZDA WHEN I PURCHASED THAT CAR BACK IN 2008. NOT ONLY IS THIS ISSUE CAUSING ME TO SPEND MONEY EVERY 5-6 MONTHS BUT IF I WERE TO GO TO LONG WITHOUT CHECKING MY TIRES I COULD HAVE A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. I SEE THIS AS BEING A VERY BIG ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAZDA HAVE TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567928

56,000 miles · Feb 9, 2014
TiresWheels

TPMS LIGHT ALERTED LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION. FOUND TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE. DURING INSPECTION OF TIRE, A SMALL AIR LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AT THE VALVE STEM MID SECTION OF THREADS DUE TO CORROSION. THE TPMS SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTERWARDS, THE SAME E…

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TPMS LIGHT ALERTED LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION. FOUND TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE. DURING INSPECTION OF TIRE, A SMALL AIR LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AT THE VALVE STEM MID SECTION OF THREADS DUE TO CORROSION. THE TPMS SENSOR ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTERWARDS, THE SAME EXACT FAILURE RE-OCCURRED IN ANOTHER TPMS SENSOR. THE ALUMINUM ALLOY VALVE STEMS ON THESE SENSORS ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION DAMAGE AND NEED TO BE RE-CALLED. THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE SENSORS, ESPECIALLY WHERE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THESE ARE DRIVEN WHERE ROAD "SALTING" IS ROUTINE. THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LOW TIRE PRESSURE CONDITION CAUSED BY THESE FAULTY STEMS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563553

77,784 miles · Feb 5, 2014
TiresWheels

THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE OVERSENSITIVE THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563021

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.