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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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61,400 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Tires

ON APRIL 8TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. AS SOON AS THE FILLING HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM FELL OUT INTO THE TIRE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. AFTER BRINGING THE TIRE TO GET REPAIRED, I W…

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ON APRIL 8TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 WHEN THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST GAS STATION TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE. AS SOON AS THE FILLING HOSE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE VALVE STEM, THE VALVE STEM FELL OUT INTO THE TIRE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. AFTER BRINGING THE TIRE TO GET REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TPMS SENSOR WAS NO GOOD BECAUSE THE VALVE STEM IS CORRODED. IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT THE 3 OTHER WHEELS HAVE CORRODED VALVE STEMS AND THE NUTS THAT HOLD THEM IN PLACE ARE ALL CRACKED AND THAT IF THESE NUTS CRACK OFF THE VALVE STEM CAN FALL OFF RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ALUMINUM CAP CORRODING TO THE VALVE STEM FROM ROAD SALT. THE DEALER SAID "IT JUST HAPPENS" AND THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE SENSORS ARE MADE BY SIEMENS VDO. I AM JUST GLAD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS! NISSAN HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT TURNED INTO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395598

68,108 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Tires

TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394404

12,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Tires

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OF NEW TIRES ON NEW VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350287

34,500 miles · Apr 27, 2010
TiresWheels

2008 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR HATCHBACK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM TO THE TIRE BECAME CORRODED AND CRACKED AND FELL OFF. THIS RESULTED IN A RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AFTER INSPECTING THE OTHER 3 TIRES, I NOTICED THAT 2 OF THE R…

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2008 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR HATCHBACK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM TO THE TIRE BECAME CORRODED AND CRACKED AND FELL OFF. THIS RESULTED IN A RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AFTER INSPECTING THE OTHER 3 TIRES, I NOTICED THAT 2 OF THE REMAINING 3 NUTS WERE ALSO SEVERELY CORRODED AND CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THIS OCCURRED AFTER I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 20 MONTHS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE MAZDA DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE VALVE STEM WHERE THE NUT HAD FALLEN OFF, BUT NOT THE OTHER 2 STEMS THAT WERE CORRODED AND CRACKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327683

17,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Tires

THE TIRES ON MY MAZDA 3 5 DOOR, WERE WORN OUT BY 17,000 MILES. I BELLEVE THAT TO BE EXCESSIVE! IF THIS KIND OF TIRE WARE, WAS DISCLOSED WHEN I LEASED THE CAR, I WOULD NOT HAVE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319882

21,000 miles · Dec 26, 2009
SuspensionTires

IN EARLY AUGUST 2009 AT APPROX. 21K MILES WHEN I PERFORMED MY 7500 MILE TIRE ROTATION I NOTICED THAT ALL THE 4 OE GOOD YEAR RSA TIRES WERE VERY WORN ON THE INSIDE, NOT THE THREAD AREA BUT THE AREA WHERE THE SIDEWALL STARTS. I HAD NOTICED THIS BEFORE BUT HAD NOT THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AS IT WASN'T TOO BAD. I DROVE ON A 500 MILE TRI…

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IN EARLY AUGUST 2009 AT APPROX. 21K MILES WHEN I PERFORMED MY 7500 MILE TIRE ROTATION I NOTICED THAT ALL THE 4 OE GOOD YEAR RSA TIRES WERE VERY WORN ON THE INSIDE, NOT THE THREAD AREA BUT THE AREA WHERE THE SIDEWALL STARTS. I HAD NOTICED THIS BEFORE BUT HAD NOT THOUGHT MUCH OF IT AS IT WASN'T TOO BAD. I DROVE ON A 500 MILE TRIP SHORTLY AFTER THIS AND BECAME MORE CONCERNED . I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AT THE DESTINATION AND IT WAS WITHIN MFG. SPEC. THE ALIGNMENT PEOPLE SAID THE CAUSE WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE NEGATIVE CAMBER ON THE REAR WHEELS WHICH AT -2.3 AND -1.7 WAS PROBABLY THE REASON FOR THE WEAR AND THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. MAZDA DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR ADJUSTING THE REAR CAMBER. NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES AT THE TIME, THINKING MAYBE IT WAS A OVERZEALOUS SALES EFFORT, AND TO ME THE TIRES STILL LOOKED USABLE I DIDN'T REPLACE THEM. NOW AT 27K MILES I HAVE THE RESOURCES TO REPLACE THEM AND THE AREA ON THE INSIDE CORNER IN MUCH MORE WORN. MAZDA GIVES NO EXPLANATION, ONE SAID SHOULD ROTATE @ 5K MILES, ANOTHER SAYS THEY PUT CRAPPY TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. ON THE INTERNET, PEOPLE WHO REPLACE THE TIRES SAY THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER THAT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT, WITH A SOUR ECONOMY MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD REPLACEMENT TIRES, MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OR PAY TO ROTATE TIRES AND MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT CHECK THEM AT ALL. AT THE MINIMUM MAZDA SHOULD PROVIDE FOR ADJUSTMENT OF THE REAR CAMBER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296975

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2009
Tires

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT EAGLE-RSA 205/50VR17 TIRES ON MY MAZDA 3- 5DOOR ARE SHOWING EXAGGERATED WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN IF I DO THE TREADWEAR CALCULATION, I SHOULD HAVE REACHED 18,720 MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. AT 17,MILES, THE TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS. EVEN BEFORE THAT, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS…

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ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT EAGLE-RSA 205/50VR17 TIRES ON MY MAZDA 3- 5DOOR ARE SHOWING EXAGGERATED WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN IF I DO THE TREADWEAR CALCULATION, I SHOULD HAVE REACHED 18,720 MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. AT 17,MILES, THE TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS. EVEN BEFORE THAT, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE EXTREMELY POOR WET AND SNOW TRACTION OF THE "ALL SEASON" TIRES. UNLESS IT IS DRY AND ABOVE 60 DEGREES, THESE TIRES HAVE LITTLE TO NO TRACTION. ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF MY STREET ON TWO RAINY DAYS HAS RESULTED IN UNNECESSARY WHEELSPIN AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS WAS BEFORE 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 18 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED WHEELSPIN IN THE RAIN WITH MY 1970 MERCURY WITH 300HP. AT A MINIMUM, GOODYEAR SHOULD BE HIT WITH A FALSE ADVERTISING SUIT FOR ADVERTISING THE EAGLE-RSA AS AN "ALL SEASON" TIRE. I AGREE WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINANT THAT GOODYEAR MIGHT BE INTENTIONALLY NOT GIVING WARRANTY'S FOR THE TIRES AGAINST WEAR BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PRODUCT WILL NOT LAST THAT LONG. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST SET OF GOODYEARS THAT HAVE NOT MADE IT TO THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY. I HAD ASKED THE DEALER TO SWITCH TIRES WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT ALL OF THE MAZDA3- 5DOORS ON THE LOT HAD THE SAME AWFUL TIRES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEARS OR A VEHICLE THAT HAS THEM AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290294

10,000 miles · Oct 17, 2009
Tires

I OWN A MAZDA 3, PURCHASED 7/08, CAR HAS 20K MILES, THE GOODYEAR TIRES RSA 205-50R-17 NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECT IN A PART TO CORRECT A REAR CAMBER ISSUE, THE DEFECT CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND HAVE VERY LOW TREAD LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND ZONE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART BUT I AM HAVING DIFFICULTLY…

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I OWN A MAZDA 3, PURCHASED 7/08, CAR HAS 20K MILES, THE GOODYEAR TIRES RSA 205-50R-17 NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECT IN A PART TO CORRECT A REAR CAMBER ISSUE, THE DEFECT CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND HAVE VERY LOW TREAD LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND ZONE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART BUT I AM HAVING DIFFICULTLY HAVING THEM PAY FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN EFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE PART THEREFORE THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THE FULL COST OF REPLACEMENT TIRES. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE REAR CAMBER PART ISSUE SINCE GOOD TIRES LEADS TO SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288744

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2008
Tires

TIRE WAS ON RENTAL CAR PICKED UP FROM HERTZ AT CINCINNATI AIRPORT. NOTICED RIDE WAS ROUGH AND NOISY. ON ARRIVING AT DESTINATION (LEXINGTON, KY, ABOUT 70 MILES BY HIGHWAY), EXAMINED TIRES. SAW BULGE ON SIDEWALL ON PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT TIRE. RETURNED CAR TO HERTZ AT LEXINGTON BLUEGRASS AIRPORT TO BE EXCHANGED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240323

3,526 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ALL WEATHER TIRES, SIZE P205/15R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES AND ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF STRIKING SOMETHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ALL WEATHER TIRES, SIZE P205/15R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES AND ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF STRIKING SOMETHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,526.

NHTSA ODI #10239900

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.