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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

What owners actually said

303 reports
67,955 miles · Jul 6, 2013
TiresWheels

TIRE VALVE STEMS FALL OUT OF THE TIRES: MY TIRES HAVE BEEN LEAKING AIR PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRE VALVE STEMS WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT COVER. WHEN I WENT TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, AIR CAME OUT AROUND THE VALVE STEM. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO MY GARAGE AND BEFORE I GOT THERE, THE ENTIRE VALVE STEM HAD …

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TIRE VALVE STEMS FALL OUT OF THE TIRES: MY TIRES HAVE BEEN LEAKING AIR PERIODICALLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. I NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRE VALVE STEMS WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT COVER. WHEN I WENT TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, AIR CAME OUT AROUND THE VALVE STEM. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO MY GARAGE AND BEFORE I GOT THERE, THE ENTIRE VALVE STEM HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE THREADS ON THE VALVE STEM WERE ALL OXIDIZED AND THE NUT ROTTED OFF. AFTER INSPECTING THE OTHER TIRES, WE NOTICED ANOTHER ONE WAS MISSING THE OUTER NUT ALSO AND HEAVILY OXIDIZED. I HAD THE MECHANIC PULL OFF ALL 4 TIRES AND INSTALL NEW VALVE STEMS TO ALL TIRES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MAZDA AND SEE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523437

110,000 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Steering

MY STEERING IS TIGHT UNAVAILABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519664

31,000 miles · May 28, 2013
TiresWheels

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE OF AN EXPRESS ROAD. WHILE DRIVING, THE TPMS SENSOR WARNING LIGHT/SOUND CAME ON AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLATE - TOTAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AND WHEN …

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THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE CENTER LANE OF AN EXPRESS ROAD. WHILE DRIVING, THE TPMS SENSOR WARNING LIGHT/SOUND CAME ON AND THE TIRE WENT IMMEDIATELY FLATE - TOTAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TPMS SENSOR HAD FALLEN OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT (IT IS ATTACHED TO THE VALVE STEM) THE TREADS WERE CORRODED AND THE NUT CRACKED CAUSING THE SENSOR FALL OUT AND THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS ONE WAS REPLACED. 8 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE NUT CRACKED AND THE SENSOR FELL OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THANKFULLY THIS TIME IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER I HAD PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR A BATHROOM BREAK AND WAS NOT DRIVING AT SPEED WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED - ALTHOUGH IF IT HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES PRIOR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON EXAMINATION WE FOUND THAT THE THREAD WERE AGAIN CORRODED, CAUSING THE NUT TO CRACK AND THE SENSOR TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION - CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY MAZDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513744

68,800 miles · May 23, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER A VISIT TO THE SHOP, I LEARNED THAT MY MICRO COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST $729. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA 3S MADE AROUND 2008. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE, I BELIEVE THAT A D…

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MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. AFTER A VISIT TO THE SHOP, I LEARNED THAT MY MICRO COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST $729. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA 3S MADE AROUND 2008. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE, I BELIEVE THAT A DEFECTIVE PART CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE EVALUATED FOR RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513300

36,000 miles · May 12, 2013
Wheels

WHILE DRIVING AT THE FULL SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR BLEW OFF AND THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING CARS WHILE VEERING ACROSS 3 LANES TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT …

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WHILE DRIVING AT THE FULL SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR BLEW OFF AND THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING CARS WHILE VEERING ACROSS 3 LANES TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE REMAINING 3 TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE CORRODED & PARTIALLY BROKEN, AND WERE IN JEOPARDY OF BLOWING OFF. CALLED MAZDA'S CUSTOMER LINE, ARGUED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAZDA AGREED TO REPLACE ALL 4 SENSORS AT NO CHARGE, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS PAST WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THEY KNEW THAT THIS WAS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. I WAS DISTURBED THAT NO ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED TO WARN CONSUMERS AND CAR REPAIR SERVICE TO SPECIFICALLY CHECK FOR WEAR - THIS IS DANGEROUS. I COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR THE SENSOR COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR WORSE WHEN BLOWING OFF AT HIGH SPEED. MAZDA DEALER SAID THAT THIS DESIGN WAS USED ON MANY MAKES AND MODELS IN 2008 (NOT JUST MAZDA), WHICH IS EVEN MORE DISTURBING. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING AN ALERT AT A MINIMUM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511552

85,234 miles · Apr 2, 2013
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED WHEN WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR JERKS SUDDENLY. I WAS EXTREMELY STARTLED AS IT FELT LIKE I HAD BROKEN AN AXLE OR RAN OVER SOMETHING BIG IN THE ROAD. FOR UNAWARE DRIVERS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THEY SWERVE IN REACTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 MORE TIMES IN A 1 HR DRIVE AND JUST KEPT ON HAPPENING WHEN…

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I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED WHEN WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR JERKS SUDDENLY. I WAS EXTREMELY STARTLED AS IT FELT LIKE I HAD BROKEN AN AXLE OR RAN OVER SOMETHING BIG IN THE ROAD. FOR UNAWARE DRIVERS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THEY SWERVE IN REACTION. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 5 MORE TIMES IN A 1 HR DRIVE AND JUST KEPT ON HAPPENING WHENEVER I DROVE IT FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR LOWER SPEEDS, I THEN NOTICED THAT MY DISPLAY SHOWED THE GEAR TO DROP FROM 5TH SUDDENLY INTO 3RD OR 4TH TO 3RD. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF MAZDA 3S, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO A RECALL AS IT IS NOT SAFE ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505362

87,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Power Train

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THIRD DEGREE INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE FIFTH GEAR. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, NOT TRACTION, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAIL…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO THIRD DEGREE INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE FIFTH GEAR. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, NOT TRACTION, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN INFORMED HIM THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 87,000. DT

NHTSA ODI #10503426

101,571 miles · Jan 18, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN FORT LAUDERDAE, FL BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED. I WAS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND THANK GOD I REMEMBERED MY DAD SAYING THAT YOUR HIGH BEAMS ARE A BACKUP SYSTEM. THIS WORKED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR LAMP FAILURES ON HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS AT NO COST? NOW BOTH FAILED AT ONC…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN FORT LAUDERDAE, FL BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED. I WAS IN TOTAL DARKNESS AND THANK GOD I REMEMBERED MY DAD SAYING THAT YOUR HIGH BEAMS ARE A BACKUP SYSTEM. THIS WORKED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR LAMP FAILURES ON HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS AT NO COST? NOW BOTH FAILED AT ONCE, THE INTERNET IS FLOODED WITH WITH COMPLAINTS. IS MY CARE SAFE? I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERS, THEY NEVER CHARGE ME FOR LAMP REPAIRS, ARE THEY HIDING SOMETHING? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493370

30,000 miles · Dec 27, 2012
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER MOVING OFF THE ROADWAY AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TRIED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE WHEN THE VALVE STEM FR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER MOVING OFF THE ROADWAY AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TRIED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE WHEN THE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TPMS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER TPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10490206

120,000 miles · Dec 18, 2012
Suspension

LIKE OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE REAR TIRE CAMBER. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION AFTER THE 2ND SET OF TIRES. I DIDN'T THINK THAT MUCH OF IT DURING THE FIRST SET OF TIRES AS THE TIRES LASTED FOR APPRX 50K MILES. BUT THE 2ND SET STARTED TO VIBRATE AND RUMBLE LOUDLY AFTER ABOUT 12K MILES. I HAD THEM ALIGNED AND ROTAT…

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LIKE OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE REAR TIRE CAMBER. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION AFTER THE 2ND SET OF TIRES. I DIDN'T THINK THAT MUCH OF IT DURING THE FIRST SET OF TIRES AS THE TIRES LASTED FOR APPRX 50K MILES. BUT THE 2ND SET STARTED TO VIBRATE AND RUMBLE LOUDLY AFTER ABOUT 12K MILES. I HAD THEM ALIGNED AND ROTATED BUT THE NOISE AND WEAR BECAME WORSE. I PURCHASED A 3RD SET AND AGAIN HAD THE WHEELS ALIGNED AND THE SET LASTED FOR ABOUT 30K MILES. BUT I MUST STATE THAT THE VIBRATION AND NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE, AT THIS POINT. I FINALLY FOUND A MECHANIC THAT UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM. THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE FIXED (DID NOT HAVE AN ADJUSTMENT). THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS (WITH AN ADJUSTABLE SET). THE CAR NOW RIDES SMOOTH AND QUIET. MY QUESTION AND COMPLAINT...MAZDA MUST HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OTHERWISE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL, NONADJUSTABLE. SO WHY, DIDN'T MAZDA OFFER ASSISTANCE? THE REPAIR COST ME OVER $625, NOT INCLUDING THE PREMATURELY WORN TIRES. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. NOW I QUESTION MAZDA'S INTEGRITY AND MAY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489081

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.