IllustrationPREMATURE CLUTCH PROBLEMS AT 31K MILES. MY CLUTCH CHATTERS AND ENGAGES POORLY DUE TO A POORLY MADE CLUTCH, WHICH MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
8925–50K
4050–75K
3475–100K
25100–150K
6150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A WASHBOARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS LOOSENED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A WASHBOARD AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS LOOSENED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN. NOT ONLY WAS THIS DANGEROUS BUT ALSO SCARY AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AS I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE OF 285 IN ATLANTA TO THE CLOSEST EXIT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPL…
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MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN. NOT ONLY WAS THIS DANGEROUS BUT ALSO SCARY AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AS I TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY FROM THE FAR LEFT LANE OF 285 IN ATLANTA TO THE CLOSEST EXIT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE WIPER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $340. I HAD MY LAST MAZDA FOR 9 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STALL OR JUST STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER WHEN ITS RAINING, WHICH IS REALLY DEFEATING THE PURPOSE. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THESE NONFUCTINING WIPER MOTORS WITH LESS THAN A 3 YEAR LIFE SPAN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!!!! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND I AM NOT SURE IF THE NEXT CAR I PURCHASE WILL BE A MAZDA. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2008 MAZDA 3 CAUSING A CRASH. MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IN IT'S LETTER TO MAZDA 3 OWNERS BUT STATED IT HAD NO PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHILE STILL WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FROM MAZDA, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR FAILED ON A BUSY CITY STREET CAUSING THE DRIVER LO…
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POWER STEERING FAILED ON 2008 MAZDA 3 CAUSING A CRASH. MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IN IT'S LETTER TO MAZDA 3 OWNERS BUT STATED IT HAD NO PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. WHILE STILL WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE FROM MAZDA, THE POWER STEERING ON OUR CAR FAILED ON A BUSY CITY STREET CAUSING THE DRIVER LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT; THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT; THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED; WHEN SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, SHE HEARD A RECORDING TO AWAIT A SECOND NOTICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE CAUTIOUSLY WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCES…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE CAUTIOUSLY WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED THE SAME DAY OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THE EXPERIENCED FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS NOT MAILED IN DIFFERENT PHASES AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE LACK OF PARTS. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AGAIN. REFER TO ORIGINAL COMPLAINT # 10343804 14JUL10 WIPER MOTOR FAILED, $337.00 SECOND COMPLAINT # 10356107 17SEP10 HIGH SPEED OPERATION OF WIPERS FAILED. THIS SECOND COMPLAINT WAS RESOLVED ON 01OCT10, $880.00. THIS TIME THE CAUSE WAS A BAD RELAY ON WHAT THEY (DEALER) CALLED A FUSE BLOCK ASSY. RELAY…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AGAIN. REFER TO ORIGINAL COMPLAINT # 10343804 14JUL10 WIPER MOTOR FAILED, $337.00 SECOND COMPLAINT # 10356107 17SEP10 HIGH SPEED OPERATION OF WIPERS FAILED. THIS SECOND COMPLAINT WAS RESOLVED ON 01OCT10, $880.00. THIS TIME THE CAUSE WAS A BAD RELAY ON WHAT THEY (DEALER) CALLED A FUSE BLOCK ASSY. RELAY IS NOT REPLACEABLE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY! I HAVE THE OLD FUSE BLOCK ASSEMBLY ALTHOUGH THEY BENT SOME OF THE CONNECTOR PINS ON IT! FUNNY I CAN NOT FIND ANY FUSES ON IT! I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHAT WITH STEERING COMPLAINTS, EXCESSIVE REAR TIRE INNER EDGE WEAR I HAVE SEEN ON YOUR WEB SIGHT AMONG OTHER THINGS AND THE FOG LIGHT LENSES CRACKING ON BOTH SIDES (APP $125.00 EA TO GET A INSPECTION STICKER)ON MY CAR. MY WIND SHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER A CRACK DEVELOPED FROM A VERY MINOR IMPACT THAT LEFT A PIT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE CRACK RADATINF FROM IT IN TWO DIRECTIONS, I NEVER HEARD THE IMPACT. BUT WIPERS FAILING ON A 2 YEAR OLD CAR IS UNACCEPTABLE! LOSS OF VISIBILITY IS INSTANT IN HEAVY RAIN! *TR
2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE BLEW *TGW THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. AN INSPECTION REVEALED, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT OIL IN THE VEHICLE. *JB
ON 9/15/10 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER '08 MAZDA3 IN NJ ON INT. 78 WHEN HER POWER STEERING FAILED AND SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR.. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 40 MI. TO OUR MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED AND INFORMED US OF THE RECALL. SHE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY MAZDA OF THIS SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO HER SAFETY. …
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ON 9/15/10 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER '08 MAZDA3 IN NJ ON INT. 78 WHEN HER POWER STEERING FAILED AND SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR.. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 40 MI. TO OUR MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED AND INFORMED US OF THE RECALL. SHE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY MAZDA OF THIS SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO HER SAFETY. *TR
REFER TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT 14 JULY 10, # 10343804. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL AGAIN AFTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT IN MIDDLE OFJULY 2010, THIS MORNING 17SEP10. THIS FAILURE WAS NOT A COMPLETE FAILURE AT THIS TIME BUT THE LOSS OF THE HIGH SPEED FUNCTION OF THE WIPERS DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM. AGAIN I CONSIDER WIPERS A SAFETY ITEM ON A …
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REFER TO PREVIOUS COMPLAINT 14 JULY 10, # 10343804. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL AGAIN AFTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT IN MIDDLE OFJULY 2010, THIS MORNING 17SEP10. THIS FAILURE WAS NOT A COMPLETE FAILURE AT THIS TIME BUT THE LOSS OF THE HIGH SPEED FUNCTION OF THE WIPERS DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM. AGAIN I CONSIDER WIPERS A SAFETY ITEM ON A CAR. THERE SEEMS TO BE A ON GOING PROBLEM OF THE WIPERS ON MAZDA 3 AROUND 2008 YEAR AS I HAVE HAD OTHER PEOPLE TELL OF TROUBLES THEY HAD OR HEARD OF SINCE MY FIRST FAILURE. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL BE THE OUT COME OF REPAIR AS I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. I AM VERY CONCERNED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IN THE RAIN! *TR
Official recalls
211V329000 · 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
1PE10021 · 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.