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2009 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

97 reports with mileage · 18 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Steering complaints

35 reports
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57,000 miles · May 30, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE AND CURR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514285

41,229 miles · Jun 17, 2012
Steering

POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HOT DAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY, AND THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I THE PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN - T…

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POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HOT DAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY, AND THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I THE PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN - THIS TIME WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPEATED THIS PROCESS. AS OF NOW, I'VE BEEN HAVING TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461979

41,229 miles · Jun 17, 2012
Steering

POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HOT DAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY, AND THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I THE PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN - T…

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POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON A HOT DAY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, AND THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT AWAY, AND THE CAR'S POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I THE PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN - THIS TIME WHILE MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPEATED THIS PROCESS. AS OF NOW, I'VE BEEN HAVING TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461978

35,000 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Steering

MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 2009. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON FIRST TIME AROUND 15000 MILES. AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I GOT MAIL FROM MAZDA3 SAID THIS CAR NEED A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING ISSUE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO DEALER AROUND 36000 MILES AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING IS GOOD. HOWEVER, STARTED FROM THIS JUN, THE CAR BECAME MUCH …

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MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 2009. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON FIRST TIME AROUND 15000 MILES. AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND I GOT MAIL FROM MAZDA3 SAID THIS CAR NEED A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING ISSUE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO DEALER AROUND 36000 MILES AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING IS GOOD. HOWEVER, STARTED FROM THIS JUN, THE CAR BECAME MUCH WORST. IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF DURING DRIVING AND THE SITUATION HAPPENED OFTEN. I EVEN VIDEO RECORD THE INCIDENT FOR THE DEALER. I RETURNED MY CAR TO DEALER ONCE EVERY MONTH FROM JUN, THIS IS THE 3RD TIME. I GUESS THE DEALER DON'T KNOW HERE IS THE PROBLEM IS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. HAPPENED TO MY ONCE IN THE EXIT OF HIGHWAY, ONCE WHEN I TURN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. NOTE: BEFORE IT SHUT OFF, EVERY INDICATOR LIGHT WILL TURN ON.

NHTSA ODI #10422251

67,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE V…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,497.

NHTSA ODI #10399585

26,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 03/03/11

NHTSA ODI #10368307

14,000 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Steering

MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GR TOURING HAS TWICE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. FIRST: WHEN IDLING ON VERY HOT DAY. RESTARTING THE CAR RESTORED POWER. SECOND, WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC JAM ON PA TURNPIKE. RESTARTING DID NOT RESTORE POWER. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I'M A HEALTHY MAN AND I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO THE SERVICE PLAZA.…

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MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GR TOURING HAS TWICE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. FIRST: WHEN IDLING ON VERY HOT DAY. RESTARTING THE CAR RESTORED POWER. SECOND, WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC JAM ON PA TURNPIKE. RESTARTING DID NOT RESTORE POWER. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I'M A HEALTHY MAN AND I MANAGED TO GET IT INTO THE SERVICE PLAZA. AFTER SITTING, POWER ASSIST CAME BACK. I'M NOT AN OPTIMIST ABOUT GETTING DEALERS TO FIX INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. I NEVER TOOK THE CAR IN. IN MY OPINION, THE CAR IS ONLY CAPABLE OF MILD AND MINIMAL STEERING DURING THIS FAILURE. MAZDA'S STATEMENT THAT IT POSES NO SAFETY PROBLEM IS WRONG. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THIS CAR QUICKLY UNDER THIS FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356859

18,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Steering

1. I WAS STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM IN MAY 31ST AND WHEN I HAD TO TURN AFTER A WHILE, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. 2. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT FAILED UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. IT HAS …

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1. I WAS STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM IN MAY 31ST AND WHEN I HAD TO TURN AFTER A WHILE, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. 2. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED, IT FAILED UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. IT HAS WORKED FINE SINCE THEN. 3. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. THE CAR IS A 2009 MAZDA 3, 4-DOOR, TR VE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351544

23,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Steering

ON A FEW SEPARATE OCCASIONS (APPROXIMATELY THREE) DURING ESPECIALLY HOT WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA 3. ONE ESPECIALLY CONCERNING INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I HAVE PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND TURNED IT BACK ON, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTI…

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ON A FEW SEPARATE OCCASIONS (APPROXIMATELY THREE) DURING ESPECIALLY HOT WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA 3. ONE ESPECIALLY CONCERNING INSTANCE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME I HAVE PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND TURNED IT BACK ON, FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR THE MOST PART. HOWEVER, ON ONE OCCASION, WHICH OCCURRED IN 100+ DEGREE WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN AND THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING STRUCTURE TO COOL DOWN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AND ULTIMATELY CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350373

21,100 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GT SPORT IN 2 INCIDENTS - JULY 14, 2010 AND AUGUST 11, 2010. IN BOTH CASES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR. ONCE I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER LIT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATIONAL AGAIN. …

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POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ON MY 2009 MAZDA 3 GT SPORT IN 2 INCIDENTS - JULY 14, 2010 AND AUGUST 11, 2010. IN BOTH CASES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE CAR. ONCE I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER LIT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATIONAL AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350023

Official recalls

3

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.

09V187000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

May 29, 2009

MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,100 MY 2009 MAZDA3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM". THE YAW RATE MEASURED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SINE WITH DWELL STEERING INPUT EXCEEDED THE TEST STANDARDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA 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.