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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

115 reports
33,237 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Steering

JUST COMPLETED A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES. UPON TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ITS POWER STEERING. VERY HARD STEERING WHEN TRYING TO FINISH PARKING THE VEHICLE. WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR, STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN OPERATIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341932

25,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TEMPERATURE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED WAS OVER A 100 DEGREES. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TEMPERATURE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED WAS OVER A 100 DEGREES. WHEN HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED STATING THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THAT HE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10341767

42,000 miles · Jul 3, 2010
Steering

MY 22 YEAR OLD SON WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH OUR 2009 MAZDA3, WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY IN THE 90'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ALSO ON. HE DID NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, WITH SOME DIFFICULTY, WITH…

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MY 22 YEAR OLD SON WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH OUR 2009 MAZDA3, WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY IN THE 90'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ALSO ON. HE DID NOT SHUT OFF THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, WITH SOME DIFFICULTY, WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. WHEN I WENT TO LOOK AT IT LATER, AFTER THE CAR HAD COOLED DOWN, IT WAS FINE. THE CAR PURCHASED USED AND HAS 42K MILES; SO IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE DID NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO MY WIFE ON A CURVY ROAD IT COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE SO FAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341338

13,000 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENTLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, FOLLOWED BY THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENTLY THE POWER STEERING FAILED, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, FOLLOWED BY THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #10341117

8,000 miles · Jun 13, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE CAR/STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AND PULSATE. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A WARPED DISC CAUSED BY THE WAY THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND ONLY AN ANNOYANCE. CAR HAS LESS THAN 12K MILES AND IS 14 MONTHS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336028

20,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Suspension

MY 2009 MAZDA3 5-DOOR HAS A LOOSE NUT WHICH CONNECTS THE RIGHT REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR TO THE SUSPENSION. BASED ON AN ONLINE MAZDA FORUM, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. THERE IS NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL, AND MAZDA REFUSES TO EVEN COVER THIS UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328802

8,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SEVERE STEERING SHAKE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. VEHICLE IS ONLY 12 MOS. OLD WITH 10,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327952

18,000 miles · Apr 25, 2010
Steering

MY MAZDA 3 SEDAN LOST ITS POWER STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND DEBRIS IN THE STEERING FLUID. THEY REPLACED THE FLUID, THE FLUID LINES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO THE COST OF $1,400 COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. MY CAR IS APPROX…

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MY MAZDA 3 SEDAN LOST ITS POWER STEERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND DEBRIS IN THE STEERING FLUID. THEY REPLACED THE FLUID, THE FLUID LINES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO THE COST OF $1,400 COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. MY CAR IS APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS OLD - PURCHASED JANUARY 31, 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327325

17,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA3 AS NORMAL. I WENT TO TURN AT A LIGHT AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO BARELY COMPENSATE BUT ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING DIDN'T REACT AS I EXPECTED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS RESET. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MAZDA3 AS NORMAL. I WENT TO TURN AT A LIGHT AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO BARELY COMPENSATE BUT ALMOST HIT A CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING DIDN'T REACT AS I EXPECTED. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS RESET. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN CRACKS IN THE TUBING ALLOWING MOISTURE INTO THE SYSTEM THAT SHORTS OUT THE PUMP AND CAUSES THE FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN IF NOT CORRECTED. THEY REPLACED THE TUBES AND THE PUMP AT NO COST TO ME BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL OR AT LEAST BEEN REPORTED AS A POSSIBILITY TO OWNERS. THIS IS HIGHLY UNSAFE AND IF IT HAPPENED AT THE WRONG TIME SUCH AS ON AN EXPRESSWAY COULD HAVE LED TO A SEVERE CRASH. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325402

19,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Power Train

MY 2009 MAZDA 3 HAS EXPERIENCED OVER HEATING OF THE TRANSAXLE (TRANSMISSION) WHEN OPERATING IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES OF 100 DEGREES AND OVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND TALKED TO MAZDA CORP. AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEIR ONLY ADVICE IS TO PULL OVER AND LET THE TRANSMISSION COOL DOWN. THIS HAS BE…

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MY 2009 MAZDA 3 HAS EXPERIENCED OVER HEATING OF THE TRANSAXLE (TRANSMISSION) WHEN OPERATING IN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES OF 100 DEGREES AND OVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND TALKED TO MAZDA CORP. AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEIR ONLY ADVICE IS TO PULL OVER AND LET THE TRANSMISSION COOL DOWN. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO HAVING TO PULL OVER IN SOME LESS THAN SAFE AREAS.

NHTSA ODI #10322413

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.