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2008 Mazda MAZDA5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 37.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

60 reports with mileage · 7 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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

67 reports
72,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Air BagsEngine

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY. THE CAR'S HEAT INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON HIGH AND THEN WENT TO COLD. HE COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR PAST 45 MILES. WHEN MY HUSBAND EXITED THE RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE INCIDENT COULD POTENTIALLY PUT MY HUSBAND …

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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY. THE CAR'S HEAT INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON HIGH AND THEN WENT TO COLD. HE COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR PAST 45 MILES. WHEN MY HUSBAND EXITED THE RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE INCIDENT COULD POTENTIALLY PUT MY HUSBAND IN A DEADLY ACCIDENT HAVING HAD STALLED AND STOPPED ON A HIGHWAY WITH CARS SPEEDING BEHIND HIM. WE WERE TOLD BY A MAZDA DEALER THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE WHICH APPARENTLY BLEW. THEY CLAIM THE ENGINE HAD NO OIL, BUT WE KNOW THE CAR SHOULD HAVE HAD OIL. NO CHECK OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. IN ADDITION, THIS CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 6 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THAT TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SLOW LANE AND DRIVE IT SLOWLY AS THAT TIME IT ALSO DID NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE PAST 45 MILES. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM STATING THAT IT WAS THE TRANS CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. EARLIER THIS MONTH THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE MORE, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I FAILED TO MENTION THAT A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING. WE EXPECTED ALL THE TROUBLES WITH THE CAR TO BE ELECTRICAL, BUT EITHER WAY THESE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE CAUSED OUR LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463089

46,000 miles · Jan 18, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS WERE FRACTURED, LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SENT THE MANUFACTURER AN EMAIL AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. NO REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS WERE FRACTURED, LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SENT THE MANUFACTURER AN EMAIL AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10444449

22,449 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Tires

TOYO TIRES SIZE 205 50 17 FAILED AT 22,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427220

48,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN A TIRE SUDDENLY BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN A TIRE SUDDENLY BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10393772

67,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Steering

TOOK CAR IN DUE TO RECALL NOTICE FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE FOR REPLACEMENT PART. NEW PART INSTALLED WAS DEFECTIVE AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386865

46,000 miles · Jan 10, 2011
StructureVisibility

THE GLASS PANEL OF 2008 MAZDA5 MOONROOF EXPLODED ON HIGHWAY WITH NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY THE INSIDE COVER WAS IN PLACE AND NOT MANY BROKEN PIECES FELL DOWN FROM THE GAP. AFTER A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THE ISSUE SEEMS NOT UNCOMMON AMONG MAZDA CARS AND MINIVANS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375443

17,789 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Steering

ON 8/24/10 I WAS DRIVING IN SF CITY TRAFFIC AS I NEARED AN INTERSECTION, MY POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 MAZDA 5 FAILED. I PULLED OVER INTO A RED ZONE, BARELY OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I READ THE MANUAL AND IT SUGGESTED TURNING THE CAR ON AGAIN. I DID BUT THE STEERING LIGHT REMAINED ON. I MOVED THE CAR (WITH DIFFICULT…

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ON 8/24/10 I WAS DRIVING IN SF CITY TRAFFIC AS I NEARED AN INTERSECTION, MY POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 MAZDA 5 FAILED. I PULLED OVER INTO A RED ZONE, BARELY OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I READ THE MANUAL AND IT SUGGESTED TURNING THE CAR ON AGAIN. I DID BUT THE STEERING LIGHT REMAINED ON. I MOVED THE CAR (WITH DIFFICULTY AND NO SMALL AMOUNT OF STRESS) TO A SAFER LOCATION. I CALLED MAZDA AND THEY CAME AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPAIRED THE CAR IN 4 DAYS TIME. THEY TOLD US THEY WERE "ABOUT" TO SEND OUT RECALL NOTICES ON THE MAZDA 5. THE NEXT DAY (8/25) I READ IN THE NY TIMES AUTO SECTION THAT THE MAZDA CORP. IN JAPAN HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE FOR 2 YEARS. THIS SEEMS INCREDIBLE TO ME, GIVEN THAT THE CAR IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD. LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED BUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT THEN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352484

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2010
Suspension

MAZDA 5 - 2008 SHOCKS AND STRUTS CAUSES CAR UNBALANCED AND DAMAGING RUBBERS (BETWEEN SHOCK AND FRAME) TO CAUSE NOISES. THIS ALSO DAMAGES THE TIRES AND TIRE ALIGNMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352341

22,999 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING TWO TIMES ON MY MAZDA 5. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352158

26,400 miles · Aug 16, 2010
SteeringCrashInjury

FIRST INCIDENT, POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING A U-TURN. WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REGAINED POWER AFTER HALF AN HOUR. SECOND INCIDENT, ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A SWERVING CAR, BUT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. ENDED UP SPINNING OUT AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR AND THE CENTER MEDIAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349666

Official recalls

1

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.