2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 Steering Problems

The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED AND MAKING TURN. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE PARKING BRAKE AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES IN TWO DAYS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE POWER STEERING, HOWEVER THE REPAIR HAD NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND IT WAS A ONE-TIME FREE FIX AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.....LOST POWER STEERING AT ONLY 110,000 MILES...ABS BREAK SYSTEM NOT WORKING

Mileage: 110,000

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I COMPLETELY LOST MY POWER STEERING GOING ABOUT 55 MPH, WE LIVE IN A VERY RURAL CURVEY AREA. AT OTHER TIMES I HAVE BEEN GOING IN REVERSE OR DRIVING AND MY CAR WOULD SHAKE AND JUST SHUT OFF! THIS.WOULD HAPPEN WOULD TURNING ONTO.THE ROAD OR GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD INSTANTLY START BACK UP OR I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR IN A SAFE AREA (IF POSSIBLE) AND WAIT. I HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD AND 8 YEAR OLD SON HAVING A RELIABLE CAR IS EXTREME PRIORITY FOR US, I'M SO SCARED OF MY CAR. WE DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT WHEN IT SHUT OFF AND THE MECHANIC COULDNT FIND ANYTHING NOTICEABLE. HE SAID I WOULD BASICALLY HAVE TO JUST START REPLACING PARTS AND SEE WHICH PART FIXES THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 117,000

POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING

Mileage: 146,770

LOSS OF STEERING, IMMEDIATELY FIXED ITSELF BUT WITH STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ON DASH. VEHICLE IN MOTION. LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

Mileage: 161,000

WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MY 2008 MAZDA 3 SHIFTS DOWN FROM THE 5TH TO THE 3RD GEAR. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTROLS TO ILLUMINATE INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE, NO TRACTION AND AT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE OF THIS, AND HE SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION BY CHANGING THE FILTER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ONE MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE SPEED SENSOR ANOTHER THE TRANSMISSIONS COMPUTER I HAVE SPEND ABOUT 1,800 AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS VERY SCARY FOR MY KIDS AND MYSELF WHILE DRIVING AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER CAR. WHAT IS THE PROBLEMS WITH MAZDA WITH MY CAR? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP?! ALSO ALL THE ELECTRICAL STOP WORKING ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, ANOTHER THING IS THE STEERING WHEELS PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING A TURN IT REALLY TIME FOREVER AND IT IS REALLY SLOW AND HEAVY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE VERY SLOWLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2010 BY STAR MAZDA IN GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA FOR THE SAME FAILURE PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THIS TIME AND THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING. ABS, BRAKE , PS , BATTERY LIGHTS ON DASH ILLUMINATED, CAR LOOSES STEERING AND THEN THE ENGINE DIES. BATTERY DISCHARGED AS PER LOAD TEST.ALTERNATOR TESTS FINE. HAPPENED TWO TIMES AFTER THE POWER STEERING MANUFACTURER RECALL WAS PERFORMED TO REMEDY THE SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 39,345

AEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2008 MAZDA3..... HOWEVER MY VIN ISNT ASSOSIATED WITH ANY AND I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMA. POWER STEERINGS UNIT STRIPPED2 OR THE 3 BOLTS HOLES ANS FELL DOWN FROM CRACKED ENGINE MOUNTS SLIGHT RATTLING..... STATIONARY AND MOVING. IDLE IS AT 500-1,000 RPMS VERY ODD FEELING. RANDOM BODY DAMAGE AND ENTIRE OF BOTTOM ENGINE RUSTY.... PAINT RUSTS AS WELL. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR ON FINANCE AND REALLY NEED SOME HELP

Mileage: 68,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS WRITTEN IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT DEALERS WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER REPORTEDLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND LINES, AND THAT REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DISCREPANCY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS SEIZED INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING HAD EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT, WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,352.

Mileage: 79,352

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS CURVING TO THE RIGHT. CAUSED MY CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND RAN ALONG A RAIL UNTIL THE I BRAKED THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. LAST YEAR I HAD THE MAZDA SERVICED WHICH THEY HAD FIXED THE RECALL SUPPOSEDLY. BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. I MAY NOT BE LUCKY THE NEXT TIME.

Mileage: 50

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FENCE AND THE MILE MARKER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

ON ABOUT JULY 16, 2015 THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY TO STEER VEHICLE. I CALLED MAZDA DEALER TO EXPLAIN FAILURE AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD REPAIR UNDER RECALL. THEY SAID MAZDA WOULD ONLY HONOR RECALL REPAIR ONCE. I DO NOT BELIEVE MAZDA REPAIRED THE ISSUE. I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO PROVIDE A FIX THAT PREVENTS THIS FAILURE FROM REOCCURRING. NOTE: ON 1/27/2011 I HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE REGARDING POWER STEERING. VEHICLE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED BY BYERS MAZDA IN COLUMBUS OHIO AND ROAD TESTED TO CONFIRM REPAIRS.

Mileage: 145,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND FLUID LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE PARTS AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIR. UPDATED 12/10/15*JS

Mileage: 78,000

THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS RENDERING THE CAR TOTALLY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS CHANGED SOME MONTHS AGO BUT THE STEERING LOCK UP HAPPENED AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 AFTER THAT FIX. WE WERE TOLD THE POWER STEERING FIX SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT.

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY SEIZED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE SPUN AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BY AMBULANCE AND WAS TREATED FOR BRUISING, WHIPLASH, ACUTE NECK, BACK, SHOULDER, AND LEG TRAUMAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

IN THE PAST MONTH THE RADIO, LIGHTS, THE CLUSTER, ALL SHUT DOWN AND RESTART AS DRIVING. LAST NIGHT AS DRIVING ON TELEGRAPH RD, 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING, I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME, AS I WAS SWITCHING IN NEUTRAL, AND BACK IN DRIVE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN REGAIN CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT. I REMEMBER HAVING THIS ISSUE BACK IN JAN. OF 2011, AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT, THAT I HAVE HAD FIXED. THE PATTERN IS THAT I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2008, 3 YEARS LATER - IN 2011 THE RECALL TOOK CARE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART, AND NOW, 3 YEARS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE SAME ISSUE ARISE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS, AS IS HAPPENS AS DRIVING UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR

Mileage: 68,606

THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL ISSUE. THE RECALL WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE BY THE DEALER. I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A BIGGER ISSUE REGARDING "DESIGN NEGLIGENCE" BY MAZDA AS IT RELATES TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON THIS 2008-3. YOU SEE, THE PUMP (AN ITEGRAL PART OF THE STEERING AND VEHICLE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM) IS MOUNTED OUTSIDE THE CAR'S FRAME, JUST FORWARD OF THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. IT IS BASICALLY JUST BEHIND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT/BUMPER/QUARTER PANEL ASSEMBLY. THIS LOCATION MAKES IT VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE IN EVEN MINOR ACCIDENTS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE IN THE VERY INSTANT WHERE CONTROL AND MANEUVERABILITY MAY KEEP OTHERS FROM BEING INJURED OR KILLED. WHAT BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION WAS WHEN A DEER RECENTLY RAN INTO THIS VERY LOCATION AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND THEREFORE UNDRIVABLE. MY DAUGHTER (WHO SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION) WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS VERY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TECHNICALLY DRIVABLE (MINUS QUARTER PANEL, LEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT AND PART OF THE BUMPER COVER) SHE COULD NOT PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE OFFICER WRITING UP THE ACCIDENT REPORT TRIED TO MANEUVER THE CAR OFF OF THE ROAD TO A SAFER LOCATION AND WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PHYSICALLY STEER THE CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE TURNING OF THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT A HIGHER SPEED AND ON A BUSIER ROADWAY OR HIGHWAY. THIS TYPE OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND PROSECUTED. CAR MANUFACTURERS NEED TO BE MADE TO LOCATE CRITICAL SAFETY, HANDLING, AND MANUEVERABILITY COMPONENTS/EQUIPMENT IN PLACES AFFORDED SOME REASONABLE MEASURE OF PROTECTION AND SURVIVABILITY IN MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

MY STEERING IS TIGHT UNAVAILABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR THE IN-TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM'S RIM ATTACHING NUT CORRODED OFF OF THE VALVE STEM ON THE TIRE. TIRE PRESSURE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AND HAD TO STOP AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE VALVE STEM FELL INTO THE TIRE ONCE PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. ALL 4 TIRES ALL CORRODED EVENLY AND NEED TO HAVE THE STEMS AND NUTS REPLACED. I'VE OPTED FOR A RUBBER VALVE STEM WHILST SUBMITTING COMPLAINTS. I STILL HAVE NOT HAD THE 3 OTHER TIRES FIXED. REPLACEMENT NON-ALUMINUM TPMS ARE 35-50 A PIECE + INSTALLATION. 1. CHEAP NUTS THAT CRACK AND FALL OFF TIRE STEMS. 2. ALUMINUM STEMS THAT CORRODE COMPLETELY REMOVING THE THREADS. 3. HIGH SPEED CRASH HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

WHILE DRIVING APPROX 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY MY BRAKES FAILED (FELT LIKE THEY LOCKED UP, AS THEY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PUSH PEDAL). I HAD TO SHIFT SUDDENLY IN TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REDUCE MY SPEED AND PULL SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER. THIS SAME INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED ON 8/10/2012. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEED. UPON SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING THE CAR PULLED HEAVILY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT A LARGE TREE ON THIS VERY NARROW ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 30,633

I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT. AS THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE THE STEERING FELT SLUGGISH LIKE THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONDITION LASTED A FEW SECONDS THEN CLEARED UP. THAT HAPPENED TWICE MORE AS I WAS BACKING OUT. WHENEVER THE STEERING BECAME SLUGGISH SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON (LOW TIRE, ABS, BRAKE, OIL, ETC). THEY TURNED OFF WHENEVER THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONDITION SEEMED TO CLEAR ITSELF SO I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND WENT A FEW HUNDRED FEET. THE SLUGGISH STEERING AND FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN AGAIN. I STOPPED THE CAR, LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING AND CHECKED THE TIRES, POWER STEERING BELT, AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL. ALL WERE OK. AT THIS POINT I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVED THE KEY. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLES OSCILLATED WILDLY FROM END TO END FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ON. AFTER WAITING FOR THE INSTRUMENTATION TO SETTLE TO THE NORMAL OFF STATE, I INSERTED THE KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER WHATEVER, LIKE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REMOVED. I REMOVED THE KEY WAITED 15 SECONDS AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THAT TIME THE CAR STARTED AS EXPECTED. I DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THERE WAS NO RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES SINCE THEN WITH NO RECURRENCE OF THE STEERING ISSUE OR FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS.

Mileage: 49,150

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN LEFT LANE ON INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY TURNED INTO CONCRETE DIVIDER. *TR

Mileage: 72,773

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST AND AS A RESULT, CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM), WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE TECHNICIAN AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL DUE TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE WAITING ON THE NECESSARY PARTS TO ARRIVE BEFORE PERFORMING THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL BEING INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING TWO RECALL NOTICES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000(STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). SINCE AUGUST OF LAST YEAR SHE TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, BUT THEY CONTINUED TO ADVISE HER THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR HAD THE MANUFACTURER BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/11

MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN A MAZDA RECALL OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED MY STEERING HAS PERFORMED IN AN ERRATIC, UNPREDICTABLE AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS MANNER. IN THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY AND BECAUSE NO FAULT CODES WERE GENERATED, NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT NEGATE THE FACT THAT THE STEERING IS FAILING AND THAT MY SAFETY IS BEING COMPROMISED.

Mileage: 24,334

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 ON I-75 ON 3/22/2011 WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I CONTINUED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY, STRUCK A ROAD SIGN, AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN A DITCH. THIS ALL OCCURRED 12 DAYS AFTER I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE RECALLED POWER STEERING PUMP. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN ONLY 12 DAYS AFTER THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND PUMP LINE WERE REPLACED. I WONDER IF THE PUMP HAD INDEED BEEN REPLACED OR IF A NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. OR MAYBE THE NEW PUMP IS JUST AS DEFECTIVE AS THE OLD PUMP!!! IT WILL COST $8,000-$10,000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $1,000 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE. THE ONLY GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE SIDE IMPACT AND HEAD AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THAT I WAS NOT INJURED BADLY. I FEEL THAT MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HOW THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS RECALL. I HAVE READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS AND THERE IS NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 23,750

2008 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR THE POWER STEERING. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS TRIED TO OBTAIN REPAIR BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH DEALERS INFORMED HIM THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART, BUT HE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ONE DEALER AND IT TOOK OVER A MONTH FOR THE OTHER DEALER TO CONTACT HIM. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY WERE ON SHORT SUPPLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PARTS HAD BEEN ON SHORT SUPPLY FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS, PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WAS ADVISED OF A RECALL FOR A POTENTIAL POWER STEERING (#6010H) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010. UNLESS YOU ALREADY HAD THE SYMPTOMS, THEY ADVISED TO DO NOTHING UNTIL A SECOND NOTICE WAS SENT, AS PARTS WERE IN SHORT SUPPLY. IT WOULD SEEM 4+ MONTHS WOULD BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TIME TO SECURE THE PARTS. I DRIVE ON WINDY 2 LANE MOUNTAINOUS ROADS EVERY WORKDAY; FAILURE OF POWER STEERING ASSIST ON THESE ROADS COULD BE DEADLY. WHY IS IT TAKING MAZDA SO LONG TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM?

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA 3 WITH POWER STEERING ISSUES. I DID GET THE RECALL REPAIR FIXED IN OCT 2010 BUT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN THIS WEEK (JAN 19TH 2011). I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE RECALLED PUMP AND NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT OR SHOW ME OTHER CASES LIKE THIS THAT WHERE TAKEN CARE OF BUT NOT MINE. I HAVE REVIEWED CLOSE TO 1000 COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WHERE MAZDA PAID FOR A LOANER CAR AND MADE CAR PAYMENTS UNTIL THIS ISSUE WAS FIXED. I AM NOT WILING TO PAY $920 FOR AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED 100% BY THE DEALER WITH THIS RECALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM WILLING TO GO TO THE NEXT STEP TO MAKE SURE JUSTICE IS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE A DEATH HAPPENS (MORE DEATHS) FROM THE LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY OF MAZDA. *TR

Mileage: 72,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF CAUSING THE CONTACT LIMITED ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 33,000.

Mileage: 33,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL. THE CONTACT STEERED TO THE LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE INSTEAD VIOLENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER ONCE CRASHING AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

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

Mileage: 19,800

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.

Mileage: 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 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.

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

Mileage: 51,642

LEFT MY CAR RUNNING IN DRIVE, WHEN I CAME BACK OUT 10 MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK. *TR

Mileage: 35,880

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK AND RIGHT ARM AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V374000-STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) YET THE RECALL WAS NOT SCHEDULED TO BEGIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Mileage: 18,000

MY DAUGHTER WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN FOR HER. I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND A LIGHT WITH A STEERING-WHEEL AND EXPLANATION POINT WAS SHOWING. I TOLD HER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. SHE DID AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL WAS THERE AND NO POWER-STEERING. SHE TRIED THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. IT WAS THEN I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. HE CALLED THE DEALER WHO TOLD US TO BRING IT RIGHT IN. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH IT OFF AND SWITCHING PLACES, I STARTED IT AND IT WAS STILL NOT WORKING. I HAD TO DRIVE IT SEVERAL MILES WITH NO POWER TO THE STEERING-WHEEL. WOW! TALK ABOUT TAKING A STEP BACK IN TIME. MY DAUGHTER COULD SEE ME STRUGGLE TO TURN THE STEERING-WHEEL. WHEN I PULLED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE POWER CAME BACK ON OUT OF THE BLUE! THIS IS A VEHICLE I NOW NO LONGER TRUST FOR SAFETY ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 33,111

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN AT 10 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL BUSHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND STEERING PUMP FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,367 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,500. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/10

Mileage: 12,367

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

Mileage: 20,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO ATTEMPT A U-TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING LINES UNDER THE CONTACTS WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,583.

Mileage: 26,583

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,500.

Mileage: 16,000

POWER STEERING FUNCTION WAS LOST TWICE LAST YEAR IN MY MAZDA 3. THE PWR STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD LITTLE CONTROL OF THE STEERING FUNCTION IN THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA 3. I BOUGHT IT IN 2009 AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON BUT THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON ,SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE LIGHT WENT OFF ,THEN I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM . THEY TOLD ME THAT MAZDA DOES THAT FROM TIME TO TIME TO JUST TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. AUGUST 17,2010 WAS THE WORST IT HAPPEN FIVE TIMES WHILE I PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WAITING ON MY GIRLS TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND SOMETHING TO BE DONE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERS COLLISION CENTER TO REPAIR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

Mileage: 22,000

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE IN FLORIDA LAST WINTER I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE POWER STEERING DURING EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY WHILE I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT MAYBE DUE TO HOW HOT THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS, MAYBE WE USED UP POWER STEERING FLUID. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A NEARBY AUTO PARTS STORE, BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID AND ADDED A SMALL AMT. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT IT ONLY REQUIRED LESS THAN AN OUNCE. AFTER A REST PERIOD, THE CAR REGAINED POWER STEERING AND WE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANOTHER PROBLEM. WE DID HAVE A MAZDA DEALER IN FLORIDA CHECK IT OUT AND THEY CLAIMED NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE COMPUTER. WELL, OVER THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND WHEN WE WERE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF HOT, HUMID WEATHER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. IT SEEMED THAT AFTER YOU SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND ALLOWED THE CAR TO COOL OFF, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY INSISTED WE BRING IT RIGHT IN AS LONG AS THE WEATHER WASN'T HOT. THEY RENTED US A CAR AND KEPT OUR CAR FOR A WEEK TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. THEY INSTALLED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP AND NEW HYDRAULIC FLUID LINES. SO FAR, WE HAVE HAD NOT FURTHER PROBLEMS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. BOTH TIMES, WE WERE ALMOST AT A STANDSTILL. THE ONLY SIMILARITIES WERE THE EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY AND THAT WE WERE USING THE AIR CONDITIONER. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

POWER STEERING LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON THEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING LEADING TO HEAVY STEERING. ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL, WE WERE ADVISED TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THEN BACK ON. EVEN THEN, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN, LEADING TO VERY HEAVY STEERING. AFTER THOSE TWO INCIDENTS THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO BE WORKING OK. THERE IS PLENTY OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. I CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE IN DETAIL AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS NOW OFF AND NORMAL STEERING RESUMED - HE ADVISED THERE IS NO NEED TO BRING IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE LIKE MY WIFE WHO LACKS UPPER BODY STRENGTH. THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE WHEEL WITHOUT POWER STEERING IS A LOT, EVEN FOR A MAN LIKE ME. SLOW SPEED STEERING IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 17,390

I HAD JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 MAZDA 3 AND AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP WITH IT, WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING WHEN NOT 1 HOUR BEFORE I TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND IT WAS FINE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN I TOOK IT DOWN THE ROAD TO THE SERVICE CENTER THEY STATED THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT. IT WAS ABOUT 95 DEGREES THAT DAY. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I WAS LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING OR SOMETHING SERIOUS MAY HAVE HAPPENED. HE AGREED. *TR

Mileage: 23,904

2008 MAZDA 3 APPROX 28K MILES. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC ON A HOT DAY - POWER STEERING FAILED, WITH WARNING LIGHT ON. LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE - THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM OF MAZDA VEHICLES OF STEERING FAILURES IN HOTTER OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS INFORMATION IS EASILY SEEN WITH A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK INTO THIS - BUT IT WAS FUNNY THAT THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGING OF A KNOWN PROBLEM DURING THE INITIAL CALL. *TR

Mileage: 25,573

AFTER I WAS IN LENGTHY TRAFFIC JAM ENTERING BWI FOR DEPARTURE ON THURSDAY AUGUST 5TH, I PULLED TO THE CURB TO LET OUT PASSENGER. ON RESTARTING MY 2008 MAZDA 3I, I NOTICED IT WAS MUCH HARDER TO TURN STEERING WHEEL--I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THEN I NOTICED THE YELLOW STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR ON THE DASH. I COULD TURN THE WHEEL, BUT IT TOOK MUCH MORE EFFORT THAN NORMAL. MY WIFE CHECKED OWNERS MANUAL AND MAZDA'S SUGGESTION IS TO RESTART THE CAR. ULTIMATELY I DID SO AND THE POWER STEERING RESUMED - WITH NO INDICATOR LIGHT GLOWING. SINCE THEN I DROVE THE CAR 300+ MILES WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA 3 "S" AND WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND A GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. TRYING TO PULL OVER WAS DIFFICULT AS THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 38500. JUST 2000 MILES OVER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR FAILING ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMPS IN THE 07-10 MAZDA 3'S. THIS SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AS THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 38,500

MAZDA 3 POWER STEERING. W/O ANY WARNING MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON PULLING ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY W/ MY 2 YR OLD SON IN THE CAR. PULLED OVER TURNED MY CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE. I CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT WAS FULL. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP YET BECAUSE I WAS RESEARCHING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM W/ THEIR MAZDA 3. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2008 MAZDA 3 SUDDENLY GAVE OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND THE POWER STEERING FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. RE-STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHILE MERGING THROUGH TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 38,500

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, APPROX. 20 MILE DRIVE, WHEN 5 MILES FROM HOME THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. LOOKED AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL, RECOMMENDED SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTING. DID THAT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THEN. MAY HAVE DEALER LOOK AT IT AND TRY TO GET THEM TO REPLACE DUE TO RECENT NEWS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

I DRIVE A 2008 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HOT DAY (ABOUT 95 DEGREES) AND THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. THE CAR'S EQUIPPED WITH A POWER STEERING FAILURE INDICATOR LIGHT AND IT DID NOT TURN ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED UNDER VERY SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CAR WORKED FINE AFTER BEING PARKED IN A GARAGE FOR 24HRS OR SO WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED LAST TIME. UPDATED 08/19/10*BF UPDATED IVOQ 08/23/10*JB *TR

Mileage: 29,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED. THERE WAS DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL INTO A PARKING LOT UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT POWER STEERING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR PART ARRIVAL DATE WOULD BE JULY 29, 2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/1610

Mileage: 20,000

SITTING IN PARKING LOT, ENGINE AND A/C ON, THEN TRIED TO PULL OUT, POWER STEERING FAILED; HAD TO WAIT ONE HOUR FOR CAR TO COOL BEFORE THE STEERING CAME BACK ON. *TR THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED, COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA 3'S APPARENTLY. AT LEAST IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE ROAD.

Mileage: 12,800

2008 MAZDA 3I. STEERING COLUMN SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS (60 MPH). *TR

Mileage: 25,000

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT RUSH HOUR AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SECONDS I LOST POWER STEERING AND MY CAR WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER OFF OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE CALLED TODAY TO SAY THAT THE LIGHT IS OUT NOW AND THE CAR IS DRIVING FINE. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. MY SISTER ALSO HAS A 2008 MAZDA3 AND SHE ALSO HAD POWER STEERING FAILURE LAST YEAR AT 35,000 MILES WHICH THE DEALERSHIP FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! *TR

Mileage: 48,000

POWER STEERING ON 2008 MAZDA 3 WENT OUT AND INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. FLUID LEVEL IS GOOD AND VEHICLE HAS 33,000 MILES (ORIGINAL OWNER). FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING LOW SPEED AND CLOSE TO HOME AS IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. STARTED THE VEHICLE TODAY AND THE PROBLEM IS GONE. NOTED SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SO I WANT TO ENSURE NHTSA KNOWS ABOUT IT. WILL BE TAKING TO THE DEALER NEXT. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

MY 2008 MAZDA 3 WAS IDLING IN THE PARKING LOT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND I'M UNABLE TO STEER MY CAR. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET KILLED. MY POWER STEERING FLUID IS ABOVE THE MAX LINE AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE ALRIGHT. AFTER TURNING MY CAR ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES IT EVENTUALLY STARTS WORKING CORRECTLY. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT ON MY 2008 MAZDA-3. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE LITTLE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON, AND ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER MY CAR. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN IM DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH FOR SOME REASON. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A WRECK. MY CAR IS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD AND IT DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOTHING I DID TO IT. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I TOOK MY MAZDA INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY NOT ONLY SEEMED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT (AS IF THEY'VE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MORE THAN ONCE) BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO 'OFFICIAL' RECALL AS OF YET. THEN THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS COST ME $800-900 TO FIX. I REALLY CANT AFFORD TO PAY THAT OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO! I AM 26 YEARS OLD & BOUGHT THAT CAR UNDER THE ASSUMPTION OF GETTING MANY GOOD YEARS OUT OF IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. ITS BEEN A GREAT CAR AND I REALLY LIKE (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITS RECENT POWER STEERING PROBLEM AS FORMENTIONED). PLEASE HELP! *TR

Mileage: 37,000

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING HARDLY, REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR FEW MINUTES TO COOL DOWN, AFTER FEW MINUTES POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN, STEERING KIT REPLACED BY MAZDA DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 35,251

I DRIVE A 2008 MAZDA 3. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. TODAY WAS THE MOST RECENT, THE SECOND TIME WAS ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, AND THE FIRST TIME WAS ANOTHER 3-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE SECOND TIME. THE LAST TWO TIMES I WAS PARKED, STARTED THE ENGINE, TRIED TO DRIVE AND REALIZED THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. WITH GREAT PHYSICAL EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO REPARK THE CAR, STOP THE ENGINE, AND AFTER ABOUT 10-20 MINUTES THE POWER STEERING BEGAN WORKING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY BUSINESS. IT TOOK GREAT PHYSICAL EFFORT TO TURN THE CAR AND I THINK IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AND FIND A SAFE SPOT TO PARK IF I HAD BEEN IN LOTS OF TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND RESULT IN CRASHES. I WAS LUCKY THAT ALL THREE TIMES I WAS EITHER DRIVING SLOW OR PARKED. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, THIRD TIME IN A WEEK THIS HAS OCCURRED. HAS YET TO BE FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE POWER STEERING BY MAKING UNKNOWN REPAIRS UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE WEEK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

Mileage: 37,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON IN THE PARK POSITION FOR A FEW MINUTES; HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND AFTER SHE TURNED IT BACK ON, IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,746.

Mileage: 37,700

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON OUR MAZDA 3 WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD. IT HAPPENED UNEXPECTEDLY AND SEVERELY ENOUGH THAT MY HUSBAND HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE CAR AND HAD TO PULL OVER. ALL FLUIDS WERE FULL AND WE HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE CAR. CALLED OUR MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TRIED TO CHARGE US BUT SAID WE BARELY SLIPPED IN UNDER THE WARRANTY TIMELINE SO THE PART WAS COVERED. NOW WE FIND OUT THERE IS A POTENTIAL RECALL LOOMING FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTROUS SITUATION AND MAZDA'S HANDLING OF IT WAS SUB-PAR TO SAY THE LEAST. THEY GAVE US A LOANER AND ARE FIXING THE CAR AT NO CHARGE BUT THEIR POSITION WHEN WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THEM WAS THAT WE SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. THEY TOOK NO OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AT FIRST AND NEVER BOTHERED TO MENTION THIS WAS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THEY WERE SEEING, ESPECIALLY IN THE '08 MAZDA 3. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

I OWN A 2008, MAZDA 3. IT HAS ABOUT 34,000 MILES. I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON ROUTE 75 JUST OUTSIDE OF CINCINNATI WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC WERE DIRECTED OFF AN EXIT BECAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT CLOSING THE HIGHWAY..THIS WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WITH NO POWER STEERING. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF MY CAR, PREPARING TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THE STEERING WORKED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND AND AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I COMMUTE AN HOUR TO WORK EVERYDAY. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA3. ONCE WHEN WE WERE IN FLORIDA AND AGAIN THIS WEEK, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. BOTH TIMES THE WEATHER WAS EXTREMELY HOT. MY HUSBAND PUT APPROX. 1 OUNCE OF POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE POWER STEERING RECEPTACLE AND BOTH TIMES THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. WHEN IN FLORIDA WE TOOK THE CAR TO FURMAN MAZDA IN TAMPA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CODE IN THE CAR AND IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK. THIS WEEK IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN MY HUSBAND PUT ABOUT 1 OUNCE OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE CAR AND IT WAS CORRECTED. WE CALLED RAY PRICE MAZDA IN STROUDSBURG, PA. WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD US TO BRING THE CAR IN AND THEY GAVE US A RENTAL CAR TO USE UNTIL THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES ARE REPLACED. THEY TOLD US THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALSO THE LINES ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH. WE WERE FORTUNATE BOTH TIMES TO BE ABLE TO PARK AND STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE SOMEWHERE WHERE WE COULDN'T SAFELY GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 24,000

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND WHEN SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED YESTERDAY ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF AT A MAZDA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. RD

Mileage: 36,000

WHEN PLACING MY MAZDA INTO REVERSE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TOTALLY LOCKED. I AM NOT ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AT ALL. WHEN I HAVE TURNED THE CAR ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WILL REACTIVATE. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS "NO PROBLEM" AND CHARGED ME $42.00 FOR THE "CHECKUP". WITHIN 2 DAYS, THE INCIDENT RECURRED TWICE. THE CAR IS NOW BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. A STAFF MEMBER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A "TECHNICAL BULLETIN" OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS CAR OBVIOUSLY BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I EVIDENCED ON-LINE. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE USUAL MANNER WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE BUT WAS VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL ONCE IT WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RE-STARTED SOMETIME LATER. *TR

Mileage: 16,500

HOT DAY, VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR 20-30 MINUTES WITHOUT MOVING. POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. WAS ADVISED TO TURN IT OFF THEN ON FOR TEN MINUTES, WORKED FINE. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA3 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 90 DEGREE DAY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WE HEARD A THUMP, LIKE RUNNING OVER A PAVEMENT REFLECTOR, THEN 20 SECONDS LATER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO USE TWO HANDS TO PULL IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A RESTART, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. *TR

Mileage: 27,200

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON A HOT SUMMER DAY I WENT TO CHANGE LANES TO GRAB A COMING EXIT, IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LANE CHANGE THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, TO THE POINT THAT I ALMOST HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN. ONCE I WAS GOING STRAIGHT I LOOKED AT MY DASH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. I PULLED OVER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AN ON AND MY POWER STEERING CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND THEY QUICKLY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND PUT IN A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FACT THAT THE MAZDA DEALER WAS AWARE THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WAS POSSIBLE ON MY CAR BUT DID NOT TELL ME LED TO ME ALMOST BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 MAZDA 3 HOME FROM VACATION. SHE WAS IN NEW YORK CITY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE STOPPED CAR. RE-STARTED APPRX 30 MINUTES LATER IT WAS OK. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE STILL IN NEW YORK. SHE WAS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. SHE COULD NOT STEER CAR AND HAD TO STOP IN THE HOV BUS LANE. SHE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR WITH HER NEWBORN BABY. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 38000, LESS THEN 3 YEARS OLD, ALWAYS MAINTAINED AT 3000 INTERVALS. WE HAD TO PAY OVER 600 TO HAVE FIXED AND WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL. SOME COMPONENTS FAILED AFTER HAVING IT BACK FOR 2 DAYS, RETURNED TO DEALER AND HAD TO PAY ALMOST 200 TO HAVE REPAIRED. WE ARE OUT OVER 800 FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IN ADDITION WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERED ALMOST NOTHING. *TR

Mileage: 38,400

HI - I SAW IN A NEWS STORY THAT YOU OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION INTO MAZDA3 POWER STEERING. THIS IS A PROBLEM I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA3 PURCHASED NEW IN EARLY APRIL 2008. BASICALLY, THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON ME - THE VEHICLE IS STILL FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND THE WARNING LIGHT DOES GO ON, BUT IT JUST REQUIRES A LOT OF MUSCLE TO TURN ON THE CAR. BOTH TIMES, IT WAS ON A WARM DAY (I LIVE IN CHICAGO) AND TOWARD THE END OF A RELATIVELY LONG COMMUTE (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES+) OF MOSTLY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, SO I WONDERED IF IT MAY BE HEAT-RELATED BUT THAT COULD ALSO BE COINCIDENCE. THE FIRST TIME, I DROVE IT THE REMAINING MILE OR SO AND WAS ABLE TO PARK IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, POWER STEERING STILL DIDN'T WORK. WHEN I CAME LATER (EITHER A FEW HOURS OR THE NEXT DAY), IT WAS FINE. SECOND TIME WAS SIMILAR, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE BETTER MENTAL NOTES OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE TRIGGERED IT - THIS TIME, IT WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER I CUT THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO ONE SIDE WHEN THE CAR WAS PRACTICALLY STATIONARY. AGAIN, HARD TO TELL IF THAT WAS WHAT TRIGGERED THE PROBLEM OR IF IT WAS SHEER COINCIDENCE ... THIS TIME, THOUGH, I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT, IT WAS FINE. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW... I AM UP-TO-DATE ON MY SERVICING AND THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER SERVICE AT MAZDA (A WEEK IN WHICH I HADN'T REALLY DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE WE WERE ON VACATION WITH OUR OTHER CAR). I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED MAZDA ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT NEXT TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. *TR

Mileage: 23,000

VEHICLE: 2008 MAZDA3 5 DOOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC AFTER IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINS. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CHANGED GEARS WITH NO EFFECT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE NEXT DAY THE POWER STEERING RETURNED WITH FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA, MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ONTO THE EMEGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Mileage: 20,000

2008 MAZDA 3 5 DOOR, APPROXIMATELY 39,000 MILES. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT ~10 MPH. HEARD A CLUNK-LIKE NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REALIZED I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION, CHECKED FLUID AND BELTS. NOTHING LOOKED TO BE WRONG FROM THE OUTSIDE. AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO, RE-STARTED CAR AND POWER STEERING HAD BEEN RESTORED. NO SIMILAR PROBLEM SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

WHILE DRIVING MY '08 MAZDA3 5-DOOR, 2.3L ON THE I80/94 EXPRESSWAY IN STOP AND GO CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC, I LOST POWER STEERING. IDIOT LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR HOME; JUST NO POWER STEERING. PER OWNER'S MANUAL RESTARTED CAR AND PROBLEM WAS GONE. POWER STEERING HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE. HAPPENED WITH ABOUT 36,000 MILES ON CAR. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

1. WHILE THE CAR WAS STOPPED FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING INCLUDING THE AIR CONDITIONER 2. LOSS OF POWER STEERING 3. STOPPED THE CAR AND WAITED FOR A WHILE AND THEN RESTARTED THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

MY CAR IS A MAZDA 3 SEDAN 2008 MODEL UNDER WARRANTY. THE POWER STEERING FAILED 3 TIMES NOW RANDOMLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHTS UP AND THE STEERING FEELS VERY HEAVY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCUR. THE PROBLEM GOES ON AND OFF. MY SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME HE CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE DURING THAT TIME I WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP, THE PROBLEM IS NOT HAPPENING. I TOLD HIM, WHY WAIT FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR BEFORE YOU FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE DEALT SOON. *TR

Mileage: 18,200

FAILED POWER STEERING FOR 2008 MAZDA 3: I HAD NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND NEAR MY MAZDA DEALER WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AT IDLE, BUT ABLE TO STEER AS THE CAR SPEEDS UP--BUT HAD TO PUT MUCH EFFORT INTO IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP FOR PART REPLACEMENT. DESPITE PART REPLACEMENT, I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE STEERING PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CHECK THE STEERING FLUID AND THERE WASN'T A LEAK. I WAS SCARED AS THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF THAT HAPPENED IN THE HIGHWAY OR HIGH SPEED ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 24,700

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ITS ROUTINE 3,000 MILE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS EXHIBITING FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND WOULD BE REPLACED AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS BEING MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.

Mileage: 32,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE REVERSING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,885. UPDATED 7/28/10 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, PUMP AND LINES. UPDATED 08/04/10*JB

Mileage: 12,885

NORMAL FREEWAY DRIVING TO AN OFF RAMP, TO SLOW TRAFFIC TO POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. HIGH EFFORT NECESSARY TO EXIT CAR TO NEARBY RESTAURANT. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN FULLY OPERATIONAL. DROVE CAR TO DEALER, CODE 1099, REPLACED BP4L-32-410 PIPE, BBM4-32-68Z BODY, 4 EA GASKETS 9956-21-400 AND FLUID. *TR

Mileage: 16,200

I DRIVE A MAZDA 3 2008, 5 DOOR WITH POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OFF AS I WAS TURNING FROM A BUSY STREET LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND PARKED. THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WAIT AND RESTART. IF LIGHT STAYED ON CALL DEALER. AFTER 10 MINS THE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I WENT ONLINE MAZDA USERS WEBSITES, JDPOWER, ABOUT AUTOMOBILE, ETC. AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT (BACK TO 2008) TO CURRENT( 5/27/10) PROBLEM. WHEN DOES SUCH A PROBLEM RISE TOT THE LEVEL OF A RECALL? THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION! *TR

Mileage: 20,663

WE BOUGHT OUR MAZDA 3 IN AUGUST OF 2008. WE LIVE IN CT AND MY SON GOES TO COLLEGE IN RI. HE HAS THE CAR WITH HIM. HE HAS COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT HE HAS NO POWER STEERING. JUST RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST ON I-95 WHEN HE WAS EXITING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT SEEMS MAZDA IS AWARE OF IT BUT HAS NOT ORDERED A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 49,385

LOSS OF POWER STEERING: (2 TIMES) -- ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS I HAD LOST THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MAZDA 3. THE FIRST TIME WAS DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009. AFTER THE CAR WAS IDLING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I WENT TO DRIVE OFF AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED THE BELTS. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I THEN STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WAS WORKING LIKE NORMAL. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN APRIL OF 2010. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR A LITTLE WHILE. AFTER THE TRAFFIC CLEARED I WAS GETTING UP TO SPEED AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER. STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE A FEW DAYS LATER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY STEERING INCIDENT. THEY LOOKED AT THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND NOTICED AN 'ISSUE.' THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR A FEW DAYS FOR THE NEW POWER STEERING COMPONENT PART TO COME IN. THEY REPLACED THE PART AND GAVE ME A LOANER VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN EXTREME DIFFICULTY TO STEER OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER. MAZDA IS REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AS THE CAR HAS ONLY 26,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 26,000

2008 MAZDA 3, I WAS SIMPLY PARKED AND RESTARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL WITH "NEW" CARS (LESS THAN 12000 MILES). I WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND THERE IS A "NATIONAL BACKORDER" IN THEIR WORDS. IF THERE IS SO MANY PLACES ORDERING POWER STEERING PUMPS, ID THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

Mileage: 3,024

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR AT EACH BRAKING INTERVAL. WAS READY TO MOVE AGAIN AND HEARD A FUNNY PLASTIC CLICK NOISE FROM THE FRONT. THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE LATCH TO STEERING WHEEL OR HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. WENT TO TURN THE WELL TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS THERE AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO STIFFEN EXTREMELY. AFTER A FEW SECONDS A WARNING LIGHT CAME UP IN THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS OF A STEERING WHEEL AND A EXCLAMATION MARK. WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND ROUGHLY TURN THE WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT MEDIAN OUT OF TRAFFIC. WENT TO GLOVE BOX AND PULLED OUT VEHICLE MANUAL AND LOOKED UP THE WARNING INDICATOR THAT LIT. IT TELLS YOU TO PULL OVER AND PARK SAFELY AND TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF TO SEE IF THE WARNING WILL GO OUT OR STAY ON. I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND GAVE IT A FEW SECONDS AND TURNED IT BACK ON. IT WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE RECENTLY HEARD OF THIS ISSUE AND TO BRING IT IN SOMETIME THIS WEEK IF POSSIBLE. I TOLD THEM I WOULD BRING IT IN THAT MORNING. I TOOK IT TO THEM AND WHEN WAITING TO SIGN PAPERS AND TURN OVER MY KEYS WAS TOLD ANOTHER CUSTOMER IN FRONT OF ME WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REPAIRS ARE AT NO COST TO ME AND THEY OFFERED TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR DURING REPAIRS. ONE DAY TO HAVE REPAIR KIT DONE. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

WE OWN A 2008 MAZDA 3S, PURCHASED IN SUMMER, 2008. IT CURRENTLY HAS 43,000 MILES. RECENTLY, I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I HAD TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CAR WAS FINE, BUT THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE PS FAILED AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, EVEN WITHOUT INSPECTING MY CAR. WE WERE TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ELECTRIC CHARGER, AND ALL LINES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $950. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT MAZDA ISSUED A TSB ABOUT THIS. AS WE LOOKED FURTHER, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THIS CAR, WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AS EARLY AS MAY, 2009. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT THEIR CARS FOR MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE BACK-ORDERED. SOME PEOPLE STATED THAT THEIR DEALER TOLD THEM THERE WAS A BACKUP OF 600 ORDERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AS ACCIDENTS COULD OCCUR EASILY WITH SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER STEERING. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF MAZDA'S LACK OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE, I HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT, IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, YOU WILL FIND NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND PEOPLE WHO WERE PLACED IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

1) STOPPED FOR FUEL. TURNED CAR OFF. EVERYTHING HAD BEEN OPERATING FINE UP TO THIS POINT. 2) TURNED CAR ON AFTER REFUELING. POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. TRIED TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON TWO OR THREE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR OF DRIVING WITHOUT POWER STEERING, STOPPED AGAIN FOR LUNCH. TURNED CAR OFF. 3) AFTER LUNCH, TURNED CAR ON. POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE ONCE AGAIN OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 8/2008. *TR

Mileage: 19,000

POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. VERY HARD TO STEER. MY YOUNG GRAND DAUGHTER ALMOST HAD A CRASH. POWER STEERING CUT OUT THREE TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT TO THE DEALER. (REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR -SEE 10315633 FROM THE SAME COMPLAINANT). *TR

Mileage: 10,500

POWER STEERING WAS CUTTING OUT AT RANDOM TIMES. DEALER HAS REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 21,400

I WAS DRIVING A 2008 MAZDA 3 WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. IT HAD ABOUT 25000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I CROSSED THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH SINCE I WASN'T PREPARED FOR SUCH A HARD TURN. I CONTACTED MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK FOR IT. I WAS GIVEN ANOTHER MAZDA 3 FOR A REPLACEMENT WHILE MINE WAS BEING FIXED. AFTER ROUGHLY TWO WEEKS OF DRIVING IT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I WAS ONCE AGAIN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THEY ONCE AGAIN SENT A TOW TRUCK AND GAVE ME A DIFFERENT CAR FOR A REPLACEMENT. WHILE TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE ISSUE WAS DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING LINES. THESE LINES CORRODE FROM THE INSIDE AND THEN GET INTO THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING IT TO FAIL. IT TOOK THEM SIX WEEKS TO GET MY CAR BACK TO ME. THEY SAID IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING THAT MANY REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MAZDA 3 FAILED THE DAY BEFORE MY BROTHER WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT FOR HIS ROAD TEST. MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT MY DEALERSHIP FOR 4 WEEKS NOW, AND THE NEW ESTIMATE TIME FOR THE PARTS REPLACEMENT IS MID-JULY. ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY HAVE OVER 40 CARS IN THEIR PARKING LOT ALONE WAITING FOR THE SAME PART. AND MAZDA USA HAS YET TO RECALL IT. THEY PROVIDED ME WITH ME LOANER CAR, FREE OF CHARGE, BUT I AM ONLY 20 YEARS OLD SO MY MOTHER HAD TO USE IT AND I HAVE TO USE HER VEHICLE. IT HAS CREATED A BIT OF STRESS SEEING AS SHE DRIVES A FORD EXPEDITION AND THE GAS IS TWICE AS MUCH AS MINE. AND I HAVE JUST RECEIVED MY SECOND MONTHLY BILL IN WHICH I DO NOT EVEN HAVE MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

AFTER IDLING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES IN A PARKING LOT, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WHEEL LOCKED. AFTER COOLING DOWN , WAS ABLE TO STEER AND DRIVE TO DEALER. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER WITH NO ESTIMATED TIME OF SHIPPING. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

POWER STEERING FAILURE, WHEN IDLING OR DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND LOCKS UP DURING OPERATION. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DOING 65MPH WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A THREE CAR PILE UP BECAUSE THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SHORT LUCKILY THE SHOULDER WAS EMPTY AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE LEFT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH. *TR

Mileage: 35,500

2008 MAZDA 3 HAS ELECTRONIC VARIABLE ORFICE IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THE FUSE THAT CONTROLS THIS VALVE BLEW FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MAY 11TH, 2009. IT HAS BLOWN 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES, INCLUDING TODAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. UNLIKE OTHER MANUFACTURERS, WHEN THIS FUSE BLOWS, THE VALVE CLOSES, CUTTING OFF ALL FLOW TO THE RACK, DISABLING THE POWER ASSIST. WHEN THE FUSE BLEW TODAY, I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, TURNING LEFT. I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO TURN SHARP ENOUGH TO AVOID HITTING A CAR WAITING TO GO STRAIGHT. THE VALVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO STAY OPEN WHEN POWER IS REMOVED, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE ASSIST TO BE AT IS GREATEST AMOUNT, NOT LOSING ALL ASSIST BY CLOSING. *TR

Mileage: 58,354

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND HAS REMAINED THERE FOR TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

Mileage: 17,000

DURING PARALLEL PARKING PRACTICE WITH BRAND NEW (LESS THAN 500 MILES ON CAR) MAZDA3 SEDAN (2.3) FOR A DRIVER LICENSE EXAM, ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES, RENDERING STEERING COMPLETELY INOPERABLE (CANNOT EVEN STEER MANUALLY SINCE STEERING RESISTANCE IS EXTREME). NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM. UPON TURNING IGNITION OFF AND THEN IMMEDIATELY RESTARTING CAR, STEERING WOULD RECOVER BUT THEN FAIL AGAIN SEVERAL MINUTES LATER. CAR ALSO DEVELOPED HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLING SOUND, SOURCE UNCLEAR. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED CAR AND CLAIMS STEERING UNIT OK (ALTHOUGH CODE INDICATED POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION) AND IS SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP HYPOTHESIZES THAT ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST UNIT OVERHEATED AND SUGGESTS NOT TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO EXTREMES FOR MORE THAN 5 SECONDS--HOWEVER, THE STEERING FAILED AT TIMES WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT TURNED TO EXTREME (WHEELS STRAIGHT), AND IF THIS IS AN "ACCEPTED" OR "EXPECTED" FINDING IN THESE CARS IT SEEMS THE SAFETY MARGIN FOR SUCH A SYSTEM FAILURE IS VERY LOW. DEALERSHIP CANNOT EXPLAIN HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE OR FAILURE OF DASHBOARD LIGHT TO INDICATE STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 497