2008 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 303 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 29 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, windshield wiper/washer, motorJun 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.
THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 11V329000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemAug 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 10V374000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 2, 2009
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Campaign 09E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
117 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
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.
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
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.
Steering, Aug 18, 2010
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.
Steering, Aug 17, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 17, 2010, crash
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.
Steering, Aug 16, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 10, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 10, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 9, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 9, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 5, 2010
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
Steering, Aug 4, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 31, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 28, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 27, 2010
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
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 26, 2010
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.
Steering, Jul 24, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 24, 2010
2008 MAZDA 3I. STEERING COLUMN SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS (60 MPH). *TR
Steering, Jul 23, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 20, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 20, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 17, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 15, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 13, 2010
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, THIRD TIME IN A WEEK THIS HAS OCCURRED. HAS YET TO BE FIXED. *TR