NHTSA — Steering Problems

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,893 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Jan 172022

MAZDA5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation even more dangerous. The Mazda 5 is available for inspection upon request. My daughters life was put at risk when the steering fails intermittently potentially causing damage to the car, other vehicles, and injury or death of pedestrians. The car has not been repaired or inspected at this point. There is no warning before the power steering fails. The power steering indicator light is illuminated and occasionally also the check engine light when the power steering failure causes the engine to stall as well. The first occurrence of the issue was January 17, 2022, while my daughter was driving the vehicle. The vehicle recall history shows the power steering had been repaired previously for the same issue.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #34

Jul 082019

MAZDA5

  • 179,889 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. while driving various speeds, the power steering assist lost control and all the instrument panel indicators briefly illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-2284518588. The failure mileage was 179,889.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #33

Jun 192018

MAZDA5

  • 162,000 miles
I bought 4 kumho tires sized 205 50R17 for this car in September of 2015. In August of 2017, at about 25000 miles on the tires, one of them developed what we later learned was a belt separation. The symptoms were a severe vibration, and severe pull. We replaced two of the tires. 10 months later the car developed exactly the same symptoms, and it was discovered that another of the tires had a belt separation. I replaced all 4 tires with another brand. I called kumho to report the issue, as they clearly had a bad run of tires for me to have to out of one set. The person answering the phone (warranty department) insisted that 'belt separations are common', that the recent recall was a "voluntary recall because the engineers just wanted to see the tires'. I asked to speak to someone in their safety or engineering departments. She said "we don't have anyone like that".

- Hilliard, FL, USA

problem #32

Apr 202018

MAZDA5

  • 141,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. while driving various speeds, the power steering seized and the power steering assist fault indicator illuminated. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #31

May 012017

MAZDA5

  • miles
Steering warning light comes on steering gets heavy

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #30

Jan 132015

MAZDA5 4-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
This is what is going on with my car. I almost had an accident because of the power steering assist is suddenly lost by reducing my ability to steer the vehicle. Mazda said there was no recall on my car so they cant help me. 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: 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.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #29

Jan 152012

MAZDA5

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that all four tires were wearing excessively due to the factory specifications of the alignment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and could not provide any assistance to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Wateroford, OH, USA

problem #28

Mar 082011

MAZDA5

  • 67,000 miles
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.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 242010

MAZDA5

  • 17,789 miles
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?

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #26

Jul 142010

MAZDA5

  • 22,999 miles
Loss of power steering two times on my Mazda 5.

- Melrose, MA, USA

problem #25

Aug 152010

MAZDA5

  • 26,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #24

Jul 282010

MAZDA5

  • 47,180 miles
Power steering failed three times yesterday. Dash light came on and steering got very heavy although I was able to muscle the car through turns. Day was very hot and we were driving in an urban environment. I did what the owners' manual said - stopped and shut off the car, waited a few seconds and restarted the car. In two out of the three instances the power steering light had gone out and the power steering was working. In the other instance the light did not go out and the power assist was not working. The car is working okay now and I am not sure if or when this might occur again. Because of the driving situation at the time and because I am an experienced driver this did not present a grave safety issue; however, had I been driving faster and the road conditions been poor it could have been catastrophic.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #23

Jul 032010

MAZDA5

  • miles
Mazda 3 and 5 power steering failure. This is currently covered by Mazda tsb: 06-002/09 I think Mazda should issue a recall for the affected parts. Loss of power steering can be very dangerous for people with limited physical strength.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #22

Mar 262010

MAZDA5

  • 51,615 miles
While I was driving my 2008 Mazda 5 in late March 2010, the power steering stopped working. The problem persisted until we got it fixed. The mechanic gave the following diagnostic, 'C1099 power steering circuit fault hydroelectric power steering pump intermittently shuts down. Mazda tsb references this issue. Recommend perform tsb per Mazda and reevaluate.' The repair cost around $1,000.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #21

Jun 282008

MAZDA5

  • 49,000 miles
2008 Mazda5 powersteering pump shuts down when hot, Mazda knows about the problem and refuses to recall. Dangerous for small or week drivers. Has occurred 2 times on me in after sitting in traffic. Internet search reveals lots of complaints.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #20

Jun 282010

MAZDA5

  • 41,000 miles
Power steering failure at low speed, power steering light comes on. After restart functioned normally.

- Weaver, AL, USA

problem #19

Jun 182010

MAZDA5

  • 57,000 miles
The engine on my Mazda5 was running at idle speed for approximately 10-15 minutes on a warm day. In pulling out of the parking lot, the power steering failed completely and the warning light came on. In researching with other owners, I realized that this is a pervasive problem.

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #18

May 072010

MAZDA5

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. the contact stated that on May 7, 2010, the power steering failed and she had to use the manual steering power. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the dealership and was told that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. The current mileage was approximately 41,000.

- Huntington Station, NY, USA

problem #17

May 282010

MAZDA5

  • 4,000 miles
2008 Mazda5 - 40K miles after idling in parking lot for approx 20 mins, put car in drive and attempted to leave. Power steering light illuminated, wife could not turn wheel at all. Turned off car. I arrived 10 mins later and was able to operate the steering with difficulty.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #16

Feb 182009

MAZDA5

  • 19,718 miles
Power steering failure. Normal mixed driving, highway & city stop & go, while waiting in a drive thru for coffee, steering wheel became almost immovable, would still turn to normal limits both right & left, however the effort required was very high. Returned car to dealer under warranty noticing that steering effort remained constant throughout the drive. Effort required was not dependent on speed, or direction.

- Loveland, OH, USA

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