The steering wheel would become very difficult to steer. I would turn it off and on a few times and it would be fine, still shake but I could at least steer. Driving down interstate at 65-70 and the steering wheel locked up. Very scary!! now I am scared to drive it anywhere other than work because it could happen again. Recall!!! this is a safety hazard! unfortunately this is going to go on until somebody is seriously hurt or killed. Recalls are based on cost to repair vs cost of being sued. Right now it costs Mazda more to repair all affected vehicles than it would to pay if they got sued because nobody has died. They are waiting for that. Sick sick sick!

- Iowa City, IA, USA

The electronic power steering unit in mt Tribute is shot! it started going out randomly and would come back on after turning the car off and turning it back on. Over the weekend it went out on us while driving 70mph down the highway! it was a very scary situation that could've went bad. This is a known defect through Mazda and should be recalled! it is the same unit that was in the Mazda 3 and 5; which was recalled. This needs to be done asap!

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while reversing from out a parking space, the power steering failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that the steering column would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. The VIN was not available.

- Bargersville, IN, USA

Stopped for gas. Upon turning vehicle back on there was no power steering. Turned vehicle off then back on, still no power steering. It has never come back, and on most days steering is close to impossible, (steering wheel very tight, will not turn). Driving this vehicle with no power steering is extremely difficult. Must drive daily for work.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- North Plainfield, NJ, USA

Started vehicle at mall, put in reverse and out of nowhere (no warning) we had no power steering. Drove that way for about 5 miles, stopped and turned the car off, restarted and it started working again. Within a couple of days the steering wheel starting shaking when idle or even in park and I again have lost power steering several times. Took it to the repair shop where they told us we would have to go to the dealership for repair of the sensor modular in the electric steering column. This is extremely dangerous as I cannot turn when the power steering suddenly goes out, it is completely unsafe to drive and this needs to be recalled my Mazda before someone get seriously hurt...

- Bargersville, IN, USA

Power steering became very intermittent over the period of three weeks - would work one day sometimes and not the next before quitting completely last week. When it would work it would vibrate and shake as to need two hands on the wheel to drive at all times. Extremely unsafe and very difficult to make a proper right hand turn. I took it to the mechanic today and was informed that it is the steering column torque sensor and the vehicle has a history of this very same problem on the Tributes. Mazda needs to recall this part failure as it is very unsafe and dangerous!!!!!

- Appleton, WI, USA

This week, at a low speed or idle, my steering wheel would shake slightly. Today, I was driving my daughter to school. Upon returning the power steering went out completely...making it extremely difficult to drive. I pulled into an auto zone to check steering fluid and was told that my car has an electric power assisted steering system. When I turned the car back on, it was working fine. I have read several posts that the power steering has gone out while driving. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall. So dangerous!

- Benbrook, TX, USA

The steering started shaking around the 10th of February just when it was in park. Now it is shaking uncontrollably even when we are driving it. The steering has also locked up on me to the point I had no steering at all. The entire steering column has to be replaced to the tune of $1,500 or so. It is extremely unsafe to drive however trying to get it fixed at a reputable place has been a little more challenging.

- North Ridgeville, OH, USA

I have noticed about 2 weeks ago when driving... coming to stop. My wheel shakes and makes this noise. Then my wheel would lock up so I have to cut my car off and take the key out for it to loosen up. Then past couple of days the wheel been locking up while I am driving. I have to cut off and take the key out to unlock the wheel. I see all these complaints but Mazda hasn't had a recall on them yet. It's crazy.....someone needs to get a lawsuit.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

My power steering started going out about a week ago and would start working again after shutting off the vehicle and restarting. Now it is going out while driving the vehicle with no warning and it's almost impossible for me to turn the wheel. The steering wheel is twitching while running and when you shut off the vehicle. When I called the dealer they explained there have been a huge number of complaints about the same thing. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall for this. I really think there should be a class action lawsuit if a recall is not done.

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

Steering wheel vibrated and shook when stopped and slowing down after starting car, steering froze, turned car off and on again, steering was fine steering became harder and harder as I drove- stopped using and took to auto shop no indicator lights came on mechanic found that electric power steering unit had failed- there is no power steering on my car now.

- Stowe, PA, USA

Steering fails. Dealer reports steering torque sensor has failed.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

A couple of months ago my steering wheel began moving on its own trying to get back left - shaking uncontrobally. The pedal began getting very stiff and would not allow me to press on it for gas in order to move. When I cut the car off and cut it back on the issue goes away. Sometimes it takes the car a few times to get going. Meaning I have to cut it off and on several times. The wheel continues to shake although the car is not on. I initially thought it was an electrical problem so I took it to be serviced but everything was ok. Recently (for the last two weeks) the car's steering has gotten worse as if there is no power steering in the car. Which will not allow me to turn the vehicle at all. While it runs I cannot steer making it very dangerous to drive. I took it to the Mazda dealer to get another diagnostic test and was told that the steering column was defected and needed to be replaced. I am in awe that a car so new has this many major mechanical issues. I now have no other option but to get the steering column replaced as I am told this is hte only thing that will fix the steering issue.

- Rahway, NJ, USA

We were on a two-lane highway go approx. 55 mph on our way to a volleyball tournament when without warning the power steering stopped working then the vehicle pulled hard to the left. We pulled over, shut the engine off, and restarted it to see if it would return to normal. Upon restart the steering wheel would shake and vibrate at idle and while moving. Then the power steering would go out again and the pattern would start over.

- Ottumwa, IA, USA

The power steering has failed three times, twice for me and once for my wife. All three incidents occurred when the engine was first started, although I did drive it the first time with very great effort thinking it was a permanent failure and I needed to get it home. After researching this vehicles sister Ford escape I find this is a common problem. It appears in my case this is a switch problem in the ignition. All the cases occurred when the steering was locked hard against the column lock on parking. Turning the engine off and restarting the engine with the lock in a freer position resulted the power steering working. I have on some occasions noted the steering 'twitching' on the road like the power steering did not have a complete connection. The reason that this failure is so concerning is; I have driven vehicles without power steering and when conventional hydraulic power steering failed. Those instances are merely annoying, with the design of the electric power steering the effort needed to steer the vehicle with no power steering is greatly magnified. You now must overcome the extra steering effort plus turn a worm gear driven motor backwards. I am a strong man and it took great effort and was extremely slow at turning the vehicle. Many women and some weaker men would not be able to steer the vehicle in a failure and if an on the road failure may not get the vehicle safely off the road. I will continue to monitor my vehicle to trace the cause of the failure, Ford cure of replacing the steering column may be overkill.

- Polk City, IA, USA

Went to get ice cream shut off the vehicle and when the vehicle was restarted the power steering was not working I checked the fuses they were all fine drove home without powersteering the next day the vehicle was started the steering is now working but the steering wheel rattles right to left unless your turning and continues to rattle when the vehicle is turned off. The steering operation is intermittent when starting the vehicle, when it doesn't work you have to start it and turn the steering wheel to the right then it will work. The steering wheel also wanders when driving similar to a worn out tie rod but only when the steering is working. Mileage is 52354.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel shook violently and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated there was a failure with the charging unit and replaced the battery. After the battery was replaced, the failure continued. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Windsor, NJ, USA

On several occasions now my steering has gradually been displaying stiff steering. It has progressed and was unsure why it was doing this being that it has not given me any problems but the steering. I have been driving and it has gotten stiff. I will turn off the car and restart and it will drive normal and then eventually will stiffen up on me again and again. This is very scary being that I have also been on the freeway and exiting and have to grab ahold of the steering to veer off the freeway carefully. It is stressful to be in a car that is unsafe while on the road. God forbid I have to swerve away from danger and I can't because I'm in a dangerous vehicle. I am still paying on my car and don't care for a disposable car while still making payments. I contacted Mazda in victorville, ca and stated that it would cost me (you ready) $ $2,000 plus another few hundred to program my keys. Absurd!!! my husband made contact with someone who gave him a price of $1500 and a local ecology center priced at $300-400. Now that's on a part I risk purchasing and then the same thing happening again!! this local junk yard stated that this is a very typical problem they have had with Mazda's coming in. I called Mazda to find out if there was a recall on this problem. Not!! it is a safety problem and a recall problem! I'm still paying on my car!! this is a financial hardship. Please do something.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the failure and stated that the steering column need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,100.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA