Mazda3 and Mazda5 Recalled
Aug 16, 2010
2010 will likely go down as the year of the automotive recall. Now Mazda is getting in on the action.
"Mazda Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years," writes Automotive News, "because of faulty power-assist steering pumps and pipes."
The problems with the steering pumps and pipes haven't been unknown to Mazda. Left Lane News reports, "More than a year ago Mazda began an effort to repair potentially faulty power steering pumps and pipes for over 200,000 Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles in the U.S., but with fewer vehicles being repaired than hoped, the Japanese automaker has decided to move forward with a full recall."
Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aware of the recall, it is not yet in the NHTSA recall database.
"The recall comes after NHTSA opened an investigation in June into power steering failures in the Mazda3 from the 2007-2009 model years. NHTSA received 33 complaints of power-assist steering failures in Mazda3 vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years, and loss of steering control was reported as the cause of three crashes, according to NHTSA investigation documents," reports Automotive News.
Mazda says, "Should an issue occur with the power steering assist, the Power Steering Malfunction warning light will illuminate and the car will require more physical effort to steer, but at no time is the vehicle undrivable." The company has also released a video that shows what may happen when a vehicle loses power steering.
The problem appears to be related to rust forming on the power steering pump. Mazda says the rust was introduced during the manufacturing process.
If you have questions about the recall, you can call Mazda at 1-800-222-5500, or the NHTSA recall hotline at 888-327-4236.
LINK:
Linear Mode
