Power Steering Pump problems of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!.

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.

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. Updated 12/07/10.

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.

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.

Power steering was cutting out at random times. Dealer has replaced power steering pump motor.