general problems of the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 - part 1

The power steering on my 2008 Mazda 3 went out. I took it to a mechanic shop who diagnosed the power steering pump is creating pressure that is getting to the rack and pinion and the fluid is just bouncing off of the rack and pinion and the computer system does not know how to function, so the power steering is not working.

Power steering goes in and out while driving.

Tl the contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. While driving 5 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10v374000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

While driving the speed goes up and down on its own the automatic transmission of my 2008 Mazda 3 shifts down from the 5th to the 3rd gear. This causes the car to jerk violently and the controls to illuminate including check engine, no traction and at. My mechanic could not find a cause of this, and he serviced the transmission by changing the filter and transmission fluid but the problem persists. One mechanic said it is the speed sensor another the transmissions computer I have spend about 1,800 and I still have the same problems. It is very scary for my kids and myself while driving and I can't afford to get another car. What is the problems with Mazda with my car? can someone please help?! also all the electrical stop working about two years ago, another thing is the steering wheels problems when making a turn it really time forever and it is really slow and heavy.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start. After a few attempts, the vehicle started, but there was no power steering. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence very slowly. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2010 by star Mazda in glendale, California for the same failure per an unknown recall issued by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired this time and the dealer was not contacted again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Lost all power while driving and turning. Abs, brake , ps , battery lights on dash illuminated, car looses steering and then the engine dies. Battery discharged as per load test. Alternator tests fine. Happened two times after the power steering manufacturer recall was performed to remedy the same issue.

Aeveral recalls for 2008 Mazda3. . . . . However my VIN isnt assosiated with any and I have all the problema. Power steerings unit stripped2 or the 3 bolts holes ans fell down from cracked engine mounts slight rattling. . . . . Stationary and moving. Idle is at 500-1,000 rpms very odd feeling. Random body damage and entire of bottom engine rusty. . . . Paint rusts as well. Just bought the car on finance and really need some help.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda 3. While driving various speeds, the steering seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10v374000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to sputter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor was seized into the catalytic converter and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the steering had excessive movement, while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,352.

Steering wheel locked up on the highway as I was curving to the right. Caused my car to veer off the road and ran along a rail until the I braked the car. I could not turn the steering wheel and that caused the accident. Last year I had the Mazda serviced which they had fixed the recall supposedly. But this is the second time that this happened. I may not be lucky the next time.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle started to veer to the right causing the contact to crash into a fence and the mile marker. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. Djr.

Tl * the contact owns a 2008 Mazda3. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel suddenly seized. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle spun and crashed into a guard rail. The contact was transported to the emergency room by ambulance and was treated for bruising, whiplash, acute neck, back, shoulder, and leg traumas. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 10v374000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

In the past month the radio, lights, the cluster, all shut down and restart as driving. Last night as driving on telegraph rd, 45 mph, the power steering suddenly stopped working, I could not control the car, and another vehicle behind me almost hit me, as I was switching in neutral, and back in drive. All of the sudden regain control and was able to turn right into a parking lot. I remember having this issue back in Jan. Of 2011, and there was a recall for it, that I have had fixed. The pattern is that I bought the vehicle in 2008, 3 years later - in 2011 the recall took care of the defective part, and now, 3 years after the replacement the same issue arise. This is very dangerous, can cause accidents, as is happens as driving unexpectedly.

At approximately 55 miles an hour the in-tire pressure monitoring system's rim attaching nut corroded off of the valve stem on the tire. Tire pressure dropped immediately and had to stop and pull off the road. The valve stem fell into the tire once pulled over and inspected. All 4 tires all corroded evenly and need to have the stems and nuts replaced. I've opted for a rubber valve stem whilst submitting complaints. I still have not had the 3 other tires fixed. Replacement non-aluminum tpms are 35-50 a piece + installation. 1. Cheap nuts that crack and fall off tire stems. 2. Aluminum stems that corrode completely removing the threads. 3. High speed crash hazard.

Sudden loss of power steering while traveling at moderate speed. Upon sudden loss of power steering the car pulled heavily to the right causing me to nearly hit a large tree on this very narrow road.

I started the car, put it in reverse and began backing out. As the car began to move the steering felt sluggish like the power steering was not working. The condition lasted a few seconds then cleared up. That happened twice more as I was backing out. Whenever the steering became sluggish some of the warning lights turned on (low tire, abs, brake, oil, etc). They turned off whenever the steering returned to normal. The condition seemed to clear itself so I put the car in drive and went a few hundred feet. The sluggish steering and flashing warning lights began again. I stopped the car, left the engine running and checked the tires, power steering belt, and power steering fluid level. All were ok. At this point I shut off the engine and removed the key. The speedometer and tachometer needles oscillated wildly from end to end for several seconds. The warning lights were also on. After waiting for the instrumentation to settle to the normal off state, I inserted the key and attempted to start the vehicle. There was no electrical power whatever, like the battery had been removed. I removed the key waited 15 seconds and attempted to start the engine again. That time the car started as expected. I drove the car slowly for a few minutes and there was no recurrence of the problem. The car has been driven several hundred miles since then with no recurrence of the steering issue or flashing warning lights.

Vehicle was traveling in left lane on interstate and suddenly turned into concrete divider.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact experienced a loss of electronic power steering assist and as a result, crashed into a curb. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostics where the technicians advised the contact of NHTSA campaign id number: 10v374000 (steering:electric power assist system), which the vehicle was included. The technician agreed to repair the vehicle under the recall but would not cover the repairs for the damage to the wheel due to the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

I was advised of a recall for a potential power steering (#6010h) in September of 2010. Unless you already had the symptoms, they advised to do nothing until a second notice was sent, as parts were in short supply. It would seem 4+ months would be more than adequate time to secure the parts. I drive on windy 2 lane mountainous roads every workday; failure of power steering assist on these roads could be deadly. Why is it taking Mazda so long to correct this problem?.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the steering wheel became abnormally stiff causing the contact limited ability to steer the vehicle. The contact was unable to maneuver the vehicle and was involved in a crash. A police report was available. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and was not diagnosed for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages was 33,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact was driving approximately 32 mph when she attempted to avoid an animal. The contact steered to the left but the vehicle instead violently veered to the left causing her to crash into an embankment. The vehicle proceeded to roll over once crashing and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained head injuries as a result. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 10v374000 (steering:electric power assist system). The contact was told by the dealer that the parts necessary to complete the remedy were on short supply. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the parts had been on short supply for approximately five months, prevented the vehicle from being repaired. The failure and current mileage was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received a recall notice associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10v374000 (steering:electric power assist system). An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that they were waiting on the necessary parts to arrive before performing the repair. Approximately one year later, the contact was still being informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

My daughter was about to pull out from a parking space in a shopping center when she noticed the steering wheel would not turn for her. I looked at the dash and a light with a steering-wheel and explanation point was showing. I told her to put the car in park, shut it off and then start it up again. She did and the warning light was still was there and no power-steering. She tried this a couple of times. It was then I called my husband and explained the situation. He called the dealer who told us to bring it right in. After a couple of minutes with it off and switching places, I started it and it was still not working. I had to drive it several miles with no power to the steering-wheel. Wow! talk about taking a step back in time. My daughter could see me struggle to turn the steering-wheel. When I pulled in the driveway the power came back on out of the blue! this is a vehicle I now no longer trust for safety especially at high speeds.

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.

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.

Left my car running in drive, when I came back out 10 minutes later the power steering did not work.

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. Updated 11/1610.

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.

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.

I own a 2008, Mazda 3. It has about 34,000 miles. I was in rush hour traffic on route 75 just outside of cincinnati when all of the sudden my power steering went out. I could barely turn the steering wheel and four lanes of traffic were directed off an exit because of an accident closing the highway. . This was extremely difficult with no power steering. I got off the highway and turned off my car, preparing to call a tow truck. When I started the car again the steering worked. I don't understand and am not sure what to do. I commute an hour to work everyday. I am afraid to drive my car.

The power steering went out on our Mazda 3 while driving down a busy road. It happened unexpectedly and severely enough that my husband had difficulty controlling the car and had to pull over. All fluids were full and we have regular maintenance done on the car. Called our Mazda service department and they tried to charge us but said we barely slipped in under the warranty timeline so the part was covered. Now we find out there is a potential recall looming for this issue. This could have been a disastrous situation and Mazda's handling of it was sub-par to say the least. They gave us a loaner and are fixing the car at no charge but their position when we had the car towed to them was that we should be paying for the repair. They took no ownership of the problem at first and never bothered to mention this was a persistent problem they were seeing, especially in the '08 Mazda 3.

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.

Hot day, vehicle was running for 20-30 minutes without moving. Power steering stopped working. Was advised to turn it off then on for ten minutes, worked fine.

We were driving the car in the usual manner when the power steering went out making the car very difficult to steer. This only happened once but was very scary and potentially dangerous. The car returned to normal once it was shut off and then re-started sometime later.