Mazda is recalling some 215,000 Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 vehicles built during the years 2007-2009. The recall is due to a loss of power steering while the vehicle is driven, increasing the likelihood of an automobile accident. According to a report Mazda submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.), Mazda has been researching the problem for the past two years.
In July 2009, Mazda discovered the problem was a result of rust forming inside a pressure pipe in the power steering system. The rust particles began to enter the motorized power steering pump causing it to shut down.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims they have received 33 complaints regarding steering problems in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Mazda vehicles.
Because of the high occurrence rate, Mazda issued a recall in Japan almost a full year prior to the recall in the United States. But because of the low occurrence rate in the U.S., Mazda decided to issue a technical service bulletin to dealers telling them how to fix the problem instead of recalling all U.S. models. The N.H.T.S.A became involved last June after hearing numerous consumer complaints regarding the power steering and consequently opened a safety investigation.
Mazda claims the loss of power steering poses "no unreasonable safety risk."
