Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Mazda Mazda3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When driving and trying to negotiate a turn, or sometimes when going straight, the power assist steering simply fails (stops assisting the steering). I have to "muscle" the car off the roadway and either restart the engine or stop the car (off the road) straighten the steering wheel, restart the car, and the power assist is restored. This has happened five times in the last 9 months. So far there have been no accidents. The date velow is the most recent date of this failure.
This seems to happen as I'm slowing down, as you would to make a turn onto a street or driveway. I turn on my blinker, then the moment I press the brake, all of the power in the car dies, and comes right back on. I think of it as a quick reset it seems. However, when this happens, the power steering does not work, and I'm left finishing my turn without power steering. The power steering is the only thing that does not "reset" when the power fails. The power steering May take 3-6 seconds before it comes back. And it always comes back on, but not until after I'm through my turn. It typically seems to happen when my blinker, and brake is applied, almost like the power of those lights shuts everything off. But this all happens at random. I have a part time job on the wknds delivering food. It started out just maybe happening once a month, and that was 3-4 months ago. …
While driver was backing car out of a parking space, the right front control arm that holds the right front wheel and axle broke in two, totally disabling the car. According to law enforcement personnel, had this occurred on the road, the following scenario would have taken place: the right front wheel slammed to the ground, the left control arm would have over-compensated and caused vehicle to swerve suddenly into the left lane, going into a skid and then flipping end-over-end through traffic, killing the driver and occupants of this car and causing a multi-car pile-up. Upon examination of the broken control arm, it was determined that this part, factory original, was made of welded metal, an inherently dangerous concept, since welded metal is weaker than a solid piece of steel. Obviously, Mazda cares more about cost-cutting than the safety of its customers. …
While driving on the highway I heard a loud clatter like a rock in the wheel well and the saw something bounce out from the side of my car. Moments later the car began to shake and veer to the left. I was able to move over and pull of to the side of the highway to find that my valve stem on my wheel had lost the nut holding it in place so that the valve fell into the tire leaving a large hole. After having the tire replaced (it was destroyed) I saw that the valve (which was part of the TPMS) was corroded and could be easily snapped in half. Another of these valves had failed four months prior so I think this is a common problem. Mazda refuses to believe there is anything wrong with their part and suggests that I continue to drive with the remaining sensors.
While driving on a public road (40 MPH) March 2020, my daughter's 2009 Mazda 3 lost power steering, and the power steering light went on her dashboard. She pulled off the road and called us for help. When the car was turned on and off the power steering returned. Three weeks later the same problem occurred. I have read numerous cases on many websites where this is occurring. This specific VIN number is not included in the power steering pump recall we found online, but it is acting like it has the exact problem . This is a huge concern because the problem happens randomly while driving! I have read online many more drivers who had this exact problem, and their car was excluded from the recall as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda, Mazda3. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway, proceeded into the left lane and the vehicle unexpectedly swayed from the left to right direction without engaging the steering wheel. In addition, the engine exhibited a loud roaring noise. The contact was able to gain steering control and continued. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the two front wheel ball bearings were replaced. The noise stopped after the repair was performed on the vehicle. The contact drove at low speeds to avoid the unintended swaying movement of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 33,681.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Mazda3. While driving 5 MPH the contact noticed that the power steering had suddenly stop functioning causing the contact to crash into a nearby pole, seconds later, the contact noticed that the power steering warning light had appeared on the dashboard. No one was injured and a police report was not filed for the incident. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the vehicle was performing normally. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages was 22500.
Power steering assist is suddenly lost reducing the driver's ability to steer the vehicle as typically expected, and increasing the risk of a crash, while driving in the streets or in the highway, it happened today and during the last week a few times
While driving vehicle navigating a slight right turn at approximately 10 to 15 MPH power steering failed and dash light came on. Was unable to turn vehicle in time and hit a curb, causing damage to vehicle rim and tire.
I was driving my 2009 Mazda3 as normal. I went to turn at a light and my power steering failed. I was able to barely compensate but almost hit a car because the steering didn't react as I expected. I pulled over and turned the car off and back on and it was reset. I called the dealer and was told this was a known problem in cracks in the tubing allowing moisture into the system that shorts out the pump and causes the failure. They told me my car was very unsafe to drive and that it would happen again if not corrected. They replaced the tubes and the pump at no cost to me but I want to know why this isn't a recall or at least been reported as a possibility to owners. This is highly unsafe and if it happened at the wrong time such as on an expressway could have LED to a severe crash. I think a recall should be considered.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008. These vehicles May have a condition in which a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur at any time while driving the vehicle.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump and lines free of charge. The safety recall began on September 15, 2010. Owners May contact Mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS).The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through…
Steering complaints in other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Mazda Mazda3, 30% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Mazda Mazda3 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-374 (electric power assist system, Aug 12, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Mazda Mazda3 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.