Most common 2008 Mazda Mazda5 problems
Share of the 67 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazda5 complaints by model year
Best Mazda5 years: 2015, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2008 Mazda Mazda5 recalls (1)
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Mazda Mazda5:
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…
What 2008 Mazda Mazda5 owners say
Steering all 37 →
Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation even more dangerous. The Mazda 5 is available for inspection upon request. My daughters life was put at risk when the steering fails intermittently potentially causing damage to the car, other vehicles, and injury or death of pedestrians. The car has not been repaired or inspected at this point. There is no warning before the power steering fails. The power steering indicator light is illuminated and occasionally also the check engine light when the power steering failure causes the engine to stall as well. The first occurrence of the issue was January 17, 2022, while my daughter was driving the vehicle. …
Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation Also vibration in the steering wheel, and when I mean, the steering logs all the way up it locks all the way up, likes flicker and go out, but then it goes away after a few moments
Wheels & tires
We bought 4 of these tires 1/23/2018. The first failed within 3 months (passenger rear). The tire distributor no longer carried them, so we fit the next best ... a different Primewell. Now, the driver side front tire has developed a bulge where the tread and sidewall meet - similar to the first failure. We cannot drive it and - still - the distributor no longer carries THAT tire. We have - as of 9/1/2021 driven the car a TOTAL of less than 14,000 miles since the purchase. The 50K warranty was ignored in the first failure; and we have been told that it is irrelevant in this second one. The size is 205/50R17 for both - all four. Both tires were continuously losing air and had to start carrying a portable air pump. Just noticed this weekend that the driver side tire was ONCE AGAIN low on air. When I went to fill it, noticed the bulge. Do not know hoe long ot has been there ... …
I bought 4 kumho tires sized 205 50r17 for this car in September of 2015. In August of 2017, at about 25000 miles on the tires, one of them developed what we later learned was a belt separation. The symptoms were a severe vibration, and severe pull. We replaced two of the tires. 10 months later the car developed exactly the same symptoms, and it was discovered that another of the tires had a belt separation. I replaced all 4 tires with another brand. I called kumho to report the issue, as they clearly had a bad run of tires for me to have to out of one set. The person answering the phone (warranty department) insisted that 'belt separations are common', that the recent recall was a "voluntary recall because the engineers just wanted to see the tires'. I asked to speak to someone in their safety or engineering departments. She said "we don't have anyone like that".
Suspension
I bought 4 kumho tires sized 205 50r17 for this car in September of 2015. In August of 2017, at about 25000 miles on the tires, one of them developed what we later learned was a belt separation. The symptoms were a severe vibration, and severe pull. We replaced two of the tires. 10 months later the car developed exactly the same symptoms, and it was discovered that another of the tires had a belt separation. I replaced all 4 tires with another brand. I called kumho to report the issue, as they clearly had a bad run of tires for me to have to out of one set. The person answering the phone (warranty department) insisted that 'belt separations are common', that the recent recall was a "voluntary recall because the engineers just wanted to see the tires'. I asked to speak to someone in their safety or engineering departments. She said "we don't have anyone like that".
Going down the road and all of a sudden it sounds like a rock banging in the rear driver side wheel well. It turns out to be a broken shock mount. This is the second one that has broken. One broke at ~80,000 miles and now this at ~120000. Search the internet and it is a known problem.
2008 Mazda Mazda5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda5 a good car?
Based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mazda5 rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Mazda5 at the same age. It is one of the Mazda5 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
The steering — 37 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year, most often about hydraulic power assist › pump. Next are the wheels & tires (10) and suspension (9).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazda5 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Mazda Mazda5, the most recent from August 12, 2010 (electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazda5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2008. See the full Mazda Mazda5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Mazda5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 39,000 miles; 65% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.