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 2008 Mazda Mazda5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
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".
This is what is going on with my car. I almost had an accident because of the power steering assist is suddenly lost by reducing my ability to steer the vehicle. Mazda said there was no recall on my car so they cant help me. 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. Consequence: 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized and the power steering assist fault indicator illuminated. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. While driving various speeds, the power steering assist lost control and all the instrument panel indicators briefly illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-2284518588. The failure mileage was 179,889.
First incident, power steering was lost while making a u-turn. Warning light illuminated. Regained power after half an hour. Second incident, attempted to avoid a swerving car, but steering wheel locked up and could not control vehicle. Ended up spinning out and crashed into another car and the center median.
2008 Mazda5 with 55,000mi (90% highway driven). While driving about 20 MPH in town the steering wheel all of a sudden became very difficult to turn and I noticed the steering failure light on the dashboard. Pulled to a safe location and called my dealership. The mechanic indicated that it was a voltage trip and if I turned off the car and restarted it would reset and work again. The steering did work after I started the engine and I have driven about 200 miles with no other occurrence. On Friday I had my oil changed at the dealership and when I told them of the problem they indicated that I would have to replace my pump and a length of hose. Why the hose too? Its 6,000mi out of warranty. After some internet sleuthing, it seems that this is a very common mechanical failure that Mazda is not dealing with responsibly. …
I own a 2008 Mazda 5 with just over 50,000 miles on it. I travel in sales, so I am put quite a few miles on per year. In the past month I have experienced 3 occasions where upon starting my car, the power steering light comes on and there is no power steering. Each time, I put the car in park and restart and the light goes out and the power steering returns. Heat seems to play an issue in this. Also, the power steering will not reset after restarting the car unless the air conditioning is first shut off. There is a section in the owners manual that addresses what to do if the power steering light comes on and the power steering fails to respond. This would indicate to me that Mazda has seen this occur. As someone who was in the automotive industry for over 30 years, I have no clue why a auto manufacturer would add electronics to a power steering system. …
On 8/24/10 I was driving in sf city traffic as I neared an intersection, my power steering on my 2008 Mazda 5 failed. I pulled over into a red zone, barely out of traffic, and turned off the car. I read the manual and it suggested turning the car on again. I did but the steering light remained on. I moved the car (with difficulty and no small amount of stress) to a safer location. I called Mazda and they came and towed the car to the dealership. They repaired the car in 4 days time. They told us they were "about" to send out recall notices on the Mazda 5. The next day (8/25) I read in the ny times auto section that the Mazda corp. In Japan had known about this power steering failure for 2 years. This seems incredible to me, given that the car is barely 2 years old. Luckily nothing happened but 5 minutes before I had been on the freeway going 55 miles an hour. …
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 Mazda5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Mazda Mazda5, 55% of the model year's 67 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mazda Mazda5 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 2008 Mazda Mazda5 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 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.