Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have had an ongoing issue with the power steering light coming on in my car. There were times that I have had my car parked overnight, got up the next morning to leave for work, the light was still on from the previous afternoon. The light has come on while I have driven on the highway going 55 MPH for no apparent reason...on a straight-away. The past two days it has gone off and on at least three times, again for no good reason. The very first time I noticed the light was a hot, summer day, but the car had been running with the air on. Thinking something overheated, I shut the car off and had to wait 45 minutes before the light would go off. Now even with weather getting cooler and the light comes on, it goes back off when it feels like it, with no explanation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle started to shake violently without warning. In addition, the rear tire rim was bent. The contact also stated that in another occasion while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle rear shifted to the right, the contact had to shift the gear into fourth gear then back into drive to be able to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the steering handle and the sensor were replaced. The PCM system were also programmed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,211.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Mazda 5. While making a turn at approximately 53 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle rolled over three times and crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion and minor neck, back, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,666.
I had noticed my steering wheel shaking slightly when slowing from highway speeds when my Mazda5 had 13000 miles. I serviced my car at 18000 miles for an out of state trip, at this time my brakes were at .08mm and in good condition. During and after my trip the steering vibration became so extreme when braking at highway speeds that I avoided further driving on the freeway for safety. I returned the car to the dealer service center and they checked my rotors. They informed me that "run out limit" on rotors is .04mm and mine were at .06mm and were so warped that they could not be resurfaced. This part is not under warranty and the service center was unable to make a determination if this was "wear and tear" or a "parts defect". I asked for an explanation as to how my brakes have never been changed and are still in good condition; how it could possibly be "wear and tear"? …
Front sway bar bushings were replaced no less than 3 times by the dealer under warranty. The symptom is a clunking or thumping noise on rough or washboarded roads. The sway bar is .908 inches in diameter and the wall thickness of the bushings is approximately .25 inches. They are rubber from Mazda and apparently, changing them every 20K mi or so are not adequate for the application. Seems that there is a known issue by Mazda for this but one of the busining that was just removed 2/3/18 was torn nearly in half across between the sway bar and the cross member. If these were ignored and the bushings completely fell out of the brackets ther would be enough movement of the sway bar to cause interference in steering the vehicle due to the fully articulated design of the sway bar endlinks. This has the potential to be a deadly issue.
July 29, 2019 vehicle in motion on expressway. Sudden loss off power steering which left me without the ability to turn steering wheel. After approximately 90 secs power steering returned to normal. Exited expressway and checked power steering fluid levels. Fluid levels were correct according to manufacturer recommendation. Continued to operate vehicle but stayed on city streets. Experienced intermittent loss of power steering while navigating through a walmart parking lot. August 27, 2019 started vehicle at my residence. Vehicle is always parked in our garage. Power steering not engaging. Drove to tuffy dealer for inspection. Technician states power steering pump has failed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda 5. While driving 55 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering veered to the left. The failure almost caused a crash. In addition, the entire instrument panel illuminated. The contact had to exert excessive force to turn the steering wheel and pull the vehicle off the road. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the power steering returned to normal and the contact was able to drive home. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000.
The steering wheel started to uncontrollable and wobbling suddenly while driving a freeway at 60mph and ended up causing the center divider crash. The vehicle was purchased one month ago as brand new car. The power steering has been difficult to handle and finally caused this major accident. The car is waiting for inspection from insurance company and the dealer refused to take any responsibility.
Related 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 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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda5 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (37), 2007 (21), 2009 (17), 2006 (10) and 2010 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 55% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda5 steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-374 (electric power assist system, Aug 12, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda5 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electric power assist system (2 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (1).
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.