Power steering failure on Mazda5 (TSB: 06-002/09)

[Robotazky]

Great, mine is in that range of VIN. Just another BS car-related thing to have to worry about. What are they going to do for all of the people who have the defective system, but it doesn't go out under warranty? I swear if I have to buy one myself when Mazda knows it's junk I will never buy another Mazda. Now, if it was priced at a point that is not total insanity and a slap to the faces of the owners, I wouldn't really care. But at nearly $1000, F*CK MAZDA. Cheapskates! Mazda you need to fix the problems that you create and knowingly sell to people.

A great question that I don't hear anyone asking is: What in the hell is causing such "contamination" of the fluid that the pump has to be replaced? My guess is that the pump is disintegrating. My brand new car that I get to look forward to being stranded on a road trip because of an idiotic problem that the maker knows about. Great. Yeah, I'm pissed off.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

from what i gathered... the pump gets clogged, and goes into safe mode. turning it off for a while and it will reset and be ok.

but yeah, im pretty sure mine falls into this range too... and i wish they would just recall it and have it be done with.

grrr.

 

[mpvue]

Great, mine is in that range of VIN. Just another BS car-related thing to have to worry about. What are they going to do for all of the people who have the defective system, but it doesn't go out under warranty? I swear if I have to buy one myself when Mazda knows it's junk I will never buy another Mazda. Now, if it was priced at a point that is not total insanity and a slap to the faces of the owners, I wouldn't really care. But at nearly $1000, F*CK MAZDA. Cheapskates! Mazda you need to fix the problems that you create and knowingly sell to people.

A great question that I don't hear anyone asking is: What in the hell is causing such "contamination" of the fluid that the pump has to be replaced? My guess is that the pump is disintegrating. My brand new car that I get to look forward to being stranded on a road trip because of an idiotic problem that the maker knows about. Great. Yeah, I'm pissed off.

you need to lay off the caffeine dude, you're too high strung. just because yours in in the range, doesn' mean it's going to fail. I can see being concerned (As I am) but to be pissed off about something that hasn't even happened yet?
update: I've been following this thread and never checked my VIN. it appears I'm NOT affected (my VIN is 359***) but I'll keep it in mind just in case it does extend to later VIN's.

 

[Robotazky]

you need to lay off the caffeine dude, you're too high strung. just because yours in in the range, doesn' mean it's going to fail. I can see being concerned (As I am) but to be pissed off about something that hasn't even happened yet?
update: I've been following this thread and never checked my VIN. it appears I'm NOT affected (my VIN is 359***) but I'll keep it in mind just in case it does extend to later VIN's.

You're hysterical man. Absolutely hilarious, and original at that. Caffeine is a poison to the body and I don't drink it. Thanks for your concern that I'm negligent with my health though. I truly appreciate it.

I run my business with honor and integrity. I can screw people or I can treat them right. If I see even the slightest inconsistency with my agenda to provide the best service possible, I will fix whatever I have to at my cost. You may think aspiring to the highest of standards is "high strung" and unreasonable. I do not. Mazda needs to treat their customers like life-long patrons and recall these stupid power steering pumps. Look at how few of the total number of owners are on this forum and how many here have had to get theirs fixed because they failed. If it's so dangerous to drive when it's failed that the vehicles absolutely cannot be driven, why are they waiting for them to fail? There's not a good excuse. Regardless of what some individuals may think, waiting for your steering to fail before it gets fixed is not how you run a company that must provide a safe product. Again, this is unacceptable. I stand by my verdict and don't care if sheeple agree.

 

[mpvue]

completely understand. I cannot speak for mazda as to why there hasn't been a recall.

 

[Robotazky]

^^ $$$$$$

 

[KBrian]

Missed the number-under by 1000.

Can't say I was worried about the power steering, though. Most of the early s***-boxes I've owned didn't have power steering, and those that did were often on the fritz.

 

[dhenrycpa]

Took my 2008 GT in for the TSB repair today after failing yesterday in 100 degree heat. They apparently can get the parts and finish the work today by the end of the day. I saw a bunch of people that were waiting for long delays in parts getting paid loaners/rentals, has anyone been able to get one for a one day repair?. Normally I would just wait until I could arrange a ride from the dealer to work but with an upcoming trip, I felt that the repair was needed immediately and couldn't wait until I could do so.

Thanks in advance

 

[skiph]

Possible power steering recall on Mazda 3's

I heard on the radio news this morning that the NHTSA is investigating power steering problems on Mazda 3's, with the possibility of a recall in the near future.

I haven't scoured the Mazda 3 forum yet for P/S problems, but a quick Google search turned up a number of them.

So...if this problem continues to occur on our model, as it has for some in the past, we will probably have a stronger leg to stand on getting it fixed, perhaps even on vehicles that are out of warranty.

Might want to keep an eye on the NHTSA site for further info.

 

[skiph]

NHTSA info

OK, found this on the NHTSA web site. I know it's for the 3's, but since our vehicles use a similar system, maybe even the same pump (anybody know this for sure?).

Might be the time for members on here to be filing complaints; it only took 33 to get this going on the 3's:


NHTSA Action Number : PE10021 N/A
N/A NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:

MAZDA / MAZDA3 2007-2009

Manufacturer : MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Component :
STEERING
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSISTOWER STEERING FLUID
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSISTUMP

Date Investigation Opened : June 28, 2010
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI has received 33 complaints alleging steering problems with the subject vehicles. The Mazda3 uses an electrically actuated hydraulic power steering system to reduce the physical effort required of drivers to steer the vehicle. The majority of complaints allege loss of power steering assist while driving, requiring excessive force on the driver's part to maintain control, or in some cases causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Three of the complaints allege that the loss of steering control caused a crash. Additionally Mazda has issued technical service bulletins involving one or more of the subject model year vehicles related to power steering assist problems.

 

[rscottg]

Did anyone have the same problem like I did yesterday??

My ps steering warning light appeared and my steering won't turn!

So I read this thread on Tuesday and was curious if this could happen to my 08 5. I have almost 30,000 miles with no problems in the steering department.

Thursday, about 89degrees out and a bit humid. Had been driving in some stop and go traffic, was in the left lane needing to get into a long line of traffic in the right lane. When I saw my chance, I quickly turned into that traffic line and I suffered the infamous power steering fail. Some noise, the 'steering wheel' light came on and no power steering. Quite the chore to maneuver in heavy traffic to get into a parking lot. Went into a restaurant to eat and hopefully give the Mazda some time to correct itself.

While waiting, I phoned Mazda and the service advisor said there is mention of this in the manual, but if it becomes a problem, bring it in to be checked. I'm thinking this is a problem and it's happening to a lot of people. I can't imagine if I lived in the heat of Texas, Arizona, etc.. ie I live in Canada.

If there is a known problem with a previous supplier of steering parts for Mazda and they've found a better replacement/vendor whatever, I want the improved part. If necassary, I'll just tell them it keeps happening.

Luckily I was driving and not my wife with our toddler in the car. Also, because of the forums, I wasn't so surprised when it happened. If I had not read about the problem, I probably would have been more worried.

So If I lived in a really hot area, I'm guessing this might happen quite often.

Now I'm wondering if a really good, heat resistant synthetic might help with this problem? I already replaced the ATF with Amsoil after having the Mazda factory fill discolor, breakdown, or whatever happened to it.

 

[coolmazda5]

OK, found this on the NHTSA web site. I know it's for the 3's, but since our vehicles use a similar system, maybe even the same pump (anybody know this for sure?).

Here is the actual TSB:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4692826&postcount=34



Is it mostly happening in Canada? (scratch)

Also, another stupid question, who has had the problem and has 5MT?

 

[coolmazda5]

Report: BMW Z4 and Mazda3 face NHTSA scrutiny over power steering failures

Following all the criticism federal regulators received earlier this year for letting Toyota safety defects go unaddressed, everyone is taking a closer look customer complaints. The 2007-9 Mazda3 and the 2003-5 BMW Z4 are both being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following consumer complaints about a loss of power steering assist. Three Mazda crashes and one BMW accident are being blamed on the steering issue.

Although the specific circumstances vary for each of the vehicles, in either case the loss of assist results in significantly increased effort to turn the steering wheel. The Mazda uses an electro-hydraulic assist system and Mazda issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) in 2009 related to this issue. Contamination in the pump can cause it slow down reducing the available assist. A TSB is sent out to dealers to correct an issue if a car comes in for service or a customer complains but fall short of a full recall. The Z4 has an electric power steering system that seems to have issues at higher speeds and temperatures.

[BusinessWeek via Autoblog]

 

[coolmazda5]

^^ It might mean that this is closer to a recall, let's see (it is exactly the same TSB it seems)

 

[jptrsn]

Yesterday the power steering went out on our 08 5. We have about 36 000 km (Canada here), so it should fall under warranty. The service rep seemed to be unsurprised by my call, and explained right away that we would get a loaner car. No time frame yet on how long it'll take, but with the recent heat wave in Montreal, I wouldn't be surprised if it's out of commission for a while.

I'm still under 3 yr/ 60 000 km full warranty, and my VIN falls into the range in the TSB. I'm printing out a copy of the TSB and taking it with me (thanks everyone here!)

I've seen people mention the TSB 06-001/10, but I haven't found any copies of the full bulletin - is it the same as 06-002/09?

I will update everyone when this situation is resolved.

UPDATE: It took only four days for the dealer to get the parts and fix my car. Done under warranty, no questions, the service rep was familiar with the issue. Was given a Nissan Versa as a loaner for no charge - rep said that Mazda pays for it, too.

 

[rscottg]

UPDATE: It took only four days for the dealer to get the parts and fix my car. Done under warranty, no questions, the service rep was familiar with the issue. Was given a Nissan Versa as a loaner for no charge - rep said that Mazda pays for it, too.

My dealership wasn't too concerned. Said it if happens again they'll address it ( I thought that was a poor reaction). I wonder if the computer stores multiple instances of a problem or not. I've had the problem once, so I'm pretty sure that at least instance of the problem has been stored in the computer.

 

[Robotazky]

Dealerships in areas without many 5s will not be concerned because of the obvious. Take into consideration how many 5s your dealer may see for service before you assess their comments. I see 5s constantly all over the city. Therefore, if my dealer said something is not an issue, I may think differently from someone who lives where they never see another 5.

 

[Darklighter]

Our 2008 5 just got diagnosed by the dealer today with the power steering issue. What happened was I was reversing when all of a sudden I couldn't turn the wheel and thought I may have accidentally shut off the car somehow or engine died. Pressed the gas and was still moving then I noticed the power steering light. Shut off the car and restarted. Power steering light still on and no power steering. Turned off the car again, waited 10 secs, restarted and all was fine.

Car has 29000km and falls in the TSB VIN range. The dealer says it will take a few days for parts (new pump and piping) to come in and everything will be covered under warranty.

While I'm glad everything's covered under warranty, hopefully there aren't any more surprises like this. Last one was an oil pan gasket leak. (sad1)

 

[Rockin03mp5]

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/mazda-recalls-215000-cars-for-power-steering-problem/

Mazda is recalling about 215,000 of its 2007-9 Mazda 3 and Mazda 5’s because of a steering problem that could increase the chance of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency says the problem is a loss of power assist which reduces “the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle as typically expected.”

The recall comes about a year after Mazda started fixing vehicles in Japan for the same problem.

In a report to the safety agency filed on Monday, Mazda says it began investigating the problem two years ago. The automaker says by July 2009 it knew the problem was that rust was forming inside the high-pressure pipe on the power steering system, and particles were entering the motorized power steering pump, causing it to shut down to prevent the pump from overheating.

In Japan, “due to a high occurrence rate,” Mazda said, it began that year what amounted to a recall, which it described to N.H.T.S.A. as “an improvement campaign to repair vehicles.”

But because the “occurrence rate was low” in the United States, instead of recalling the vehicles, Mazda decided instead to “continue monitoring” and issue a technical service bulletin to dealers telling them how to fix the problem.

Last June, N.H.T.S.A. became concerned after receiving 33 complaints from owners of the Mazda 3, claiming they had intermittent steering problems. The agency opened a safety investigation.

In Monday’s report to the safety agency Mazda says it finally decided to recall the vehicles but it insisted the loss of power steering posed “no unreasonable safety risk.” Under federal regulations automakers must inform the safety agency within five days of learning of a safety defect or face fines.

In May, N.H.T.S.A. opened an investigation into whether Toyota violated that regulation by conducting a recall in Japan in 2004 but not immediately recalling trucks with the same problem in the United States. That investigation is not yet finished.

In April, Toyota agreed to pay a $16.4 million fine after N.H.T.S.A. accused it of failing to promptly notify regulators about a “dangerous sticky pedal defect.” Toyota denied any wrongdoing and said it was paying the fine to avoid “a protracted dispute and possible litigation.”

Currently the maximum fine for failing to promptly recall vehicles is $15 million adjusted for inflation. But the amount could increase under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010, which is before Congress. One provision would allow a fine up to $300 million for failing to promptly notify the agency of a safety problem. Automakers are fighting the increase.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

So I called my dealership today, and they know about it. They said that Mazda should be sending something out in the mail and that we should see it in about a week. I'll wait a week and if I still don't have anything I will call again and see if they can verify and get it in.