Power Steering Failure 2007-2009 (Recall Issued by Mazda Canada)

[Anrky]

I was idling for about 2 minutes, odd grinding noise came from the engine and the check engine came on. When i went to pull away, no power steering, no fluid leak either. I took it right away to Direct Mazda in Mississauga, and they had me patched up in a couple of hours.

Apparently it's a known issue of sorts, they knew exactly what went wrong and had the kit to repair it.

My first real problem with the car and i've only had it for 1 year now, with 39,000 kms and change on it.

[Thrizzl3]

I was idling for about 2 minutes, odd grinding noise came from the engine and the check engine came on. When i went to pull away, no power steering, no fluid leak either. I took it right away to Direct Mazda in Mississauga, and they had me patched up in a couple of hours.

Apparently it's a known issue of sorts, they knew exactly what went wrong and had the kit to repair it.

My first real problem with the car and i've only had it for 1 year now, with 39,000 kms and change on it.

welcome back to tm3 dax lol...theres a TSB on this issue..a few members were affected by it.

[Greg_di]

yeah I just had it twice in the past 2 days. have an 2008 3, about 40k on it and no power steering light has came on, gonna take it to MOT this week and get it sorted out. This car is hard as hell to drive without power steering lol

[philipfreire]

My 09 has yet to be affected by any issues. *Knocks on wood* Gotta love warranty tho!

[CM3]

I was a Pacific Mall yesterday and my Power Steering failed too! Talk about panic as I was stuck in one of the busiest parking lots in the world LOL especially on a holiday, my car only has 35,000km on it =S

[Greg_di]

I was a Pacific Mall yesterday and my Power Steering failed too! Talk about panic as I was stuck in one of the busiest parking lots in the world LOL especially on a holiday, my car only has 35,000km on it =S

called MOT yesterdat and they said there is no TSB on it?! Gonna bring it in Thursday and see what they say though

[CM3]

thats odd because this seems to be pretty common, a co-worker with an 08 sedan had the exact same problem. Last month, he was pulling out of a plaza and all the sudden the power steering failed. He had to get it towed in.

[xxSlidewaysxx]

TSB>>>>>>>>

TSB: 06-002/09


2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND 2007-2009 MAZDA5 - HEAVY STEERING EFFORT WITH POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DTC C1099

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2007-2009 Mazda3 vehicles (NOT including Mazdaspeed3) with VINs below (produced between April 1, 2007 and November 4, 2008)
2007-2008 JM1BK****** 742201 - 880507
2008-2009 JM1BK****** 100002 - 251982
2007-2009 Mazda5 vehicles with VINS JM1CR***** 155672 - 349055 (produced between produced between April 1, 2007 and November 4, 2008)
DESCRIPTION

Some customers may feel that the steering effort is hard or heavy with power steering malfunction indicator lamp illumination and DTC C1099 [ELECTRO HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EHPAS)] stored in memory. This problem is caused by contamination of the system from such things as corrosion getting inside the power steering line, sticking in the power steering pump, and lowering the revolution speed. The system then goes into a fail safe function.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
REPAIR PROCEDURE OUTLINE

1. Verify customer concern.
2. Clean the steering gear box by flushing all fluid lines with 10 quarts of fluid.
3. Remove the electric power steering oil pump assembly (A) and pipe assembly (B).
4. Replace the power steering oil pump unit (shaded part of A) on the pump assembly with oil pump kit.
5. Install the repaired power steering oil pump assembly and new pipe assembly.
6. Fill the pump reservoir with ATF MIII and remove air from the line.

Oakville Mazda fixed mine with no issues, 6 hours and done......if you can take it there..

[Brammer]

I have experienced this a couple of times with my M5 (2009 with 22k). It seems strange that corrosion would be a problem at such an early age, unless air is getting in somehow? Then again, there are no leaks evident on the driveway.

The problem seems to be electrical. Turning off the ignition and restarting the vehicle usually fixes the problem, maybe that resets a breaker.

Checked with a dealer yesterday and they are 7 to 10 days back-ordered for the parts

B

[plontoc]

My gf just had this happen to her 2009 last Thursday. Dropped it off overnight at MOT on Monday and they replaced the power steering pump. They did note on the work order that the line(s) had to be replaced as they are on back order.

My question is if "this problem is caused by contamination of the system from such things as corrosion getting inside the power steering line, sticking in the power steering pump, and lowering the revolution speed", why would they change the pump before the line?

Is it possible for the pump to fail with the old line depositing crap into the new pump?

Thoughts?

[Silv3r]

Happened to me a few days ago. Scary sensation especially as it took me by surprise turning left on an advance green through a busy intersection. Wheel locked up, jumped out my hands and I was heading straight towards the sidewalk. Managed to regain control somewhat and pull over. Then continued driving for a bit until I could find a place to pull over and restart the vehicle. Light was still illuminated after 3 restarts but went off on the 4th and I was able to drive normal. Hoping to have dealer inspect and book me in for repairs next few days as this is definitely a safety concern and should have been a recall from the get go.

[Brammer]

Happened to me a few days ago. Scary sensation especially as it took me by surprise turning left on an advance green through a busy intersection. Wheel locked up, jumped out my hands and I was heading straight towards the sidewalk. Managed to regain control somewhat and pull over. Then continued driving for a bit until I could find a place to pull over and restart the vehicle. Light was still illuminated after 3 restarts but went off on the 4th and I was able to drive normal. Hoping to have dealer inspect and book me in for repairs next few days as this is definitely a safety concern and should have been a recall from the get go.

I agree, IMO Mazda should be conducting a recall rather than face the huge negative publicity that would come from a Toyota accelerator type problem. Mazda has a pretty good quality rep. - I would hate to see it tarnished.

I'm not a tiny guy and it takes a good effort to crank that wheel with the PS off. I've owned cars without PS and this is much worse.

I hate to think what would happen if he PS failed on a frail person in the middle of a turn or while trying to evade an obstacle. It can even surprise a person of normal strength, as you don't realize the PS is off until you try to make a turn or lane change.

[gummi]

Wow
It figures...just happened to me today same as mentioned above "power steering failure"
35 degree in drive thru
before it happened... wife was complaining of her feet "floor/wall" being hot
has this been an issue for anyone else?

Thanks,
Gummi

BTW great site guys....thanks

[gummi]

2008.5 mazda 3GT 31,000km

[shaqkur]

Happened to me today too. Had to pull over--read the manual--restarted then it was good. But this is definitely a safety issue. Will give Oakville Mazda a call tomorrow!

[shaqkur]

and mines a 2008.5 Mazda3 GT at 50000+ kms.
reading slideways post--mine is one of the affected models/VIN

[xxSlidewaysxx]

@ shaqkur-- Oakville Mazda is now QEW Mazda different location same people and they fixed my PS problem with no issues. My pump cut out twice and it was at around 40000 when it first happened, on a hot day, in a drive through, turning left.....second time I was in traffic and not too hot.

[Silv3r]

I got a 2008.5 GT as well with 50K +. Interesting to note it happened to me on that really hot tuesday this week after at least 30 minutes of highway driving and stop and go traffic. Still did not have to swing by the dealer, busy busy week.

[Shotta-KB]

I believe this affects the 08-09 models as my sis has 08 and she had that issue today. So aparently it's the pump that is the issue When it gets too hot as it's part hydraulic part mechanical, it's a warranty fix anyhow so that's a good thing. Guess this heat didn't help much, so my sis had to leave it at QEW Mazda overnight As she got the car there after service hours, so we'll pick it up tomorrow sometime...that's crazy!

[Shotta-KB]

Is it possible for the pump to fail with the old line depositing crap into the new pump?

Thoughts?

from what I heard from QEW Mazda rep the issue is not so much the lines but the pump failing when it overheats and given the recent temperature hikes it doesn't help. I suppose changig the line is a precautionary step

[xxSlidewaysxx]

from what I heard from QEW Mazda rep the issue is not so much the lines but the pump failing when it overheats and given the recent temperature hikes it doesn't help. I suppose changig the line is a precautionary step

The lines have a coating that flakes off and clogs the pump, from what I've heard. The full and proper fix is to change the lines too.

[Iceman_F1]

Happened to my mom's car just yesterday. Obviously hot outside so that looks to be a cause. Was stopped waiting to turn at a light for awhile and luckly only happened when she got into the parking lot and not while driving. Got it towed to QEW Mazda. Mine is apparently within the VIN range yet no issues on mine as of yet *knocks on wood*.

Interesting issue though.

[FoXy]

I'm gonna have to take mine in. Happened to me (well Mat) while driving my car in 32 degree weather in Old Quebec this weekend... FML... FAIL

[She_Prime]

I had mine go the other day. Luckily Select Mazda in Hamilton was able to fix it the same day.

Did anyone else though have their steering wheel make a squealing noise right after they got their power steering pump and lines fixed? Mines been squealing since and I don't know what's the issue.

Currently I'm sitting at QEW Mazda and informed them of the issue. Hopefully they know what's going on.

[xxSlidewaysxx]

No squeal from mine after the repair........

Nice avatar She-Prime