Power Steering Pump Went!

[sudz]

Had a crazy day on friday.

Started working from mississauga office
Called at noon to tell me to go to Don Mills office
Decided to go downtown after work for a drink with some friends
And the powerstreering cut out on Yonge street!

Do you know how HARD it is to drive our cars with no powersteering - IN a super tight/small underground parking lot by Korean BBQ?!?

Called Mazda that night - They told me to come in ANY time - That they'd make room (I love them!)

Turns out there was a TSB on it - New pump is on order and they'll install it asap. It'll take half a day - I just don't know if I can live without the car for half a day for the next week or so.

The crazy thing is that the pump is limping along right now - So I'm driving it. :-S It whines a bit, and sometimes it gets difficult to steer for a split second. I'm driving like a granny - Hands at 10 and 2.

Should I ask for a rental? think it'll cost much?

This is the first real problem I've had with the car that wasn't my fault. Overall, I'm still impressed - And oakville mazda makes all my worries go away. Between Robin and Tiffany - I'm covered! :-)

[Cardinal Fang]

TSB on the power steering pump?

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

TSB on the power steering pump?

This is all I could find...which is a known TSB and is listed in more detail on the TSB link on this site. Not aware of any recalls or TSB's on the actual pump itself.

Perhaps the fluid leaked to such an extent that the pump itself ran completely dry and basically killed itself. Pumps don't like to run dry...LOL. So, maybe Mazda is replacing the pump since it was caused by the result of this leak problem...That's a guess on my part only of course.

In any case Sudz, glad you're getting it fixed.

Make : MAZDA Model : MAZDA3 Year : 2007
Manufacturer : MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Service Bulletin Number : 06-003/08 Date of Bulletin : FEB 18, 2008
NHTSA Item Number : 10024307
Component : STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSISTOWER STEERING FLUID
Summary :
HEAVY STEERING EFFORT/POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. SOME MAZDA3 VEHICLES (EXCEPT MAZDASPEED3) WITH VIN'S LOWER THAN JM1BK**** **709745 (PRODUCED BEFORE FEB. 1, 2007) & SOME MAZDA5 VEHICLES WITH VIN'S LOWER THAN JM1CR**** **150635 (PRODUCED BEFORE FEB. 1, 2007). *NJ

[mazda lover]

Had a crazy day on friday.

Started working from mississauga office
Called at noon to tell me to go to Don Mills office
Decided to go downtown after work for a drink with some friends
And the powerstreering cut out on Yonge street!

Do you know how HARD it is to drive our cars with no powersteering - IN a super tight/small underground parking lot by Korean BBQ?!?

Called Mazda that night - They told me to come in ANY time - That they'd make room (I love them!)

Turns out there was a TSB on it - New pump is on order and they'll install it asap. It'll take half a day - I just don't know if I can live without the car for half a day for the next week or so.

The crazy thing is that the pump is limping along right now - So I'm driving it. :-S It whines a bit, and sometimes it gets difficult to steer for a split second. I'm driving like a granny - Hands at 10 and 2.

Should I ask for a rental? think it'll cost much?

This is the first real problem I've had with the car that wasn't my fault. Overall, I'm still impressed - And oakville mazda makes all my worries go away. Between Robin and Tiffany - I'm covered! :-)

Is your car still under warranty?

[GHANNAH86]

Sudz,

I had my Power Steering Pump repalced last summer and the repalcement pump likes to kick out at least twice a week. It was worse in the winter.

[victor_t]

of course, I have a 2007 mazda 3 with VIN lower than that...

how does this recall/TSB thing work? If I don't have any symptoms, will they do anything?
the car still has a year of warranty, but what if this thing breaks in a year and one month?

BTW, is this part of the 3 year warranty or the 5 year powertrain warranty?

[sudz]

I brought the car in... they read the code (the power steering warning light was thrown a few times)
And traced it back to a bulletin. I have 62,000km... they are replacing it under warranty. (How long is my bumper to bumper? 60 or 80K?

As well, the fluid when the engine is warm is at the "max" line - It's not that. I check my fluids a few times a month.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I brought the car in... they read the code (the power steering warning light was thrown a few times)
And traced it back to a bulletin. I have 62,000km... they are replacing it under warranty. (How long is my bumper to bumper? 60 or 80K?

As well, the fluid when the engine is warm is at the "max" line - It's not that. I check my fluids a few times a month.

Your warranty is 3 years, 80K. Glad they replaced it for you under warranty Sudz. Which dealer out of curiousity?

[sudz]

The best dealer ever. Oakville Mazda. They've made me a follower for life.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

The best dealer ever. Oakville Mazda. They've made me a follower for life.

+1 to Oakville then, although I've never used them to date. I asked who the dealer was, as not all of them are as forthcoming and honest when it comes to TSB's. Some yes, but definately not all.

Great work Oakville. All dealers should take your example.

[sudz]

Update:

Power steering pump is on backorder... Until MAY 5th!

I just called - The power steering conked out twice ont he way back from the meet (always around corners, for maybe a second at a time)

The "suprise" factor of it is making it really unsafe.

I called Tiffany, Since Its been more than 5 days since I submitted the problem, she's going ahead and getting me a rental. I'm picking it up Tomorrow morning.

You know... its kind of nice that the mazda3 is the most affordable mazda car out there. If I had a toyota matrix... they'd stick me with an yaris as a rental... lol.

Again...
Car breaking - Not Oakvilles fault.
Power steering pump on backorder - Not Oakvilles fault.
Amazing service - Oakvilles fault. :-)

[sudz]

Another Update...

I'm STILL Driving a rental.
No ETA on the pump. Its been 3 weeks now!

I saw my car in the parking lot at oakville mazda... I had to get some stuff out of the car (407 transponder) ... the rotors are rusting up, and its covered in pollen.

The car has never gone more than 48 hours without being driven.
I miss my car. :-(

[FLIPDADY]

Talked to my buddy in Virginia at Rosenthal Mazda. He said they're not just replacing the pumps but the power steering lines that go from the pump to the steering rack. Apparently they are getting corroded causing failure in the pump.

BTW, he's got at least 30 of these units on backorder.

[sudz]

Yeah, I just called Nelson at Oakville (great guy)

THey said they have an ETA for TOMORROW... But he says not to hold my breath - Sometimes shipping can be delayed as well.

Oakville Mazda has 4 on order right now - THankfully i'm on the top of the list.

Thanks for the info FlipDady!

[Tokic_o]

Waiting on mine too

[sudz]

Googleing makes this seem like a bigger problem than I believed it was. Wonder why there hasn't been a recall? I mean if your going around the corner and your power steering goes and you take out a family as a result... seems like a pretty serious lawsuit over something that is a known issue!

Regardless... I still love mazda, Oakville mazda... and my car. My first issue (that wasn't my fault) ever.

In case anyone is interested - My rental is a Nissan Sentra.

It was a contender when I was looking for a car... but I chose the mazda over it for a very good reason.

I've nicknamed it the nissan Castra. Because it lacks Balls. It hesitates when you need to accelerate... it pauses as the rev's build up... THEN lunges. It's had me in a few "Oh shit" situations in intersections already. (and I don't drive like a maniac!)

Its hard to adapt to. That, and I feel like I'm 8 feet off the ground.

At least its smooth on the highway... I have 1500km on it already. Almost half its life has been in my hands. I shudder to think what this costs. (3 weeks of rental!)

I'm going up to algonquin park this weekend - I REALLY hope I have my own car by then!!!

[Go_Habs_Go]

I've nicknamed it the nissan Castra. Because it lacks Balls. It hesitates when you need to accelerate... it pauses as the rev's build up... THEN lunges. It's had me in a few "Oh shit" situations in intersections already. (and I don't drive like a maniac!)

Now that was funny. LOL

Hope your power steering gets fixed soon!

[cdseaman]

Downtown Mazda in Toronto is saying the same things.

My power steering went 2 weeks ago and the parts were backordered from Japan. They were due to arrive this week but have been delayed until next week after the long weeken (if they arrive then). Since my car broke down the service desk says at least 3 others have come in with the same problem. They are expecting a recall.

Sadly downtown mazda was not nearly as helpful with a replacement rental for my leased vehicle. At first they said the dealership nor mazda canada provided rentals unless you have an extended warranty (since we have a 3 year lease there was absolutely no reason to pay several thousand dollars for an extended plan that we wouldn't use). So I missed an important trip. I then fought with Mazda Canada and Mazda Leasing. I figure if you lease a car (essntially borrowing a car at an inflated rate) and they want to perform a recall on it and have if for 3-4 weeks they owe you a replacement vehicle. That or you don't have to pay your lease that month. 2 days later the dealership called back to say that Mazda Canada had approved a rental for the term of the repairs (which they said was unheard of - which I find just shocking - unheard of to give people waiting weeks for repairs a car to drive? really?).

I'm now driving a Chevy Colbalt - the thing must cost $8000 brand new. It has trouble going down hills with a tailwind. It reminds me of the 1990 Dodge Shadow we used to drive before we bought the Mazda 3. This is what I get for my lease payment this month - horray!

[ccnpp44765]

I've got the same problem in the US with my 2007 2.3L.

I'm hearing the parts are back-ordered to July. The reason they can't just take the parts off the production line is that the new 2010 Mazda 3 doesn't use the same parts. (I'm waiting on pump motor and lines. That supports the corrosion in the lines theory.)

And like you, I've got a lame rental. To protect the innocent, it's a GM sub-compact. Not in the 3's class!

Anyway, good luck to you all.

I just want my car back before half the summer's gone!

And kudos to TorontoMazda3! The US Mazda 3 owners' site has nothing on this yet!

[sudz]

I can't say enough good things about Oakville Mazda.

They recieved the part around 1. at 4 they told me my car was ready. At 5:30 I was there with my baby, transferring my stuff from the rental. I gave them the rental keys, they handled all the paperwork and such, and I drove away - Not paying even a cent.

Glorious service! I'm sure I annoyed the service department with my incessant calls "did it come in yet?" (nearly every day for the last week) Hopefully the box of timbits helped take the edge off my annoying attachment to my Mazda3.

One thing the nissan Castra made me realize - I LOVE MY CAR!

I drove up to algonquin park this weekend with my new "newly returned" mazda - Drives like a charm!

Thanks to Tiffany, Nelson, and Robin for putting up with me, and the awesome service guys! Jason, you have an AWESOME team there! See you at the BBQ!!!

... Ironically - I'm 900km from an oil change - I hope they don't dive under the desks when they see me walk through the door in a week or two!

[pcphilippe1]

Is your ride a 2008 model? I am still waiting on my PS pump. It was supposed in on Monday but they did not get it. Now the ETA is for next Monday the 25… I hope it will be in I cannot wait to start driving my car around… hopefully before the breaks are fused to the rotors…

Here is my little story from another thread….

Well I do not want to discourage you. But mine died also.. It has now been 3 weeks today...

My dealer rented me a crappy Nissan Versa... They told me that they would get my PS pump last week. I called in last Monday only to find out that they still did not have the pump and they were not able to provide me with a straight answer as to when the part would arrive.

There for I was pissed at them and I decided to give Mazda Canada a call to get a straight answer. I explained the problem to the Customer Service lady at Mazda Canada. She looked into the parts situation for me and informed me that the PS pump would be back order for at least one month. This back order seems to be caused because Mazda has stopped the production because they have discovered a flaw in the pumps design and they are currently re engineering it. This means that there are a bunch of Mazda 3 owners that are screwed and will have a PS pump failure some time soon.

With this information I then call my dealer again to tell them that there was no way that I would accept driving a Versa around for a month. I demanded for them to give me a equivalent car. They called the rental place and swapped out the Versa for a Mazda 3 2010 Brand new right off the factory floor... With this ride I can now wait for the parts to arrive from Japan for my Mazda 3

If you wonder... Even if I am driving around the 2010 model... I still can’t wait to get my 2008 ride back. Driving a rental car a is never like driving your ride around.

[sunkist4338]

Is your ride a 2008 model? I am still waiting on my PS pump. It was supposed in on Monday but they did not get it. Now the ETA is for next Monday the 25… I hope it will be in I cannot wait to start driving my car around… hopefully before the breaks are fused to the rotors…

Here is my little story from another thread….

pcpphille which dealership did you go to

[pcphilippe1]

St-Constant Mazda In Quebec

http://www.mazdastconstant.com/en/index.spy

[DurhamMazda3Guy]

Hi guys,

I just joined the site today since i've been researching this exact problem.

Yesterday whle driving home from work on the 401, my power steering light turned on and had one heck of a time turning my wheel.

I dropped the car off at Ajax Mazda and they weren't very re-assuring when I asked if it would be covered under warranty. They did although get me a rental car(which i hate, pontiac g5)

Not to sound like a jerk, but i'm glad to see other people with this problem, not only my car, so i'll have some ammunition if they tell me it's not covered.

my 3 is a 2008.5, 52k(still under warranty).

I'll keep you guys posted if you're interested when i hear back from them today.

[DurhamMazda3Guy]

Ok, so got a call from Ajax Mazda and they need to replace my pump and lines.

They said that the part is on back order and will take about a month to get the part in.

They said that they need to find out if the dealership will cover a rental for that long.

Now considering my car is under warranty, I won't be laying down if they tell me that they won't cover the rental for that long. I live in whitby and work in mississauga, i won't be renting a car on my own.

I'm just happy they've actually told me they're going to be fixing the car under warranty