The day after the GM recall of crossover SUVs was announced, a Mazda recall was announced as well. The Mazda recall is a tad more serious, as the defect in question is more vital than the GM recall. Mazda has noticed a flaw in the power steering system, whereas GM merely has some issues with seat belts. Mazda had noted the very same problem in Japan last year, and waited to see if the defect manifested in American models. Mazda is issuing a recall in the United States to address the flaw.
Steer to a dealership
As outlined by the New York Times, the defect is a flaw in the power steering pump system. The power steering system can build internal rust, which can flake off to the power steering pump, causing the pump to stop working properly or shut off completely. The power steering system could potentially shut off, causing steering to be far more difficult and potentially cause an accident. Mazda knew of the problem by June of 2009, and also the business has been keeping an eye out for how many autos it occurred in.
Japan was the first to find it
Mazda started a recall in all but name, dubbed an “improvement campaign,” in Japan after first noticing the defect. There were more documented instances in Japan than the U.S. Mazda preemptively notified Mazda dealers and provided technical information on how the problem should be fixed. Upon hearing of the defect, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, the National High Traffic Safety Administration started investigating. The NHTSA received 33 reports, of which 3 were from accidents that occurred.
What vehicles are involved?
You will find 215,000 of the models in question in the United States of America alone, which are Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 cars from model years 2007 to 2009. If you drive one, take it to the nearest Mazda dealership for the fix. Power steering issues are significant. Should the steering system lock up or power steering should disengage, the vehicle will be harder to steer and a crash may result.
Citations
New York Times
wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/mazda-recalls-215000-cars-for-power-steering-problem/
Salt Lake Tribune
sltrib.com/sltrib/money/50126001-79/mazda-vehicles-seat-problems.html.csp
