On the heels of a GM recall of crossover SUVs, a Mazda recall has also been put into effect. The Mazda recall is a little more significant, as it affects a more vital part than the GM recall does. . Similar troubles were noticed in Japan over the last few years, and those problems were documented and fixed. Mazda is issuing a recall in the United States to address the flaw.
Steer clear of doing nothing over it
The issue, according to the New York Times, is within the power steering pump and system. The power steering system can build rust internally, which can leak to the pump and cause it to malfunction or stop working entirely. The defect can shut the power steering system off, making steering much harder and possibly cause accidents. By June 2009, Mazda was aware of the problem but wanted to see just how many vehicles could be affected.
Japan was the first to discover it
The defect was first noticed in Japan, and Mazda started an “improvement campaign,” tantamount to a recall, last year. The incidence rate was higher than it has been in the U.S. Mazda preemptively notified Mazda dealers and provided technical information on how the problem should be fixed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started an investigation, as outlined by the Salt Lake Tribune. It received 33 complaints about the problem, involving 3 crashes.
The Mazda makes and models
Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 models from the 2007 through 2009 years are subject to the recall, of which there are 215,000 in America. If you drive one, take it to the nearest Mazda dealership for the fix. Issues in the power steering system are severe and should be addressed right away. If the steering column locks up and you also can’t steer the automobile also, that can lead to a crash.
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
