Mazda CX-5 power steering loss problems

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Steering · PA

Component failure: potential thermal (heat-related) breakdown of the EPS control module, steering rack electronics, or associated wiring harness. Description: After approximately two hours of continuous highway driving, a critical Red Steering Wheel Warning Light illuminates intermittently in the center dashboard. This indicates a severe system fault and imminent threat of total loss of power steering assist while operating at highway speeds presenting an extreme safety hazard. The vehicle is under the bumper-to-bumper warranty and was brought to authorized Mazda service for the warranty repair. The dealership refused to perform a deep electronic diagnostic of the EPS module. The service manager released the vehicle back to me, claiming the issue cannot be duplicated unless it is driven for two hours and no active codes are showing. He is claiming this is a lane assist issue and the vehicle is safe. This is not a lane assist issue as it was occurring for the complete two hour trip and not on a specific road area that the lane assist could not detect. By refusing to escalate a critical steering failure to manufacturer engineers, the dealership has forced me to continue driving a potentially unsafe vehicle with a known steering defect in order to “prove” the malfunction occurs.

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · CA

While driving on February 12, 2026, the steering system failed, resulting in the steering wheel locking and becoming impossible to turn. While making a right-hand turn, the steering wheel suddenly locked. I had to forcefully jerk the wheel to regain control and avoid colliding with a concrete barrier on the right shoulder. After several seconds, the steering function returned to normal. This failure occurred without warning and created an immediate safety hazard due to loss of steering control. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealership, but the issue could not be replicated and no repairs were performed. This condition presents a serious safety risk as it can occur during normal driving maneuvers and may lead to loss of control and collision.

Filed Apr 13, 2025 · Steering · TX

Extremely heavy steering causing excessive driver fatigue making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle at highway speeds (up to 70mph). Dealers unable to reproduce, likely due to it being cold outside when I had time to go. The hotter and dryer the roads gets, the better grip the tires have and the worse the heavy steering gets. It is significantly heavier than my old car at higher speeds and that car has no power steering. My arms are very sore after 30min - 1 hour. Mazda refuses to admit this is a significant safety issue. It gets worse when the LKAS activates at least once (too heavy I am veering around in my lane)

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · NC

My car is a 2021 CX-5, Turboed AWD vehicle. It keeps consuming oil. I took it to the dealership, Sandy Sansing Mazda in Pensacola, where I purchased the car. The technicians informed me that these models are known to consume oil. They did not tell me that when I bought it in September of 2022! They had a technical service bulletin, which works as a policy for the company, with a range of VIN numbers that indicated the vehicles with those VIN numbers are likely to have a manufacturing defect that allows oil to leak into the combustion chamber. My car's VIN number falls within that range. While I purchased this vehicle to drive long distances, including to see and care for my mother in NC, who was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and to Alaska from FL, my newish (pre-certified) car runs out of oil quickly. It must be causing internal damage (plugs, wires, exhaust, and the cylinders). When I asked the Mazda techs to fix the issue, they informed me they would not uphold the warranty, because I put oil in the vehicle. I was 400 miles away from home on a trip, on a Sunday, when a light in my car came on that indicated the car was low on oil. Why wouldn't I put oil in it? It is not safe to drive a vehicle with no oil, as it could cause the engine to stop working. One time, my oil pump went out in a 2002 Tacoma, and my camshaft welded itself together, or to other parts of the engine, at 70 mph down a highway. I lost power steering, power brakes, power in general. The timing belt was instantly shredded. It's not safe to drive cars that consume oil so rapidly between recommended changes. Mazda would not uphold their warranty responsibly, and they have known about the defect for some time, yet they are still selling cars that are unsafe to drive.

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · 35,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2018 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the power steering assist and brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into trees. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. All of the warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife attempted to turn off the vehicle, but it would not turn off. The fire department had to disconnect the battery to turn off the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact's wife was later taken to the hospital for injuries sustained to her knees. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 73,000 miles · IN

When I start the car all the dash lights illuminated and stayed on as I drove the car. When I turned on the right turn signal all the warning lights flashed rapidly the navigation, electrical system shut down and the car started to die. The service engine light stays lit the warning about a power steering failure, brake failure and keyless entry problem, ABS, speed monitoring tire pressure all comes up in the warning area. The power steering does fail making it hard to turn. In doing research on the issue it comes from a faulty ground cable issue on the right side of the car. I have had this occur 3 different times now on this car.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · Electrical · MD

2016 mazda cx-5. Consumer writes in regards to power steering failure, brake system failure and other electrical system failures. *smd the consumer stated she experienced catastrophic electrical failure twice within two months and the dealer had no idea how to fix it. The failure caused issues with the power steering, and brakes. Also, the warning lights, including the air bag light flashed on the dashboard. *jb updated 10/03/16.

Filed Jan 8, 2016 · Electrical · 6,300 miles · MD

The car has about 6300 miles on it and we bought it new. While driving on the highway, early january 2016, the car "infotainment" system shut off and restarted itself. This includes navigation, bluetooth (music, phone etc) and the overall car monitoring system. It happened about 4 times during a 45 minute commute. It has happened a few times previously but only once per trip, perhaps due to shorter trips. It does not have any discernible pattern. It is concerning if it is an electrical problem, as the whole car is basically electronic, including steering! (no steering fluid for example, all electric) it is going to the dealer to be checked out this week. I can see the navigation shutting down in the middle of a trip also being a problem, especially if it's the main form of guidance.

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 2,200 miles · VA

This is the second occurrence of the same issue, but while driving the vehicle at highway speeds, all dash lights illuminated (check engine, turn signals, temp warnings, etc) simultaneously and the information screen displayed an alert "engine inspection required". The incident also resulted in a loss of power steering/heavier-than-normal steering effort and brake warning indications, on the first instance (july 10, 2014), mazda roadside assistance was contacted and the vehicle was towed to the dealer with no fault/cause found. On the second instance (july 15, 2014), the vehicle was driven directly to the dealership. Technicians were able to diagnose the issue to a loose ground connection in the passenger front fender well.

Filed Apr 18, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 4,000 miles · WA

Car fails to start x 2 but then starts. Briefly, accelerate car as I merge on the fwy. Car begins decelerating, lurching so I struggle to steer to the side of the fwy. Many warning lights flashing, no brakes, no steering ability. Turn of car. Try but unable to turn on car. Call towed. Mechanics say car starts right up and nothing wrong. Funky other little things like, I open rear hatch to put item in car (keys are in house). Attempt to close hatch but it won't latch. Obtain remote and try to use it to engage latch. No luck. Last month, can't start car. Call aaa, technician starts car but says to replace batteries in remote. Take to dealer. Batteries fine and no findings. 4/17/14 start car and proceed to back up. All warning lights are on. Unable to steer or depress brakes. Turn off car. One hour later, car starts and all is copacetic.