2008 Mazda MAZDA3: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Steering · 90,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced loss of power steering assist while driving at various speed and making turn. The power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The parking brake and power steering assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred five times in two days. The contact mentioned that an unknown recall repair was completed on the vehicle for the power steering, however the repair had not corrected the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a recall repair was completed for the same failure and it was a one-time free fix and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2020 · Airbags, Brakes · 110,000 miles · VA

Airbag light is on.....lost power steering at only 110,000 miles...ABS break system not working

Filed Jul 29, 2017 · Steering · 39,345 miles · CT

Lost all power while driving and turning. Abs, brake , ps , battery lights on dash illuminated, car looses steering and then the engine dies. Battery discharged as per load test.alternator tests fine. Happened two times after the power steering manufacturer recall was performed to remedy the same issue.

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Engine · 85,000 miles · CO

10 minutes after my check engine light went on my car lost power to accelerate. I pulled over as soon as this started and by the time I was able to get off the highway my car died at the top of the off ramp. At this point it began billowing white smoke out from under the hood, out the tailpipe, and into the cabin of the car. It was not blue nor did it have an oil smell. I was originally travelling approximately 70 miles an hour when I started to lose power and in the minute or two it took me to get to the off ramp and at the time the car died I was going less than 5mph. When taken to the shop they said that 3 of the 4 cylinders had 0 remaining power and the fourth only had around 1/8th of the power that it should have had. They said that oil and coolant remained in the car at proper levels. My car has been well maintained and, again, the fluid levels were appropriate. I had between 10 and 15 minutes between when the check engine light first went on and catastrophic, irreparable engine failure. The car itself had only 85,000 miles on it. Looking online I see many others, not just one or two hut hundreds, who have had nearly identical experiences with this exact make, model, and engine size. Yet mazda, when called, stated that there was no recall and he hadn't heard anything about it, though others have expressed that they, too, contacted mazda after this type of complete engine failure. Mazda's response was that it was out of the power-train warranty period and that there was nothing that they would be willing to do.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Engine · 75,057 miles · CA

Complete engine failure on well maintained mazda 3i at 75000 miles. Traveling on freeway in slowest lane of traffic, first heard a clicking noise and engine light went on. Car seemed to be losing power. Called aaa roadside help, who checked the car and determined it was ok and could be driven home, about 10 miles away. Proceeded to drive home, 5 miles into trip began losing power, clicking noise returned so I pulled over to shoulder as car completely lost power, engine overheated. Prognosis: timing chain broke, engine overheated and this car is a total loss. Finding now there are thousands of consumers that have experienced this issue with mazda engines. This company is a fraud, and people's lives are in danger as the result. Never again will I have anything to do with mazda cars.

Filed May 3, 2012 · Steering · 30,633 miles · PA

Sudden loss of power steering while traveling at moderate speed. Upon sudden loss of power steering the car pulled heavily to the right causing me to nearly hit a large tree on this very narrow road.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Steering · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda, mazda3. While the contact was driving approximately 25-30 MPH in the process of making a left turn, an unexpected loss of power steering occurred without warning. The vehicle was driven to the residence cautiously with excessive force applied to the steering wheel. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to a dealer for diagnosis. A recall notification was received the same day of the power steering failure. The recall was associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v374000 (steering: electric power assist system). The contact stated the experienced failure could have been avoided if the recall notification was not mailed in different phases as specified in the recall due to the lack of parts. There was significant concern of a safety hazard. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 16, 2010 · Steering · 17,390 miles · CA

Power steering light on dash came on then loss of power steering leading to heavy steering. According to owners manual, we were advised to turn off the engine, then back on. Even then, the light came on again and I lost power steering again, leading to very heavy steering. After those two incidents the power steering seems to be working ok. There is plenty of power steering fluid in the reservoir. I called mazda dealership and explained the issue in detail and was told there is no problem, especially because the light is now off and normal steering resumed - he advised there is no need to bring in the car. This is a safety hazard, especially for someone like my wife who lacks upper body strength. The effort required to turn the wheel without power steering is a lot, even for a man like me. Slow speed steering is almost impossible without power steering.

Filed Jul 27, 2010 · Steering · 20,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda, mazda 3. While the contact was driving approximately 45 MPH, an unexpected loss of power steering occurred. There was difficulty turning the steering wheel which caused the vehicle to travel into a parking lot uncontrollably. The contact was able to gain control. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the technician informed that power steering unit would need to be replaced. The part was unavailable; however, the repair part arrival date would be july 29, 2010. The failure mileage was 20,000. Updated 11/19/10. *lj updated 11/1610

Filed Jul 24, 2010 · Steering · 48,000 miles · CO

I was driving on the freeway at rush hour and my power steering light came on. Within seconds I lost power steering and my car was incredibly hard to steer off of the road. I had it towed to a mechanic and he called today to say that the light is out now and the car is driving fine. He doesn't know what happened. My car only has 48,000 miles and I am afraid that this will happen again with dire consequences. I will take it to the dealer on monday. My sister also has a 2008 mazda3 and she also had power steering failure last year at 35,000 miles which the dealership fixed under the warranty. This is a serious safety concern. Please do something!!

Filed Jul 17, 2010 · Steering · 35,251 miles · NY

Loss of power steering during the stop and go traffic, when the incident happened the vehicle was moving hardly, required excessive force. Turned off the engine for few minutes to cool down, after few minutes power steering started working again, steering kit replaced by mazda dealer.

Filed Jul 7, 2010 · Steering · 36,000 miles · NY

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 mazda 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65mph the power steering warning light illuminated and she lost all power steering function. The vehicle was driven home and when she restarted the vehicle the light was off and the power steering functioned normally. The failure recurred yesterday on the highway in heavy traffic. The vehicle was dropped off at a mazda dealer for repairs. They stated the vehicle was not under warranty and the repairs would be done at the owners expense. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. The current mileage is approximately 38,000. Rd