2010 Mazda MAZDA3: steering wheel locks up

7 of the 686 complaints about the 2010 Mazda MAZDA3 describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 103,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2015
1
2014
1
2012
2
2011
2
2010
7
2008
7
2007
9
2006
2
2005
4
2004
3

What owners say

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Steering · 103,000 miles · CA

In motion on city street power steering locked up and would not operate. Restarted car and worked for 30 seconds before failing again. No computer code stored and mechanic can't find issue or replicate issue.

Filed Nov 21, 2016 · Steering · 105,310 miles · DE · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda 3. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle collided into a street sign and fractured the passenger side mirror. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering angle sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,310.

Filed Sep 21, 2016 · Steering · 103,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda 3. While driving 40-45 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The vehicle became difficult to operate safely. The contact stated that the electronic power steering pump was replaced at 98,000 miles; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2016 · Steering · 27,000 miles · NJ

Steering wheel locks up while driving. Cannot maneuver. This happens randomly.

Filed Mar 5, 2016 · Seats, Steering · NH

Steering wheel locking up while driving, unable to turn the car

Filed Sep 8, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 23,000 miles · NJ

On august 29th while driving with my 2010 mazda 3, going about 30 miles an hour, the power steering wheel locked up, and all the warning/indicator lights came on. I completely lost control of the car. I tried to re-start the car, but the car would not start and the warning/indicator lights came on steady, with the exception of the electronic steering lock warning light, which was flashing red. It was not a battery issue because the radio and lights worked fine. I had the car towed to a mazda dealer. The mazda dealership said that they did not know what the issue was because they could not access the PCM to read the error code to understand what happened, and they ended up replacing the PCM. I called mazda customer assistance and complained and they told me that the PCM failure does not relate to the steering wheel locking up. This is similar to complain #10461029. I do not feel safe driving this car again, and I would like mazda to take it back. It only has 23000 miles, and I have another 6 month to go on my lease.

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Steering · 1,900 miles · FL · crash

Loss of steering control on my 2010 mazda 3 resulting in accident. Also the brakes did not operate as designed. While turning a corner the vehicle steering wheel locked and/or loss steering control , brakes were applied, vehicle begin to stop but before stopping, it turned and ran off the road causing damage to vehicle and property. This was confirmed by driver, 2 passengers and the police. This was the first time this happened. Not sure what is wrong with vehicle. Damaged being repaired at this time.