2004 Mazda RX-8: loss of power steering

Filed Feb 11, 2024 · Steering · GA

The electric power steering randomly pulls hard to one side while driving. There are brief spasms of forceful jerks each jerk is 1-2 seconds the series of jerks lasts 10-20 seconds and usually stops with power steering failure all while driving.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Steering · PR

July 2017 when I start the car the steering gear turn too the right all the time. Few mile the steering get hard and start shacking by it self. Now the steering is hard with ABS and control traction light on. I send it too a mecanic too check the wiring and rack and pinon and the mecanic indicate that is the torque sensor and I have too change the rack and pinon.

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Steering · 83,000 miles · CO

While driving my 2004, mazda rx8 the electric power steering module failed, and jerked the car aggressively to the left into the oncoming lane of traffic. The force was so strong that it caused momentary loss of control. Fortunately, there wasn't any oncoming traffic at that moment on that particular stretch of road. When reviewing the mazda forum there were several other owners that experienced the same loss of control or failure. Additionally, mazda had power steering assist recalls for the same problems, ref. Mazda3/mazda5 power steering recall notification 6010h.

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 81,500 miles · CA

Electric-assist power steering, randomly in the parking lot the wheel will turn all by itself, one way turns easier than the other, sometimes you have no power steering and other times your steering wheel turns like butter, I live in the mountains with a very windy and dangerous roads, I've taken it to several mechanics finally one mechanic just unplug the wiring harness so there is no power steering. It is very scary to drive especially with a newborn baby. There are a lot of cars on the road with this issue I know 10 different people that have some sort of power steering issue. This is very dangerous and I'm surprised there is not a recall yet on it. I've had two friends that are close to me that have this issue as well, one friend wrecked his car the other friend sold it I believe to pick-n-pull so it would not hurt anyone, please help and maybe help save a few lives, thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking with you

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Steering · 100,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving 20 MPH, the electric power steering failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to provide an accurate description of the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the failure may be due to the rack and pinion or an electrical fault with the power steering. The electric connector was removed, cleaned, dielectric grease was added to the connector, and the connector was re-installed; however, the failure recurred. Kelly mazda (1200 wyoming ave, scranton, pa 18509, (570) 342-7831) was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 28, 2018 · Steering · 137,000 miles · AZ

The coolant overflow hose is above power steering harness. The fluid leaks on the electrical power steering harness causing a loss of continuity and ground,causing a loss of power steering at start up and while driving and turning on city streets and highways. Its just a matter of time before this faulty electrical power steering unit and power steering module will result in injury and or death.

Filed May 28, 2015 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front passenger side control arm lower ball joint was deteriorating which could cause a loss of power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v325000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · Steering · 95,000 miles · TX

In early 2012 I started to notice that when the weather was cold my steering wheel would shudder as I backed out of my driveway. After a the initial wheel turn the problem would disappear until the next day, or week. Throughout the years the problem has gotten worse to the point that the power steering failed all together for 3 months in late 2013. Inexplicably the power steering returned in early 2014, but if the temperature was cold the steering was very heavy for a few degrees of turning and then the car would sense I had turned the wheel a few degrees and would then assist too much and the vehicle would jerk in that direction. As the year progressed the problem changed to a constant shake back and forth when I first started the vehicle. This issue would happen at speeds ranging from 0-10mph and only when either initiating a turn or while unwinding the wheel from a turn. I have had problems in the past couple of months, as the temperature has fallen again, when driving straight and entering a gradual curve in the road (travelling at any speed) the wheel will not give power steering assist and the wheel is very difficult to turn (compared to if power assist was working correctly) and then after a couple of degrees the assist will jump in and the car quickly over corrects and vehicle veers in the direction of the steer necessitating immediate correction in the opposite direction. There appear to be many complaints from a loyal mazda fan base about this exact issue, and how several people have nearly had an accident, but there has been no response from mazda. There seems to be no exact fix issued, not even a service bulletin.

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 100,000 miles · MA

I typically drive my rx8 like it should, one day I come home park my car per usual. Next morning I go to turn on my car, the dsc light stayed on, thought nothing of it, then on my way to work, I was driving causally, then while in the middle of a turn, my steering became very heavy and almost impossible to turn, my power steering had went out. After dealing with about 2 full days at the dealership, spending thousands, still no power steering, and I'm not credited any portion of what I paid to get fixed and its still not fixed. This is a known issue and a recall must be done immediately before people seriously get injured, injure others, or even die. This is all possible, if I didn't have both hands on the wheel, an accident most definitely would have taken place.

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Steering · 45,000 miles · CA

Electrically assisted power steering stopped working intermittently until it no longer works at all. This is a common problem with this model. I found this fact by joining the rx8 club website. Multiple owners have reported this problem and it appears obvious that it is caused by poorly engineered/manufactured electrical connectors. Some owners have gone as far as replacing the wire harness only to have the problem recur. Making the problem worse is that the mazda website has no mechanism to report the problem to the manufacturer. Currently the only time the power steering if functional is only for short periods after the care has been through a car wash and the undercarriage has become wet, and then it is only functional until the undercarriage dries out.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Engine, Steering · CO

Power steering stopped working when I was turning on to the high way. Making it stiff and hard to turn. Clutch peddle collapsed making it had to shift gears and the clutch ratio is off,

Filed Oct 10, 2013 · Steering · 84,000 miles · TN

Power steering failed and has many times cause me coming close in hitting the car next to me while driving. The steering wheel would turn by itself in a full 360. I constantly have to open my hood and shake to harness wire. This is a well known issue with this car. This issue should have been addressed a long time ago.