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 severe, as it affects a more vital part than the GM recall does. Mazda has noticed a flaw within the power steering system, whereas GM merely has some difficulties with seat belts. Mazda kept on eye on vehicles sold within the United States of America after noticing the defect in Japan last year. Mazda has issued the recall in America to address the problem.
Steer your Mazda to a dealership
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 into the pump and cause it to malfunction or stop working totally. 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 numerous vehicles could possibly be affected.
Japan was the first to find it
The business observed the problem in Japan, and started an “improvement campaign,” or a recall in all but name. There were more incidents noticed there than are observed in America. Mazda dealers were given notice and technical data on how to fix the defect. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started an investigation into the problem. Three crashes occurred in the 33 complaints which were made to the NHTSA.
The Mazda makes and models
The Mazda models that are affected are the Mazda 3 and the Mazda 5, from model years 2007 to 2009, and there are about 215,000 of them in the U.S. Owners should take them in to an authorized Mazda dealership to have the problem fixed. Issues within the power steering system are significant and should be addressed right away. Should the steering system lock up or power steering should disengage, the automobile can be harder to steer and a crash may result.
More info on this topic
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
