Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Mazda Mazda5 steering problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2006 Mazda Mazda5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or equivalent balance machine. If your dealer does not have a GSP9700 or equivalent balance machine, sublet the vehicle out for repair. To find the location of a GSP9700 near your dealer, visit Hunter?s web site at www.gsp9700.com and click on ?Locate a GSP9700 Road Force Balancer.?
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Ten owners report recurring steering failures in 2006 Mazda5 vehicles. The most common complaint is intermittent power steering loss—the pump stops providing assist at various speeds, forcing drivers to steer manually with heavy force. The power steering warning light or Check Engine light typically illuminates before or during the event. Failures happen without warning while driving, at traffic lights, or parked, and can occur multiple times. Some owners say turning the vehicle off and back on temporarily restores function; others found the problem persists even after dealer pump replacement.
One owner's steering wheel locked up completely during a right turn at 20 mph, causing the vehicle to go down an embankment and resulting in documented injuries and a total-loss insurance claim. Another owner reported the wheel locked four times in two months during low-speed turns.
Owners point out that the 2006 uses the same power steering pump as 2007–2009 models covered by NHTSA recall 10V374000, yet their 2006 VINs fall outside the recall range. Mazda has not extended coverage.
A separate, persistent problem affects tire life: owners report extreme uneven wear and tire failure at 20,000 miles or less, repeatedly, despite confirmed good alignment and balance. Dealers cannot correct it.
Same Mazda Mazda5 steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Electrical Failure
Power steering pump stops functioning intermittently or completely, requiring the driver to apply excessive force to turn the wheel. The failure often recurs even after pump replacement. Check Engine light or power steering warning light illuminates before or during the event.
When: Occurs at various speeds (under 5 mph to 70 mph) and conditions—stationary, at traffic lights, or during driving. Can happen multiple times over months or years. Mileage range: 62,224 to 149,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to turn; Power steering warning light on dashboard; Check Engine light illuminates; Loss of power assist requiring extreme force to steer; Intermittent failure; sometimes cycling vehicle off and back on temporarily restores function
Repairs/costs cited: 2006 models use the same power steering pump as 2007–2009 models subject to NHTSA recall 10V374000. Dealers have replaced power steering pumps; failure persists in at least one case despite replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners report the 2006 is outside the VIN range of NHTSA recall campaign 10V374000 (Steering), despite using identical parts. Mazda North America has declined to extend recall coverage to 2006 model year. Manufacturers claim no responsibility for vehicles not in the recall VIN list.
Steering Lock-Up During Turns
Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely stiff for brief periods during low-speed turns, then suddenly frees up. One incident resulted in the vehicle going down an embankment.
When: Low-speed maneuvers: 10–25 mph turns. Occurs intermittently; one case reported 4 incidents within 2 months. One documented incident at 20 mph during a right turn resulted in crash and injuries.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or extremely difficult to turn; Sudden stiffening of steering during turn; Steering wheel suddenly frees up after locking; No warning indicators prior to locking (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce issue or find fault. One incident (narrative #3) resulted in vehicle total loss and contact injuries (back, arm, head).
Severe Uneven Tire Wear from Alignment/Suspension Defect
Tires wear unevenly and rapidly despite normal driving patterns and confirmed good alignment and balance. Multiple sets of tires fail within 1–2 years or 20,000 miles, creating a safety hazard. Dealers reportedly overinflate tires as a temporary workaround, which owners characterize as more dangerous.
When: Begins early in vehicle life; original Toyo tires failed within first year. Persists over many years of ownership (~12,000 miles/year) regardless of tire brand or quality. Continues across multiple tire replacements.
Symptoms owners cite: Extreme and uneven tire wear; Rapid tire failure (multiple sets in 1–2 years); Tire wear despite alignment and balance checks showing normal; Safety concern from tire degradation on daily-use vehicle transporting children
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers and independent shops unable to correct; alignment and balance are within spec. Owner reports replacing tires constantly at significant expense without improvement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda provided one replacement set of tires which also failed at ~20,000 miles. Dealers mask problem by overinflating tires.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 25 MPH on dry road conditions, the power steering failed without warning, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The check engine light illuminated intermittently prior to the incident. This occurred on two occasions. The first time, the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who performed a diagnostic and determined that the power steering…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 Mazda Mazda5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2006 Mazda Mazda5?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 69,000 and 89,729 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,000; a quarter make it past 89,729. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mazda/Mazda5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.