Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Mazda Mazda5 suspension problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 8 suspension complaints filed for the 2008 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 suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 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 suspension 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.
Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
We bought a 2008 mazda5 and have had to take it to the dealer twice for loose bolts on the rear right suspension. The car has less than 2000 miles on it. We are concerned about the safety of the car. *tr
Mazda 5 premature tire wear on toyo tires. The Mazda has 24712 miles, but only ~15000 are on the toyo tires due to running snow tires all winter and there is cupping and inner tire wear. Alignment was checked at Mazda and rear was slightly out of spec (-0.03). Mazda denies ever hearing of a tire problem on their Mazda 5s, when the topic is all over their web. When I purchased the car the saleman…
Mazda 5 - 2008 shocks and struts causes car unbalanced and damaging rubbers (between shock and frame) to cause noises. This also damages the tires and tire alignment. *tr
2008 Mazda 5. Consumer writes in regards to systemic problems with vehicle transmission. *ld the consumer stated the rear shock mounts and the oil assembly had to be repaired. The wheel rims corroded internally, allowing air to leak from the tires. The ignition switch and transmission failed. Updated 08/23/2017*js
Going down the road and all of a sudden it sounds like a rock banging in the rear driver side wheel well. It turns out to be a broken shock mount. This is the second one that has broken. One broke at ~80,000 miles and now this at ~120000. Search the internet and it is a known problem.
Had suspension trouble with your 2008 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 suspension problem on the 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 48,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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/2008/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.