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 ↗2012 Mazda Mazda5 steering problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Mazda Mazda5 have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Mazda5 | 37 |
| 2009 Mazda5 | 17 |
| 2010 Mazda5 | 5 |
| 2012 Mazda5 (this page) | 4 |
| 2013 Mazda5 | 4 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2012 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
Of the 7 model years of Mazda Mazda5 we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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.
Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3ð even when driving straight on a flat road.
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 3ð even when driving straight on a flat road.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Mazda 5. While making a turn at approximately 53 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle rolled over three times and crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion and minor neck, back, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and destroyed.…
I had noticed my steering wheel shaking slightly when slowing from highway speeds when my mazda5 had 13000 miles. I serviced my car at 18000 miles for an out of state trip, at this time my brakes were at .08mm and in good condition. During and after my trip the steering vibration became so extreme when braking at highway speeds that I avoided further driving on the freeway for safety. I returned…
I had 3,000 miles on my 2012 Mazda 5 when I first complained to a Mazda dealer that my car would wobble when going forward into a right turn and in reverse when making a left turn.'something' would always correct the problem for a while when I complained during multiple oil changes. Recently at 25,000 miles a dealer finally told me my rotors were out of round so they were going to ground them…
While driving my steering wheel got really harden almost impossible to turn. I nearly crash. I was lucky I was going slow. This has happened in more than 1 ocassion. I was driving in city.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Mazda Mazda5?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 37,704 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 $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/2012/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.