At the shop, Mazda steering issues have a recognizable signature. 911 documented complaints across 65 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2008 Mazda Mazda3 tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 69 crash reports and 39 injuries on the record. Severity is real, not theoretical. Across the 557 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 70,821 miles. Average shop fix runs about $700 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Steering does not have a graceful failure mode. Take any "unintended movement" complaints seriously and check for open recalls on the EPS module.
ProblemsByVin MAZDA / STEERING
65 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Mazda steering problems
911 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Mazda vehicles for steering issues. 4 active recall campaigns. See steering across all makes →
Complaints
911
Recalls
4
Year-models
65
Avg fix
$700
69crashes
4fires
39injuries
Worst-affected Mazda model-years for steering Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2008 Mazda Mazda3
117 complaints · ~$700 severe
2008 Mazda Tribute
94 complaints · ~$700 moderate
2007 Mazda Mazda3
89 complaints · ~$700 severe
2008 Mazda Mazda5
37 complaints · ~$700 severe
2009 Mazda Mazda6
36 complaints · ~$700 moderate
2009 Mazda Mazda3
35 complaints · 1 recall · ~$700 severe
2010 Mazda Mazda3
31 complaints · ~$700 severe
2010 Mazda Mazda6
29 complaints · ~$700 moderate
2006 Mazda Mazda3
28 complaints · ~$700 severe
2007 Mazda Mazda5
21 complaints · ~$700 severe
2007 Mazda CX-7
20 complaints · ~$700 severe
2009 Mazda Tribute
19 complaints · ~$700 moderate
2008 Mazda CX-9
19 complaints · ~$700 severe
2005 Mazda RX-8
17 complaints · ~$700 moderate
2011 Mazda CX-7
16 complaints · ~$700 severe
2009 Mazda Mazda5
16 complaints · ~$700 severe
2012 Mazda Mazda3
15 complaints · ~$700 severe
2011 Mazda Mazda6
15 complaints · ~$700 severe
2005 Mazda Mazda3
15 complaints · ~$700 severe
2011 Mazda Mazda3
13 complaints · ~$700 severe
2010 Mazda Tribute
11 complaints · 1 recall · ~$700 moderate
2010 Mazda CX-7
10 complaints · ~$700 moderate
2006 Mazda Mazda5
10 complaints · ~$700 severe
2014 Mazda Mazda6
9 complaints · ~$700 severe
2013 Mazda Mazda3
9 complaints · ~$700 moderate
Active recalls — Mazda steering 6 on file
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles
If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7614E.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 vehicles
Loss of power steering assist while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the spring engaging the worm gear and reapply grease to the gear teeth, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6524A.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 vehicles
A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace the steering and suspension bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5923F.
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008
Power steering assist is suddenly lost reducing the driver's ability to steer the vehicle as typically expected, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump and lines free of charge. The safety recall began on september 15, 2010. Owners may contact Mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
Common questions
How many Mazda steering complaints are on file with NHTSA?
911 complaints across 65 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 4 active recall campaigns cover steering issues across the Mazda lineup.
Which Mazda model has the most steering complaints?
The 2008 Mazda Mazda3 leads with 117 complaints in this category. Next: 2008 Tribute (94) and 2007 Mazda3 (89).
What does it cost to fix Mazda steering problems?
Independent shops average $700 for steering repairs across the Mazda lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Mazda steering recalls?
Yes — 6 active recall campaigns cover steering on Mazda vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Mazda.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.