On the heels of a GM recall of crossover SUVs, a Mazda recall has also been put into effect. The Mazda recall is a tad more severe, as the defect in question is more vital than the GM recall. Mazda has noticed a flaw within the power steering system, whereas GM merely has some issues with seat belts. Mazda kept on eye on cars sold in the United States of America after noticing the defect in Japan last year. Mazda is issuing a recall within the United States of America to address the flaw.
Steer clear of doing nothing about this
The Mazda recall is being initiated over a fault within the power steering pump, according to the New York Times. The power steering system can build internal rust, which can flake off to the power steering pump, causing the pump to stop working properly or shut off completely. 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 many cars might be affected.
Japan was the first to find it
The defect was first noticed in Japan, and Mazda started an “improvement campaign,” tantamount to a recall, last year. The incidence rate was higher than it has been in the U.S. 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. It received 33 complaints about the problem, involving 3 crashes.
Which Mazda vehicles are affected?
The Mazda models that are affected are the Mazda 3 and also the Mazda 5, from model years 2007 to 2009, and you will find about 215,000 of them in the U.S. Owners should take them in to an authorized Mazda dealership to have the problem fixed. Power steering troubles are . Should the steering system lock up or power steering should disengage, the auto can be harder to steer and a crash may result.
Additional information at these websites
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
