A Mazda recall has just been announced right after a GM recall of their crossover SUVs. The GM recall is just a little less pressing, as the Mazda recall is of a fault in a vital system. . Mazda kept on eye on cars sold in the U.S. after noticing the defect in Japan last year. To address the issue, Mazda has announced a recall for the United States.
Steer yourself to your nearest Mazda dealer
The Mazda recall is being initiated over a fault in the power steering pump, as outlined by the New York Times. The power steering pump starts accumulating rust internally, which can cause rust to enter the pump and cause the power steering to malfunction or shut down. The power steering system could potentially shut off, causing steering to be far more difficult and potentially cause an accident. By June 2009, Mazda was aware of the problem but wanted to see just how many vehicles could possibly be affected.
Japan was the first to discover it
The company observed the problem in Japan, and started an “improvement campaign,” or a recall in all but name. There were more documented instances in Japan than the U.S. The business issued notices to American Mazda dealerships with technical data on how to fix the problem. Upon listening to of the defect, as outlined by the Salt Lake Tribune, the National High Traffic Safety Administration started investigating. The NHTSA received 33 reports, of which 3 were from accidents that occurred.
The affected models
There are 215,000 of the models in question within the United States alone, which are Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 automobiles from model years 2007 to 2009. If you drive one, take it to the nearest Mazda dealership for the fix. Power steering problems are severe. You can wind up in a crash if your power steering locks up, as the will become much harder to steer.
Additional info 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
