KnownCarProblems2008 Mazda Mazda5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda Mazda5, most often about the steering (55% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Mazda5 model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Mazda Mazda5 problems
Steering
37 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist.
We were driving from reagan airport to kensington, maryland. While changing lanes on I-495, the power steering gave out on our Mazda5 with 39k miles on it. We were able to drive home with great effort. We took the car to the Mazda dealership and they know about this problem, that it is typical for mazda5s.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. The contact stated that on may 7, 2010, the power steering failed and she had to use the manual steering power. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of…
Wheels and tires
10 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: valve, rim, tread/belt, sidewall.
Van has 15,000 miles and is approx 14 months old. Vehicle was diagnosed with excessive tire wear in the front and tire cupping in the rear, creating excessive road/tire noise inside of the vehicle cabin.
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…
Suspension
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda5. The contact heard a knocking coming from the front end of the vehicle when accelerating. The dealer informed the contact that both the struts and shocks were fractured, leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact sent the manufacturer an email and was awaiting a response. No…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. The contact stated that there were loose bolts on the rear passenger side suspension. While driving various speeds, the contact heard loud popping noises. The vehicle was taken to the dealer once and they planned on replacing the bushing and tightening the bolts on the suspension. The…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Rear slider doors freeze shut. There is no way to know that this problem is going to occur until it's already an issue. At the same time, the rear slider door latching mechanism freezes in 'open' position. If the door is able to be opened and not closed, the door has to be tied shut with bungees. If the driver does…
When temperatures drop below freezing, rear sliding doors have difficulty latching to the point where they can't be properly closed. This exact issue is described in recall #06v463000 for which my vehicle's VIN/year is not included. I would like my vehicle to be included in this recall so I can have the issue…
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: manual transmission.
Drivers floor mat retaining clip begins to separate from normal usage. Separation allows mat to move forward enough that edge of mat is caught by clutch pedal during gear changes. Mat lifts over clutch pedal and becomes entangled with clutch and brake pedal when trying to shift gears. Mat interference causes…
Clutch pedal sticks to floor when weather is cold causing difficulty shifting and or getting vehicle to move. When outdoor temps are below 35f, clutch pedal will stay depressed until vehicle warms up or is manually pulled back up with hands. Pedal may stay depressed when attempting to drive or pop back up abruptly…
Electrical
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: ignition.
This is what is going on with my car. I almost had an accident because of the power steering assist is suddenly lost by reducing my ability to steer the vehicle. Mazda said there was no recall on my car so they cant help me. Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from…
The contact owned a 2008 Mazda 5. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver heard a bang sound near the front end of the vehicle and pulled over to the side. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames under the hood. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. A police report…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 5%Tl contact owns a 2008 Mazda 5. While driving 65 MPH, the sunroof suddenly exploded. The sunroof was closed at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that someone in the vehicle caused the failure. The current and failure mileages were 4,100.
The glass panel of 2008 Mazda5 moonroof exploded on highway with no apparent reason. Luckily the inside cover was in place and not many broken pieces fell down from the gap. After a search on the internet, the issue seems not uncommon among Mazda cars and minivans.
Engine
3 complaints · 5%My husband was driving the car on the highway and the car began to stall and slow down suddenly. The car's heat indicator light went on high and then went to cold. He could not drive the car past 45 miles. When my husband exited the ramp off the highway the car shut down completely. The incident could potentially put…
The contact owned a 2008 Mazda 5. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver heard a bang sound near the front end of the vehicle and pulled over to the side. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames under the hood. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. A police report…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Mazda Mazda5 recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: 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.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008. These vehicles may have a condition in which a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur at any time while driving the vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of electric power steering assist
Summary
The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (ehpas).the complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles.usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash.the complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries.on mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the epas high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing.if the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating tem
Questions about the 2008 Mazda Mazda5
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Mazda5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (37 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); wheels and tires (10 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles); suspension (9 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Mazda5 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 12, 2010 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Mazda Mazda5?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Mazda5 model year since 2000, with 67 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.