Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 Recalled for Steering Loss

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation "These vehicles may have a condition in which a sudden loss think of power steering assist could occur at any time while driving the vehicle," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "Power steering assist is suddenly lost, reducing the driver's ability to steer the vehicle as typically expected, increasing the risk of a crash."

In other documentation filed with the federal government, Mazda said Mazdaspeed 3 vehicles are excluded from the recall since they are not equipped with electrohydraulic power steering.

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation said it has received 33 complaints alleging steering problems with the Mazda 3 and Mazda 5.

"The majority of complaints allege loss of power steering assist while driving, requiring excessive force on the driver's part to maintain control, or in some cases causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle," according to the Defect Investigations Summary by NHTSA. "Three of the complaints allege that the loss of steering control caused a crash."