2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 13%of 145 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3, 13% of the 145 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving over bumpy roads, my power steering light comes on, sometimes losing power steering making it very difficult to drive the car. It has never happened on the highway, but there's no rhyme or reason for when it will come back on or why the steering goes out or not. Two mechanics I've taken it to can't seem to find anything wrong and one thinks it could be the power steering pump.”
NHTSA complaint #10486396, filed 2012-11, 110,000 miles“I love my 04 Mazda 3, however in the last few months when making left turns I lose the power steering. The wheel almost completely locks. In 2 instances the gauges have gone up and down. I turn the car off then back on and it seems to help. I'm afraid to drive it now, help!”
NHTSA complaint #10375119, filed 2011-01, 100,000 miles“I started my car and my power steering light came on my dash when I was leaving work on 4/2/2015. I had no power steering at all. I've had a repair shop tell me it is my power steering pump that has failed. They stated that they cannot order the part needed to repair my vehicle, which is the electric power steering pump. I called a nearby dealership and they said I have to go through a zip dealership because it is a VIN specific part. They quoted me $900 for a power steering pump and $315 to install it! …”
NHTSA complaint #10704300, filed 2015-04, 159,000 miles“Issue: all electrical components along with power steering shutting off intermittently while driving. The first instance of this issue happened while turning into a parking lot. As I was making a right turn all the electrical components in my vehicle shut off, along with the power steering. About a second later everything came back on and operating normally. This same issue would happen intermittently, usually when making right turns. There was never enough of a pattern to say that it was happening every week or month, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509611, filed 2013-04, 120,000 miles“My car has had multiple problems. I have a Mazda 3 which I purchased in december. About a month ago my car began hesitating on occassion when I was stopped at a stop light and then pushing the gas to go. I did notice after the third time the vehicle did this that the d light on the dashboard blinked. I do not know if they are linked but it would be odd if they were not. I brought my car in for the problem and they could not figure it out and had kept it for 4 days.at which this time they found a berring had gone bad my car has 12,600 miles at this point. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088979, filed 2004-09, 12,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153318Jan 23, 2019Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10142519May 8, 2018Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10185904Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10101062Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10090812Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10098895Nov 4, 2014Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road. Follow steering wheel alignment procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 9 | 8% |
| 2012 | 15 | 7% |
| 2011 | 13 | 10% |
| 2010 | 31 | 5% |
| 2009 | 35 | 30% |
| 2008 | 117 | 39% |
| 2007 | 89 | 40% |
| 2006 | 28 | 17% |
| 2005 | 15 | 15% |
| 2004 | 19 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
28 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTires
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology