2005 Mazda MAZDA3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 15%of 97 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3, 15% of the 97 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 3 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.
“While driving the vehicle at any rate of speed the steering wheel locks and sometimes shuts the car down. I was traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour on the highway and the power steering light on the dash illuminated and then the steering wheel locked ,making it almost impossible to steer and have control of the vehicle..another instance , I was in the middle of making a turn when the steering wheel locked, this time the entire vehicle shut down forcing me to quickly try to restart the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10967329, filed 2017-03, 93,000 miles“Backing out of my driveway on 10/5/11, noticed that my steering wheel felt harder to turn intermittently, at the same time, the radio and dash board lights flickered and all the lights flashed. I stopped and returned into the driveway , where the car repeated to flicker lights and radio everytime I would turn the wheel. It did this until I shut the car off and then turned it back on , with no problems through out the day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10429215, filed 2011-10, 77,050 miles“Driving and steering light comes on,then hard to steer left or right.turn switch off and right back on light goes off and steering returns....very dangerous”
NHTSA complaint #10758788, filed 2015-08, 100,000 miles“The vehicle was coming around a turn at about 30 miles per house, when the vehicle's radio went off and steering locked up into manual and car was difficult to maneuver. When the brake was applied, the car stalled out and engine stopped. The vehicle was able to moved to side of the road and stop. The car was turned off and upon restart had to issues. Upon rest of return trip home, upon the application of the brake, the cars radio, thermometer gauge and general electronics would stop and reset when the brake was released and gas pedal applied.”
NHTSA complaint #10680990, filed 2015-02, 162,844 miles“Power steering failure Mazda 3 4dr 2005 with 75,000 miles periodic power steering failure over a 2 month period but by turning car on and of it would re-set and work. Mazda replaced power steering pump for $1500. Approx a month later failed again when I was 3 hours from home, would not re set upon a restart so drove it home w/o power assist (not easy on a front wheel drive). Dealer applied 2008 power steering fix (replace fluid and lines at no charge) and has not re-failed yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10341438, filed 2010-07, 78,000 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 2005 Mazda MAZDA3
24 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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