2006 Mazda MAZDA3 Steering Problems

“I was parallel parking and my wheel stiffened up. I turned off my engine and turned it back on. I then had to power my wheel from that point forward. I tried putting power steering fluid in and that did not work. I went to a mechanic and he said that I need a new power steering pump. This issue is very similar to the recall that was put on Mazda 3's for 2007-2009 models.”

“I have a 2006 Mazda 3 with approximately 53,000 miles. While I am driving on the road, the radio will suddenly turn off, the power steering light comes up on the dash, and then the power steering completely fails. Sometimes, the power steering light comes on, but then doesn't shut off. It wasn't too frequent at first, but on some days, it will happen everytime I drive somewhere. It usually occurs early in the drive. Once I turn off the engine and restart, it usually resets and my car is fine. …”

“Power steering seems to quit - power steering warning light comes on. Since we were on a freeway, it was some time before we could get off the road. Steering was available, but very stiff. We turned of the engine and got power steering back/warning light off. Since then the power steering will fail (get stiff) as we are driving down the road. What would happen, if we were on a mountain road on a steep curve? We do not find Mazda's little film on what to do if this problem to fix the problem. Mazda needs to recall cars with this problem!! …”

“Two loss of power steering incidents in the past two weeks. I am the second owner and purchased in november 2011. The first incident occurred in my parking garage at school after I had turned left into the garage. Could not turn the wheel at all, fortunately there was an empty space directly in front of me. Car sat for a few hours and then drove fine. A week later driving thru an alley at about 10 - 15 MPH lost steering again, this time had it towed to a local repair shop. They cannot find a thing wrong calling it a very unique and strange issue. …”

“First incident was about 1 month ago, while turning at a slow rate of speed the radio went out, the power steering went out, and the steering light on the panel lit up. Everything came back within about 5 seconds. This started happening more frequently, and yesterday it happened nine times in the span of a 13 mile drive. Took the vehicle to our regular mechanic and he said that the power steering pump needs to be replaced. I find it strangely coincidental that the 2007-2009 makes of this vehicle were all recalled for this very same reason.”