2007 Mazda MAZDA5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving or turning, with the warning light coming on and steering becoming much heavier. Many complaints note that the vehicle identification number was not covered by the electric power steering recall, so owners paid for diagnosis or repairs themselves. A second frequent theme is accelerated rear tire wear and suspension noise, generally reported at low mileage.

1. 1
   Steering

   Sudden loss of power steering assist

   • 18 complaints (30%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Drivers describe the steering wheel abruptly becoming very heavy to turn, often while turning at an intersection, parking, or merging, and sometimes after the engine stalls. Several note the power steering warning light coming on, some had the assist return after restarting the car, and others report it recurring. Complaints describe dealers saying the vehicle identification number was not included in the electric power steering recall, or being unable to determine a cause; some had the steering column or pump replaced at their own cost. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 30,000 miles to over 140,000 miles, with many reports while turning or at low speed.

   Recall 10V374000

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering recall 10V374000 was ever performed on this vehicle, and test the steering at low speed and while turning during a test drive. Request any repair records for the steering column or electric power steering pump.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle was stopped at an intersection as I was waiting for an opportunity to make a left turn. As I was then making a left turn, I realized that I had lost power steering and I thought that the vehicle would completely lose all of its power and hence, its ability to move and cause me to come to a halt in the middle of the intersection. There was an oncoming car, so I just struggled to turn the wheel while I pushed down the accelerator. Thankfully, I made it out of the intersection on time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10396154, filed 2011-04, 25,700 miles

   “While driving my Mazda 5, while at a stop the car idles regular for about a min then it begins to loose power and boggle down until the engine shuts down completely. The power steering indicator comes on. For this not to happen I need to keep my foot on the gas peddle. According to the dealer my VIN number does not qualify for the recall that was issued on the power steering issue. I believe that my 2007 Mazda 5 also has the same problem, stated on the recall for the power steering issue. The dealer refuses to consider my case under the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10442602, filed 2012-01, 55,200 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Rear suspension noise, knocking and instability

   • 10 complaints (16%)
   • median 32,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2017

   Owners describe clunking, knocking or squeaking from the rear, a rear end that feels loose or sways over bumps, and repeated replacement of shocks, bushings and trailing arms. Some reports say the noise returned after repairs, and one complaint states a mechanic identified multiple suspension arms as badly worn. Dealers variously replaced rear shocks, said the leaking was normal for the age, or attributed the noise to a bent wheel. Reported mostly between roughly 17,000 and 110,000 miles, with several under 40,000 miles; noise often noticed over bumps.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive over uneven pavement and listen for rear clunking or squeaks, and have the rear shocks, bushings and trailing arms inspected for wear or leaks. A Mazda service bulletin notes that some oil film on struts and shocks is normal, so check the inspection criteria.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has less than 68,000 miles. Diagnosed as all suspension needing to be replaced. The mechanic diagnosing said, I wouldn't let my mom drive that car and that the suspension could blow out at any time while driving. All the arms of the suspension are bad/haywire and need to be replaced. I noticed that other 2007 Mazda 5s have been recalled for the same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10959626, filed 2017-03, 66,000 miles

   “The rear shocks on my 2007 MAZDA5 have failed for the second time. The first time was in the 40,000 mile range. At the time I though it was one shock going bad, and impacting and causing the other to go bad as well. Because I was out of warranty, I did not return to my Mazda dealer for repair under warranty. Also I did not go to them because I found a local garage that put in Mazda original replacements at a cheaper price. However, at 89,000 miles, my rear shocks have failed again! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10329916, filed 2010-05, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Premature inner-edge rear tire wear

   • 8 complaints (13%)
   • median 22,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2020

   Owners report rear tires wearing through on the inner edges well before the outer tread shows wear, with cords or steel belt visible in some cases, and repeat sets failing the same way. Several say multiple alignments, including subframe alignment, did not correct it, and some describe the car pulling to one side. Complaints mention dealers saying the wear was a design characteristic and that frequent tire replacement was the remedy. Usually noticed from around 12,000 to 45,000 miles, often shortly after new tires were fitted.

   What to check: Inspect the inner edges of the rear tires, not just the outer tread, and ask for recent alignment printouts and rear suspension inspection. Rotating tires regularly will not correct inner-edge wear, so budget for tires if wear is present.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After just 24,000 miles, I had to replace the tires on my 2007 MAZDA5 due to cupping. With just 5,000 miles on the new tires, the same thing is happening again. When I contacted Mazda regarding this, I was told it was a design flaw , and that if I didn't like the noise and the vibration from the tires, then I would just have to replace them frequently. This is not acceptable, due to the safety issues of driving on bad tires. I also can't afford $700.00+ a year for new tires. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10292605, filed 2009-11, 22,000 miles

   “(5/2010) at my local Mazda dealer during routine rotation maintenance of my tires I observed unusual ware on the inner areas of the tire tread areas and a grove carved on the inner sides of the tires. The grove was exposing areas of the steel belt of the tires. The first recommendation from Mazda was to replace the tires, soon. After speaking with the Mazda service rep he informed me that this issue has been known to occur in Mazda 3's and that Mazda came out with a longer upper control arm to help correct the alignment issue with the tires. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10382328, filed 2011-02
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Stalling, hesitation and poor running when cold

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 9,284 mi at 1.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2015

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or shuddering shortly after start-up in cold weather, hesitating and occasionally bucking while driving, and stalling when pulling away from a stop on an uphill grade. Several owners say the dealer reflashed the computer or replaced the powertrain control module without resolving the problem, and some report the vehicle would not accelerate normally until the ignition was cycled. Reported from very low mileage (under 1,000 miles) up to about 80,000 miles, often in colder temperatures or within the first mile of driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the vehicle cold and let it idle for a few minutes, watching for rough running or stalling, then test acceleration from a stop. Ask whether any computer reflashes or module replacements were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2007 Mazda 5. This is a decent car but at colder temperatures the vehicle will stall and shutter about 1-3 minutes after start up. The colder it gets and the more miles that the car gets on it the more often this occurs. The dealership told me that this is a common issue and that Mazda has told them to flash again the computer. That was done and did not fix the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10192830, filed 2007-06, 1,200 miles

   “We purchased our 2007, Mazda 5 new in jan. 2007 from a local dealership. At a little over 9,000 miles the car began to hesitate and we returned to the dealership for the first service to fix the problem. To fast forward, here we are dec. 31st, 2011 and now we are dealing with not only hesitation and stalling, but now the car actually bucks while driving it only adding to the dangers of driving it. This is a well documented problem as we have continued to return it the same dealership each time only to be told it was fixed . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10441946, filed 2011-12, 9,284 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Sliding doors not latching or opening on their own

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 10.7 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe sliding doors that fail to latch when closed, doors that slide open after the car is driven away, and a door-ajar light staying on when the door appears closed. One complaint links the problem to water getting into the latch mechanism and freezing in cold weather, after which the door relatches only once the ice melts. Others report intermittent key fob lock and unlock problems. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 95,000 miles, with several reports in cold weather or after a car wash.

   What to check: Open and close both sliding doors several times and check that they latch firmly and the door-ajar light goes out, and try the power locks and key fob. In cold climates, ask whether the latches have been cleaned or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The sliding doors seem to be frozen and they will not latch properly. One day while my daughters were in the car with me the doors slid open after I drove away and they thought they had closed the doors. The other two days the door did not slide open but the light indicated the door was open but we hadn't used the doors we only unlocked them.”

   NHTSA complaint #11071682, filed 2018-02, 75,000 miles

   “Referring to a december 18, 2006 recall NHTSA campaign id number: 06v463000. Regarding a problem with the sliding door coming open when driving during cold weather. My vehicle has this problem which is gradually becoming worse as time goes by. Mazda says my VIN # was not included so they will not fix it under the recall. If that is the case and they were aware of the problem when my vehicle was manufactured, am I not correct in assuming that this modification should have be rectified before the vehicle was sold. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10937515, filed 2016-12, 95,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the electric power steering, rear suspension and rear tire wear is worthwhile on this model year, since those are the most frequently reported areas. Confirm whether recall 10V374000 was completed for the specific vehicle identification number, and check service records for steering and suspension work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.