2009 Mazda MAZDA5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two dominant themes: sudden loss of power steering assist while driving, often resolved temporarily by restarting the engine, and repeated tire/tire-pressure sensor valve failures, frequently involving corrosion or breakage of the valve stem. Suspension noise and premature tire wear on the inner or outer edges are also commonly described, along with a smaller set of electrical and door-latch complaints.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out while driving

   • 16 complaints (25%)
   • median 17,500 mi at 1.7 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2022

   Owners describe the power steering warning light coming on and the wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes in slow traffic. Several report that stopping and restarting the engine restores normal steering, and that the problem then returns intermittently. Complaints mention dealers replacing the power steering pump and related piping in some cases, saying they could not reproduce the fault in others, and citing part shortages after recall notices. Mostly reported between roughly 6,000 and 30,000 miles, with some instances later in life; several occur at speed on freeways or in heavy traffic.

   Recall 10V374000

   What to check: Ask whether the electric power steering recall repair was completed for this vehicle's VIN, and whether the steering pump or assist components have been replaced. A test drive that includes low-speed maneuvering and a highway stretch is reasonable.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving 10 to 20 MPH power steering fails followed by all electronics flashing and then by car engine dying. Control of car is very difficult and dangerous. Power steering has failed about 20 times engine failure about 10 times. Dealer told me they found hits on the onboard computer, were able to repeat the problem and eventually tracked it down to the power steering. But have failed to find a problem. They now deny all of this. I question if the car is safe.”

   NHTSA complaint #10318049, filed 2010-03, 500 miles

   “1. Was driving my 2009 MAZDA5 in new york city in heavy traffic. As I as getting onto the lincoln tunnel I noticed my power steering had failed and the warning light was on. As I was in heavy traffic in the tunnel I had to drive until I could get to a less congested area. After stopping I turned the car off to call the dealer. When I restarted the car the power steering had returned. 2: occurred just once. 3. I took the car to a dealer the next day, am still waiting for resolution.”

   NHTSA complaint #10332420, filed 2010-05, 30,100 miles
2. 2
   Tires

   TPMS valve stems crack or break, sudden tire deflation

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2017

   Owners describe the tire pressure light coming on and a valve stem found cracked or corroded, sometimes snapping off while airing up a tire and letting it deflate almost instantly. Complaints mention the sensor nut or stem corroding, and that service shops or dealers replaced the stem or sensor, sometimes charging for the repair and sometimes installing a non-sensor valve. Typically reported between about 20,000 and 85,000 miles, often noticed during routine pressure checks or while driving at highway speed.

   What to check: Have the valve stems and TPMS sensors inspected for corrosion or cracks, and ask whether any have been replaced. Checking tire pressures and watching for slow leaks is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tpms sensor-valve failure: I was driving to work going about 40 MPH when TPMS light went on. I could not pull off immediately because of road conditions. Shortly after that I could hear the sound of a very flat tire. When I managed to pull off and check the tires, one was completely flat. Tire was too damaged to re-inflate. The relatively new tire and the TPMS sensor had to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10476763, filed 2012-09, 48,000 miles

   “Tpms sensor-valve slow leak: four new tires (pirelli p6 four seasons) installed at Mazda dealer on jan 2011. The original TPMS sensor-valves where used on the new tires. After that the TPMS warning light would go on every couple of weeks. I would check the pressure in all the tires using a digital gauge which showed slightly low pressure (high 20?s PSI) in one tire, the same tire each time. I would inflate the tire to the correct pressure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10476761, filed 2012-09, 48,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Uneven tire wear on inner or outer edges

   • 8 complaints (13%)
   • median 34,300 mi at 2.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2012

   Owners report tires wearing out prematurely on the inner or outer edges despite alignment and rotation, with some told the rear camber is out of range and cannot be adjusted without additional parts. Complaints describe replacing full sets of tires well before expected and finding the inner sidewall worn away on inspection. Mostly described in the 30,000 to 70,000 mile range, often noticed at tire replacement or alignment appointments.

   What to check: Ask for an alignment printout, especially rear camber values, and look at the inner and outer edges of all four tires rather than just tread depth in the center.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On dec.8,2011, I was driving eastbound on interstate hwy 167., the rear end of the vehicle on the passenger side had gone flat. I was able to get on the auxiliary road without getting into an accident. I inspected the tire and could not find any holes. I used a portable tire inflater and drove approximately 1/4 mile to a tire repair station. The tire was removed and upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the entire inner side of the tire had been worn off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10439224, filed 2011-12, 31,600 miles

   “I purchased a used 2009 MAZDA5 knowing that it needed tires. After buying new tires I had the car aligned. I was told the alignment was within spec despite the fact that the rear camber was set in such a manner that the tires shop said I'd be lucky to get 15,000 miles out of my new tires. I was also informed that there was no adjustment for rear camber without buying a $600 camber kit. I took it to the dealer, assuming they had more experience with the car, but was told the same thing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10487395, filed 2012-12, 48,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Clunking or rattling from suspension, shock seepage

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe clunking over uneven surfaces, worse in cold weather, traced to sway bar bushings, and rear struts or shocks replaced at low mileage only to make noise again later. Other complaints mention a rattling from the rear traced to a rubber seat bushing, and signs of oil on struts that a service bulletin says is often normal seepage. Reported from about 20,000 miles upward, often in cold weather and on rough roads.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive over uneven pavement with the radio off and listen for clunks from the front and rear. Ask for service records on struts, shocks and sway bar bushings, and have any oil misting on the struts inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Kept hearing a rattling noise coming from rear driver's side, took the car in two times b/c of this. Turned out to be a problem with the rear seat rubber bushing which is requiring the dealer to grind the arch weld on the spring coil. There is a service bulletin about this very problem, which indicated that they have redesigned the parts in newer models so this does not happen. I feel that this is a design problem for which I have to pay for the repair and that it is not due to normal wear and tear on the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10585405, filed 2014-04, 50,000 miles

   “Loud clunking noise in left/front over uneven surface. Worse during cold weather. Checked by independent dealer then by Mazda dealership. Told sway bar bushings were the problem. Car was under warranty at time of initial complaint, but technician was unable to hear it. [bushing warm by the time I got to dealer]. Claim made to Mazda to repair under warranty but was declined. Internet search shows this to be a known problem on this model.”

   NHTSA complaint #10501829, filed 2013-03, 22,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Battery drain and electrical faults, doors locking

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report dead batteries, sudden loss of power while driving including loss of power steering assist, and an alarm sounding repeatedly with no obvious trigger. Complaints also describe doors that will not unlock from inside, and sliding doors that cannot be opened manually when the vehicle has no power, which owners say they would want to know about in an emergency. Described from roughly 70,000 miles upward, often traced to battery condition, wiring or aftermarket accessories rather than a single part.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about battery age and any history of no-start or dead-battery events, and whether aftermarket electronics were installed. Test the locks and sliding doors from inside and outside, and confirm the manual door release works.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In this case I left my lights on causing the battery to run down. The problem with this car is when there is no power it is impossible to open the rear sliding doors or tailgate. Only the driver's door opens with a key and you cannot open the rear doors from the inside without power. In the event of an accident that disables the power system these doors cannot be opened and passengers (especially children who are in safety seats) can be trapped. There are 3 rows of 2 bucket seats per row. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10508281, filed 2013-04, 70,000 miles

   “Intermittently, the doors will not unlock when inside the vehicle, effectively trapping the occupants inside. Additionally, the locks will fail to lock or lock with either the key or the remote fob. trapping occupants inside or prohibiting someone on the outside from getting in to retrieve children inside.”

   NHTSA complaint #11434463, filed 2021-09

Buying note. Check the power steering recall status and do a thorough test drive for steering assist dropouts, then inspect the valve stems, tire wear and bushings closely. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the underside and suspension is reasonable, since several of the frequently reported items are visible and inexpensive to catch early.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.