NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 67 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 owner complaints

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5, describing incidents dated May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2024.

Most-cited components

Steering 37 complaints
Suspension 9 complaints
Tires 7 complaints
Structure 5 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints

Of the 67 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 67 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11586233 · Filed April 30, 2024
Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation Also vibration in the steering wheel, and when I mean, the steering logs…
ODI #11449859 · Filed February 2, 2022
Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation even more dangerous. The Mazda 5 is available for inspection upon…
ODI #11431413 · Filed September 1, 2021
We bought 4 of these tires 1/23/2018. The first failed within 3 months (passenger rear). The tire distributor no longer carried them, so we fit the next best ... a different Primewell. Now, the driver side front tire has developed a bulge where the tread and sidewall meet - similar to the first…

Read all 67 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Mazda MAZDA5 mileage at failure

60 of the 67 complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Steering	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–55,000 miles	Based on 33 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE10-021: Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
Closed November 29, 2010
- Recall 10V-374

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST

NHTSA #10V374000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 12, 2010 · MAZDA MOTOR CORP

Potentially affected: 215,000 vehicles

Mazda campaign 6010H · Owners notified September 15, 2010 · Vehicles built April 2, 2007 – November 30, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

Safety consequence

POWER STEERING ASSIST IS SUDDENLY LOST REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AS TYPICALLY EXPECTED, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS

NHTSA #09E011000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2009 · THULE, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,323 vehicles

Owners notified April 17, 2009

Defect description

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2008 Mazda5 5-DR. Hatchback w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

67 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5.

Steering; Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #11586233

Incident: April 30, 2024 · Filed: April 30, 2024

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation Also vibration in the steering wheel, and when I mean, the steering logs all the way up it locks all the way up, likes flicker and go out, but then it goes away after a few moments

Steering

ODI #11449859

Incident: January 17, 2022 · Filed: February 2, 2022

Mazda 5 power steering system fails intermittently. The power steering light comes on and steering becomes extremely difficult to steer. Occasionally, the check engine comes on as well and the engine stalls making the situation even more dangerous. The Mazda 5 is available for inspection upon request. My daughters life was put at risk when the steering fails intermittently potentially causing damage to the car, other vehicles, and injury or death of pedestrians. The car has not been repaired or inspected at this point. There is no warning before the power steering fails. The power steering indicator light is illuminated and occasionally also the check engine light when the power steering failure causes the engine to stall as well. The first occurrence of the issue was January 17, 2022, while my daughter was driving the vehicle. The vehicle recall history shows the power steering had been repaired previously for the same issue.

Tires

ODI #11431413

Incident: August 28, 2021 · Filed: September 1, 2021

We bought 4 of these tires 1/23/2018. The first failed within 3 months (passenger rear). The tire distributor no longer carried them, so we fit the next best ... a different Primewell. Now, the driver side front tire has developed a bulge where the tread and sidewall meet - similar to the first failure. We cannot drive it and - still - the distributor no longer carries THAT tire. We have - as of 9/1/2021 driven the car a TOTAL of less than 14,000 miles since the purchase. The 50K warranty was ignored in the first failure; and we have been told that it is irrelevant in this second one. The size is 205/50R17 for both - all four. Both tires were continuously losing air and had to start carrying a portable air pump. Just noticed this weekend that the driver side tire was ONCE AGAIN low on air. When I went to fill it, noticed the bulge. Do not know hoe long ot has been there ... just noticed it this weekend.

Steering

ODI #11242105

Incident: July 8, 2019 · Filed: August 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LOST CONTROL AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-2284518588. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,889.

Air Bags

ODI #11208333

Incident: May 17, 2019 · Filed: May 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11103068

Incident: June 19, 2018 · Filed: June 21, 2018

I BOUGHT 4 KUMHO TIRES SIZED 205 50R17 FOR THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. IN AUGUST OF 2017, AT ABOUT 25000 MILES ON THE TIRES, ONE OF THEM DEVELOPED WHAT WE LATER LEARNED WAS A BELT SEPARATION. THE SYMPTOMS WERE A SEVERE VIBRATION, AND SEVERE PULL. WE REPLACED TWO OF THE TIRES. 10 MONTHS LATER THE CAR DEVELOPED EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ANOTHER OF THE TIRES HAD A BELT SEPARATION. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. I CALLED KUMHO TO REPORT THE ISSUE, AS THEY CLEARLY HAD A BAD RUN OF TIRES FOR ME TO HAVE TO OUT OF ONE SET. THE PERSON ANSWERING THE PHONE (WARRANTY DEPARTMENT) INSISTED THAT 'BELT SEPARATIONS ARE COMMON', THAT THE RECENT RECALL WAS A "VOLUNTARY RECALL BECAUSE THE ENGINEERS JUST WANTED TO SEE THE TIRES'. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN THEIR SAFETY OR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS. SHE SAID "WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE LIKE THAT".

Steering

ODI #11093335

Incident: April 20, 2018 · Filed: May 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Suspension; Power Train; Electrical System; Wheels; Engine

ODI #11005668

Incident: May 1, 2017 · Filed: August 23, 2017

2008 MAZDA 5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS AND THE OIL ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE WHEEL RIMS CORRODED INTERNALLY, ALLOWING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. UPDATED 08/23/2017*JS

Steering

ODI #10983817

Incident: May 1, 2017 · Filed: May 6, 2017

STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STEERING GETS HEAVY

Structure

ODI #10944381

Incident: January 9, 2017 · Filed: January 11, 2017

REAR SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES THEY OPEN FINE AND THEN WILL NOT CLOSE, MEANING THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND CAN COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT LOCK OR ALLOW SETTING THE ALARM FUNCTION WHEN PARKING. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE COLD,HAVING TWO KIDS THAT RIDE IN THE BACK MY DOORS SHOULD NO COME OPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Other Mazda MAZDA5 model years

Check your 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 VIN

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