2008 Mazda Mazda5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (35) · Tires (5) · Visibility (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mazda5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
60 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2010-08-12 · campaign 10V374000 · 215,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (221)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-055-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
product quality information (pqi) description service information mt-041/12 is no longer valid. it has been unpublished and superseded by the field quality information report (fqir) reporting system.
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Electrical System 2025-12-17 · SA-061-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. below
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-10 · 07-004-25a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Showing the 6 most recent of 221 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-04-30 · Steering“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 fli…”
2022-02-02 · Steering“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 s…”
2021-09-01 · Tires:tread/Belt“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 distribu…”
2019-08-06 · Steering · 179,889 mi“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.…”
2019-05-17 · Air Bags · 149,000 mi“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. …”
2018-06-21 · Wheels · 162,000 mi“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 i…”
2018-05-11 · Steering · 141,000 mi“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. …”
2017-08-23 · Wheels:rim“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 …”
2017-05-06 · Steering“steering warning light comes on steering gets heavy…”
2017-01-11 · Structure:body · 130,000 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.