NHTSA Complaint #10172157 — 2006 MAZDA MAZDA5

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 08/16/06, THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. ON 10/21/06, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, ARM AND HEAD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED, AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT WERE TAKEN.*AK UPDATED 11/17/06. *JB