NHTSA Complaint #10442620 — 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 48 MPH, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. A STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V374000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12