Investigations
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10021 - closed, opened 2010-06-28.
NHTSA investigation PE10021 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-06-28 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-11-29 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE10021 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS). The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles. Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanie..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
The subject vehicles have electro-hydraulic power assist steering (EHPAS). The complaint counts shown above alleged a loss of power steering assist in the subject vehicles. Usually, but not always, the loss is accompanied by the simultaneous lighting of an indicator light on the dash. The complaints include 14 alleged crashes involving 6 injuries. On Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2, 2007 through November 30, 2008, rust may have formed inside the EPAS high-pressure pipe during manufacture due to improper processing. If the rust is present it may damage the power steering pump bearings leading to an increased load on the electric motor; this results in an elevated operating temperature for the EPAS system. To prevent excessive overheating of the system, which could potentially cause permanent damage, a failsafe mode which de-powers the electric pump is implemented. This causes a loss of power assist making it more difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower vehicle speeds. Once the failsafe is implemented the EPAS system will remain disabled until the ignition is turned off. However EPAS will be re-enabled if the operating temperature is reduced (i.e., within an acceptable range) on a subsequent drive cycle. On August 8, 2010 Mazda submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 10V-374 to remedy the subject vehicles. The report, which contains additional details on the remedy repair, is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/. ODI notes that the affected population shown in that report includes approximately 8,000 vehicles Mazda repaired prior to initiating the recall.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.