Mazda recalls 215,000 cars in U.S. over power steering concerns

Japanese carmaker Mazda Motor Corp recalled 215,000 vehicles over possible loss of power steering, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said.

The recall applies to 2007-2009 model year versions of Mazda3 and Mazda5 vehicles manufactured from April 2007 through November 2008, NHTSA said. The vehicles were imported from Japan and sold in the United States.

Mazda’s joint venture in China also announced last week that it recalled 10,691 vehicles imported from Japan over similar problems.

Tests on these vehicles suggested that rust in the hydraulic pumps for power steering could lead to a sudden loss of power steering while driving the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash, Kyodo News reported Wednesday citing the NHTSA.