2008 Mazda MAZDA5: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 67 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (52% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 flicker and go out, but then it goes away after a few moments”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2024
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2019
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2018
“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”Owner report · Engine · May 2017
“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. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2017
“When temperatures drop below freezing, rear sliding doors have difficulty latching to the point where they can't be properly closed. This exact issue is described in recall #06v463000 for which my vehicle's VIN/year is not included. I would like my vehicle to be included in this recall so I can have the issue addressed by the dealer. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2016
“Rear slider doors freeze shut. There is no way to know that this problem is going to occur until it's already an issue. At the same time, the rear slider door latching mechanism freezes in 'open' position. If the door is able to be opened and not closed, the door has to be tied shut with bungees. If the driver does not notice the open door light and the passenger does not notice that the door did not close and latch, the door will slide open when the car is moving. This happened to my driver side door in 2013 and my passenger side door on saturday, december 19th. The 2006 mazda 5 was recalled for this same reason (4306k). *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2016
“Going down the road and all of a sudden it sounds like a rock banging in the rear driver side wheel well. It turns out to be a broken shock mount. This is the second one that has broken. One broke at ~80,000 miles and now this at ~120000. Search the internet and it is a known problem.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 2008 mazda 5. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver heard a bang sound near the front end of the vehicle and pulled over to the side. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames under the hood. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. A police report was filed and the fire department extinguished the fire. The fire department did not know the cause of the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a private tow company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Remedy: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MAZDA5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 reliable?
NHTSA has 67 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5. The most complained-about area is steering (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,750 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Mazda MAZDA5 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:electric power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.