Mazda Recall Expands to Australia

The problems Japanese manufacturer Mazda is experiencing with the Electro Hydraulic Power Assist System (EHPAS) of the previous generation Mazda3 model are expending to Australia as well. The carmaker announced today, although it did not call it a recall, that it will begin providing free of charge servicing to all owners of the affected vehicles who need reassurance there's no problem with their cars.

Mazda says the affected vehicles come equipped with a hydraulic power steering system with an electrically motorized oil pump. Leftover particles from the inside of the hydraulic pipes may lead to a loss of steering power assist due to the failure of the electric oil pump.

Drivers might experience a lit power steering malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, although no actual problems will be noticed in the car's behavior. The steering system’s fail safe mode will kick in and, despite a more difficult time during parking and maneuvering in small spaces, the car will remain controllable.

The recall begins in Australia in November 2010, when the carmaker will start announcing its customers. Free of charge, Mazda dealers will clean the steering gear box by flushing all fluid lines with power steering fluid, replace the power steering oil and install a new power steering pipe assembly.

For those experiencing the problem until the fix begins, Mazda has the following advice:

“It is recommended that they present the vehicle to their local Mazda dealer for inspection where the issue will be rectified under the normal warranty repair process.”

For the record, no reports of malfunctioning steering came from Australia.