2009 Mazda3 recalled over stability control software concern
If you own a 2009 Mazda3 with stability control, you may need to schedule some time at the local Mazda store for repairs. Mazda is recalling 7,100 2009 models for a problem with its Dynamic Stability Control system that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says is not in compliance with federal motor safety standards. NHTSA says the issue is that "the yaw rate measured after completion of the sine with dwell steering input exceeded the test standards." Sounds complicated.
Mazda hasn't yet given a timetable for owner notification, but 2009 Mazda3 owners can call 1-800-222-5500 to see if their vehicle is affected by the recall. Any Mazda dealership will be able to inspect and replace the stability control system free of charge. Hit the jump to read the official NHTSA press release.
[Source: NHTSA]
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Make / Model: MAZDA / MAZDA3 Model Year(s): 2009
Manufacturer: MAZDA MOTOR CORP Mfr's Report Date: MAY 22, 2009
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 7100
Summary:
MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,100 MY 2009 MAZDA3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM". THE YAW RATE MEASURED AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SINE WITH DWELL STEERING INPUT EXCEEDED THE TEST STANDARDS.
Consequence:
IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE UNIT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Notes:
MAZDA RECALL NO. 5509E. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PJ 6:07PM (6/02/2009)
Still looks more "stable" than the 2010 model...
"EEEEEEEEEEEEE I'M IN SUCH A GOOD MOOD!!!"
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tankd0g 6:11PM (6/02/2009)
I hope it's to install a bigger off button.
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Bob-omb 6:19PM (6/02/2009)
Sounds like it kicks in too late or not effectively enough.
Now cue the 5000 comments about how stability control is stupid. Which is what people said about airbags in the 80s.
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tankd0g 6:23PM (6/02/2009)
Airbags rarely interfere with my driving :)
Tam 6:20PM (6/02/2009)
Whew, good thing my Speed 3 is a 2008.5.
Still, I'd better turn off DSC, just to be safe. :-)
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Kiiks 6:26PM (6/02/2009)
The complicated wording probably just means "you can hang it loose longer than we'd like it to before it kicks in" but they didn't write that because then nobody would bring their 3's in.
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Kiiks 6:27PM (6/02/2009)
And you know I'm right, I know you Mazda types. ;)
rmcclo 5:24PM (7/12/2009)
You can check out the proposed standard: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Rulemaking/Rules/Associated%20Files/ESC_PRIA.pdf
I assume the final standard resembles it. Might find it interesting if you're into stability and controls. The "Sine with Dwell maneuver," appears to be pretty much jacking the wheel one way, then the other in a sine wave, hanging on at the bottom-most part of the wave for a little while (dwell) before neutralizing the steering. Not a professional driver, but looks like the Scandinavian flick to me.
I haven't read into it a lot, but I'd gather the control system is designed to damp out the yaw rate within a certain amount of time, and this one didn't.
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Andi Baritchi 6:53PM (6/02/2009)
The sine & dwell test is a Finnish Flick. So the fact that it failed this test means you can flick the car sideways even with the active nannies turned on. For your *average* driver, this is not a good thing.
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Rich 7:37PM (6/02/2009)
Why? The average driver wouldn't push a car to the limits of traction.
Andi Baritchi 7:44PM (6/02/2009)
Rich--
The average driver's cluelessness as to the limits of adhesion is exactly what causes him or her to unwittingly exceed these limits. Say they need to make an evasive maneuver to swerve around something.. motion 1) sharp swerve in one direction, motion 2) sharp swerve back to re-correct into original vector. Except average driver didn't realize he or she just performed a Finnish flick. Oops.
An experienced driver, when performing an evasive swerve, does the second correction smoothly to avoid the oversteer.....
Kitko 8:16PM (6/02/2009)
Rich, it's not about what an average driver would or would not do with a car.
It's about what a driver might be forced to do by in an emergency situation that occurs independently of his/her will. Sometimes not even professional driver could keep the car on the road.
You could pay attention, keep distance, but there are situation where you'd lose the car without DSC.
Tyler 7:21PM (6/02/2009)
Why is there recalls every week lately?
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zamafir 9:17PM (6/02/2009)
there always are, autoblogs just reporting em like crazy because postings are down
craig 7:26PM (6/02/2009)
i own a 2009 mazdaspeed, is that part of the recall?
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D 8:25PM (6/02/2009)
"If you own a 2009 Mazda3 with stability control, you may need to schedule some time at the local Mazda store for repairs."
i didn't know mazda had stores, i thought they were called dealers
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BigWill 9:51PM (6/02/2009)
"the yaw rate measured after completion of the sine with dwell steering input exceeded the test standards."
And they ONLY just noticed that? What dorks.
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RemusRM 11:41PM (6/02/2009)
I can say i did experience this problem while on 2 highway LA Crest. In a corner the DSC came in too abruptly and almost spin me out... I do think it kicks in too late and needs a firm hold of the wheel. I do not have my 09 anymore since was killing me on gas 17/21 on premium? no thanks
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knightuc1992 6:59AM (6/03/2009)
The average driver's cluelessness as to the limits of adhesion is exactly what causes him or her to unwittingly exceed these limits.
The average driver's cluelessness as how to operate a vehicle without the use of any electronic gizmos (cell phones, IPods, etc.) is exactly what causes him or her to cause problems out on the road - period.
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ih8gm 9:25AM (6/03/2009)
I love it when the ford recycle bin has problems. ESC is a very important safety device. What else is wrong with the car? Sear belts down work in emergency situtations? The brakes dont work? Tires blow out at 5k? LMFAO @ Mazda...oh yah and that whole ZoomZoom crap got old about 5 yrs ago
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