We had our rack and pinion steering replaced at the Mazda dealer on November 20, 2018 due to clonking in the steering rack. My son is reporting that the clonking and steering is much worse when sitting still and turning the steering wheel and when making right and left hand turns while driving. He also said that the car doesn't want to steer straight on the freeway. I replaced the front pads and rotors and front struts in 2018 as well. I inspected the struts and brakes and suspension today and found them to be in excellent condition. I find that the rack and pinion is defective.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Steering "clunks" when turning left or right, and metallic "clanks" are heard on driver's side under dash when going over bumps. Took car to local Mazda dealership, who diagnosed "bad steering gear" and stated "this car is unsafe to drive." Repair bill is $1,200. Looking online, multiple Mazda2 owners have reported the same problem. Dealer is currently repairing vehicle.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

I purchased this Mazda 2 new in January 2012. Sept 2014 I noticed the steering binding and making noise. Dealership diagnosed as rack and pinion assembly defective. A year later Sept of 2015 the symptoms happened again, and assembly is replaced again. Now September 2017 the unit had gone bad again and dealership advised assembly needs replaced. I have had all work done at Mazda dealership. When I contacted Mazda about this issue I never received a response. Dealership was also to talk to Mazda tech support and again nothing. Three rack and pinion units in 5 years seems to indicate a problem. I have 51,000 miles on the car. I drive back and forth to work and to the Y.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda 2. while the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the mechanic diagnosed that the steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact spoke with an unknown dealer in bristol, tn, but did not remember what was stated. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed the same failure. The contact spoke with bill gatton Mazda of johnson city (2909 N roan St, johnson city, tn 37601) who stated that they did not know anything about the steering gear being defective. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to speak with NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

- Bristol, VA, USA

At low speed driving a clunking noise could be felt in the steering. On 11-20-2015 the local Mazda dealer diagnosis showed a failure in the electrical power steering unit and it had to be replaced at considerable expense. Dealer advised that no tsb was issued and since the warranty had expired it was my responsibility to pay for the repair. It seems to me that a failure in the electrical power assist unit is a serious, if not dangerous, condition that should cause the NHTSA to order a recall of the 2011 Mazda 2 to make sure the vehicles are road worthy and safe. Ref: Roger beasley Mazda, georgetown, tx invoice: 160299 dated 11-20-2015.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

At low speeds steering has a clunking feel. Makes driver feel like steering is loose.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

Turning the steering wheel at low speeds cause a bumping sound in steering, it can be felt. The steering rack has been replaced. The problem has not been fixed. The problem started at about 50000 miles and the car has 115000 miles.

- Angier, NC, USA

When speeds under 20mph the steering rack rattles. Currently there is a tsb for the repair to replace the rack and pinion.

- Haysville, KS, USA