Two Mazda models recalled across Australia due to concerns of ‘injury or death’

A popular car is being recalled because of a manufacturing fault that affects the steering and could put drivers on the road at risk.

Two Mazda car models have been recalled across Australia due to safety concerns that affect how the vehicle safely steers on the roads.

The national Department of Transport issued a recall on Tuesday of the CX-60 and the CX-90 car models, along with all variants of the two vehicles.

“Due to a manufacturing defect, the gear set within the power steering assembly may not operate as intended,” the announcement said.

“As a result, the driver could experience unexpected increased steering effort.”

The Department of Transport believed this could increase the risk of an accident that could lead to “injury or death” to drivers and others on the road.

The Mazda CX-60, one of the two models affected. Picture: Mazda

A Mazda Australia representative said the defect was due to the meshing load between the gears being improperly set in the power steering gear box, meaning grease escapes the area and increases friction in the steering.

“This problem will not cause the components involved to fail,” they added, and said the vehicle could still operate in this condition.

The Department of Transport said owners will be contacted by Mazda Australia and asked to bring their vehicle in to a dealership for a free repair. Mazda Australia estimated this repair would take less than an hour.

The Mazda CX-90. Both of these models came into production in 2023. Picture: Mazda

The company said it believed there was only a low risk of this defect causing an accident. “There is no risk that this will result in a fire,” they added.

Mazda Australia said there was no need to be concerned of this defect being repeated in other models, due to different specifications.

Originally published as Two Mazda models recalled across Australia due to concerns of ‘injury or death’