OTTAWA - Transport Canada says 20,531 Mazda Tribute sports utility vehicles are being recalled to fix a problem that could result in an immediate loss of power steering assistance without warning to the driver.
The government agency says a loss of power assistance would unexpectedly increase the effort required to steer the vehicle at slow speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
It says Mazda dealers will update software in the electronic power steering system that would warn drivers of a failure and allow for the power steering to continue functioning until the end of the drive cycle.
The recall notice, dated May 29, affects the 2008 through 2011 model years of the Mazda Tribute.
Mazda Canada didn't respond Monday to requests for comment.
Ford issued a similar recall notice on Thursday related to 196,000 Explorer SUVs from the 2011 through 2013 model years.
