2012 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 226 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 6, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
226 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Jul 13, 2022
Exactly as described in safety recall "2014-2016 Mazda3 and 2014-2015 Mazda6 Hand-Operated Parking Brake Concern Safety Recall 1217F NHTSA Campaign No. 17V-393" both of the rear caliper parking brakes have corroded and become stuck causing the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place when engaged. The problem has not been inspected or confirmed by any 3rd parties. I currently have 1 of the calipers that failed but will need to return it for a core charge refund. No error or warnings were presented, but noticed the parking brake becoming less effective and eventually not effective at all over the course of a few months. the passenger side failed first and was replaced July 2021, the driver side failed over early summer 2022 and needs to be replaced now.
Power train, Jun 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted from 5th gear to 3rd gear with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle started to slide and the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V072000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Steering, Wheels, Lane departure, Mar 5, 2022
I can be turning left from a full stop and a few times almost went up onto the median seperating traffic. The car doesn't keep straight in it's own lane unless i put a lot of pressure with both hands on steering wheel and that doesn't always keep it straight, it veers left and right going down the road. Tire pressure light keeps coming on. when backing up hear like a grinding sound in passenger front tire. I bought this used at a Ford car dealership in June 2021. thats all i can think of right now. This has happened more than once no just one time.
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2022
Headlights flicker when brakes are applied or when slowing down.
Service brakes, Feb 11, 2022
The brakes have to be pressed to the floor in order to break. They were not breaking like normal. The ABS module was deemed faulty and replaced.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2022
When driving at night with exterior lights on, when brake and or gas pedal is pressed the exterior lights strobe/flashes. The Mazda dealership has been contacted about this issue and there is a technician service bulletin stating that the ECM needs to be reflashed/programmed. No recall has been set for this issue and the Mazda dealership stated that I would have to pay $265 out of pocket to have the problem fixed. I believe that because it's a problem with there programming or software that the company should have to issue a safety recall and fix the factory defect. I'm currently in the process of filing a lawsuit against Mazda because of this and I have already filed a complaint with the better business bureau for this issue.
Seats, Jan 4, 2022
Driver seat has become loose and rocks forward in an up and down fashion while driving. Can be rock by hand as well when not sitting in the seat. A prior recall addressed this issue with 2010-2011 Mazda 3's. This is a 2012 that is having the same problem, but the recall does not apply to it. The recall needs to be expanded to included all vehicles experiencing this issue. NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082 Manufacturer Mazda North American Operations Components SEATS Potential Number of Units Affected 173,859
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2021
Dashboard melting and warping causing visibility issues, as well as the dashboard should never be melting. This should be recalled as it is a known and widespread issue.
Service brakes, Nov 5, 2021
Brakes became soft. Needed to pump them to stop the vehicle. My mechanic changed pads, rotors and master cylinder. However, it did not fix the problem. I have read several reports of people complaining about the same issue, likely related to a faulty ABS module. Safety issues should be addresses promptly by reputable manufacturers.
Steering, Oct 13, 2021
my power steering has randomly failed for a second time. It happened once before as I pulled into a store -this time it happened while I was travelling southbound on highway 1 a very curvy road with steep cliffs where the speed limit is 55 so it was very scary when my steering suddenly went to manual steering. Turning the car off and waiting a few minutes seemed to remedy it. I continued to have a check engine light which cleared the next time I turned the car off. The power steering pump is an electric hydraulic pump so no belts involved. No weird noises just sudden scary failure. I researched on Mazda forums and found quite a few others with similar complaints and having spent money on dealers with no resolution. The car has 65k on it. The mfr does not have a change cycle for the fluid and I have verified the fluid clean. I did install a new battery and cleaned the ground on the terminal for the power steering pump as it seemed to help someone else. Mazda of course wants to take it and charge me to diagnose but based on other experiences with the dealer i do not trust them. Here is another person's similar story https://www.mazda3revolution.com/threads/power-steering-failure.108977/#post-1439705
Seats, Oct 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while at a standstill, she heard a popping sound coming from the driver’s side seat resulting in the seat moving and not maintaining an appropriate driving position. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082000 (Seats) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Seats, Sep 24, 2021
Seat height adjustment lifter link has lost the push nut which retained it to the seat rail. Driver seat, left hand front link.
Service brakes, Aug 31, 2021, crash
I was coming up on a car waiting to make a left turn. While attempting to move to the right-hand passing lane, five lights lit up and the power steering went out. The five lights were "Power Steering Malfunction Indicator Light", "TSC/DSC Off Indicator Light", "Security Light", "ABS Warning Light", and "Seatbelt Warning Light" (even though my seat belt was on and buckled). Realizing I could not turn in time, I attempted to stop instead and could not stop in time to avoid striking the other vehicle. There had been no indication of problems with any of the indicated systems prior to this incident. The vehicle is currently in possession of our insurance company, as it was deemed a total loss, and no inspection for defects has been performed.
Air bags, Jul 24, 2021
Passenger airbag off flashing intermittently while driving on roadway
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the automatic trans-axle warning light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred for a second time that day and she was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery cables had detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 85,598.
Structure, Jul 7, 2021
The dashboard on my Mazda3 has popped up and is causing me to be distracted while I drive, and I am concerned that this could have an impact on airbag deployment, as the lifted dash provides an opening to the wiring and airbags within. I became aware yesterday that this is an issue that Mazda tried to remedy by extending their warranty in 2017 for my car model. However, I was never notified, and the warranty has now expired. I spoke with Mazda Corporate (call reference # 1-4144339276) and they would not honor the extended warranty to remedy the issue because the time frame has expired. Had I been notified by Mazda and known that this were an issue, I would have had the dash replaced when the warranty was extended. Mazda did not do their due diligence and notify me of their dashboard issue, and denied their failure to notify me when questioned. This places a concern about the practices of Mazda and caring for the safety of their car buyers.
Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2021
Dashboard is warping creating a gap between the instrument panel and information display. The dashboard was replaced once by the dealer under extended manufacturing warranty. The new dashboard that was installed now have the same issue.
Exterior lighting, May 17, 2021
Using my headlamps at night when I break my headlamps begin to flash, as to dim and brighten I took it into the dealership because it was a recall that my Vin number was not part of. They refused to take care of it without a fee. I reported it to Mazda of North America but because the cars older it falls outside of what they would normally do to take care of it. In short, The braking system causes the headlamps to brighten and dim down. I use country Roads, this could become a hazard. Im concerned it could completely go out at some point and leave me in the dark and create an accident
Seat belts, Seats, Engine, Mar 31, 2021
MOTOR CYLINDER #1 LOW COMPRESSION TOOK IT TO MAZDA THEY COULDNT FIGURE IT OUT AND LESS THAN 20 MILES AFTER THE MOTOR THREW A ROD AT 70,001 MILES TOTAL. CYLINDER 1 WALLS WHERE NOT MADE CORRECTLY
Exterior lighting, Mar 22, 2021
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MASSIVE VOLTAGE DROP WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR LOWERING SPEED. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY/CITY, NIGHTTIME/DAYTIME. THIS LEADS TO ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HEADLIGHTS DIMMING AND FLASHING WHENEVER THE ENGINE SPEED DROPS. THIS OFTEN MEANS AT NIGHTTIME WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS VISIBILITY IS NEARLY ZERO UNTIL THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE ALL FINE WITH INSPECTION. UPON GOOGLING IT, APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND SOFTWARE RELATED.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2021
I RECENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VISIBILITY ISSUES WITH MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SEDAN. IT STARTED WHEN THE PLASTIC INTERIOR ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME "GOOPY" AS IT HEATS UP FROM THE SUN. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE AND HAS LEFT BEHIND A SHINY SURFACE THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF MY DRIVING PERIPHERAL. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS OF MAZDA MAKES/MODELS, BUT NOT MINE. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO AND IT'S BECOMING WORSE MAKING IT SO I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY FRONT WINDSHILD ON BRIGHT, SUNNY DAYS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED IN ANYWAY AS IT AFFECTS MY EVERYDAY LIFE AND IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN IS AT HIGH NOON. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS TO SHOW HOW THE INTERIOR PANEL HAS BECOME NATURALLY. IT'S CURRENTLY A CLOUDY DAY SO THE GLARE ISSUE IS NOT SHOWCASED AS MUCH. I HAVE TEMPORALLY LAID A TAN CLOTH OVER TO REDUCE SOME OF THE GLARE BECAUSE IT'S LESS SHINNY THAN THE MELTED INTERIOR (WHICH SEEMS TO REDUCE THE GLARE PROBLEM BY 50%). THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I HOPE TO HEAR BACK SOON.
Structure, Feb 5, 2021
THE CLEAR COAT WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE LEADING TO EXTENSIVE PAINT LOSS AND CORROSION BEGINNING ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND HOOD. EVENTUALLY THE FAILURE OF THE PAINT WILL LEAD TO RUST AND CORROSION OF THE ROOF AND SUPPORT SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE BODILY HARM IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Structure, Jan 11, 2021
ON THE DASHBOARD IN THE CENTER FRONT WINDSHIELD AREA, PART OF THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE COME DETACHED. THERE IS A LARGE GAP ABOVE THE VENTILATION/RADIO AND IT SEEMS TO CONTINUE PULLING FURTHER AWAY. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS DIRECTLY AFFECTING THE VENTILATION/AIR SYSTEM BUT I WAS HEARING SOME STRANGE NOISES. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE (APPROX. 3+ YEARS) BUT CONTINUES TOO PROGRESSIVELY WORSEN.
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2021
HIGH BEAM LIGHTS BLINK/FLASH WHEN BREAKING LOW BEAM LIGHTS DIM WHEN BREAKING INSTRUMENT LIGHTS DIM SLIGHTLY WHEN BREAKING WITH BOTH CONDITIONS MENTIONED
Exterior lighting, Dec 30, 2020
HEADLAMPS PULSE DURING BRAKING WHILE DECELERATION