2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
328
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
53
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 328 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. 53 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (38 complaints), Engine (32 complaints), and Exterior Lighting (31 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 580,455 vehicles.
Recall 16V644000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
| 580,455 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3
328 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The vehicle was transported from the east to Texas, and the vehicle was bought used. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky and that a gap was between the instrument panel and cover. The contact stated that a small to medium bubble had started to form. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
The car leaks gas when the tank is full and if the car is inclined slightly. I've noticed the problem several month ago with an occasional odor but finally saw the gas leaking recently when it was parked on a sloped street.
The brake pedal is soft and sometimes unresponsive unless it is pumped repeatedly. There have been several times where I have been concerned if I would come to a complete stop. I have had both sets of brake pads replaced in the last year, and have on driven 9,000 miles. Two independent service centers diagnosed the problem as a faulty master cylinder. However, upon replacing the master cylinder and doing three brake flushes, and inspecting my brake pads and calipers, the problem persisted and is unresolved. They directed me to order a new ABS module, believing that that is the only other part that could be causing the cars brake problems. This part (BFY1437AZCO) is on backorder until November 2025.
The Seat Lifter on the driver's side seat frame broke, the metal has a clear stress fracture right near the bracket where the frame connects to the rail. This is the same part that was recalled in the 2010 and 2011 Models by Mazda in 2017. NHTSA Campaign No. 17V-082 It causes the driver side seat to change positions while driving creating hazardous conditions and does not appear structurally stable if involved in an accident potentially putting the driver's life at risk.
Our fuel tank is leaking for no reason. Brought it in last year (2024) for state inspections and let them know we smell gas when we park sometimes. They poke around and find nothing, but note there is a faint gas smell and to bring it to the dealer. We take it to Mazda to see if they can fix, they find nothing and charge my wife $250. Fast-forward to a year later, go for the same state inspection and we get failed. Our mechanic says theres a noticeable gas leak from the fuel tank and to take it to Mazda. There is clearly some issue with the fuel tank parts. The car itself only has 77k miles and it is 13 years old.
Safety Rating for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3
Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 53 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SSP99_SSPA9 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SSP99 - 2010 MAZDA3 - DASHBOARD UPPER PANEL STICKY SURFACE: For certain 2010 Mazda3 vehicles, the warranty coverage for dashboard replacement for sticky surface condition only is extended to 10 years (120 months) from the original Warranty Start Date, with no mileage limitations. Any other condition for dashboard replacement, such...
05-003-20-3725 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Some vehicles may experience the check engine light and automatic transaxle warning light ON with one or more of these DTCs stored in the TCM memory (P0842, P0847, P0872, P0877, P0780, P1738). This is caused by the oil pressure switch A and/or B at the control valve body temporarily or...
01-012-19-3612 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Some vehicles may experience the Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0300:00, P0301:00, P0302:00, P0303:00 and/or P0304:00 stored in memory. P0300:00: Random misfire detected, P0301:00: Cylinder No.1 misfire detected, P0302:00: Cylinder No.2 misfire detected, P0303:00: Cylinder No.3 misfire detected, P0304:00: Cylinder No.4 misfire detected. Carbon may be deposited around the...
SA-037-18 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Service part Automatic Transaxles (ATX) manufactured on or after July, 2018 are shipped with a blank TCM that requires configuration.
SSPA0 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2009-2013 Mazda6 Dashboard Upper Panel (Crash Pad) Sticky Surface Warranty Extension Program ? Special Service Program (SSP) A0 - Mazda has now opened Warranty Extension SSPA0 to subject vehicles in all states. On April 23, 2018 parts available notification letters will be sent to 160,686 affected owners. This is a...
05-001-18-3453 — EQUIPMENT
Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF. Using the wrong ATF may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the transmission. NOTE: ATF M-V (TYPE M5) IS NOT THE SAME FLUID AS MERCON®V OR MERCON®LV ATF. ATF M-V (TYPE M5) HAS A GREATER...
SA289 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
IF YOU ENCOUNTER THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS STAYING ON AFTER A DASH REPAIR, YOU MAY HAVE CROSSED THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH CONNECTOR WITH ANOTHER CONNECTOR, SUCH AS THE BLUETOOTH MICROPHONE CONNECTOR. THE TWO CONNECTORS HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF PINS.
0800116 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination
05-002-15-3019F — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE WARNING LIGHT ON WITH ONE OR MORE OF THESE DTCS STORED IN THE TCM MEMORY (P0842, P0847, P0872, P0877, P0780, P1738). P0842:00 - OIL PRESSURE SWITCH NO. 1 (OIL PRESSURE SWITCH B) STUCK ON P0847:00 - OIL...
05-002-15-3019F — ENGINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE WARNING LIGHT ON WITH ONE OR MORE OF THESE DTCS STORED IN THE TCM MEMORY (P0842, P0847, P0872, P0877, P0780, P1738). P0842:00 - OIL PRESSURE SWITCH NO. 1 (OIL PRESSURE SWITCH B) STUCK ON P0847:00 - OIL...
Showing 10 of 53 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3
- 2007 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 301 complaints
- 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 387 complaints
- 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 140 complaints
- 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 918 complaints
- 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 179 complaints
- 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 (current)
- 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 176 complaints
- 2014 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 174 complaints
- 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 152 complaints
- 2016 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 136 complaints
- 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 104 complaints
Other MAZDA Models
- MAZDA 626 — 3,877 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-5 — 3,005 total complaints
- MAZDA MAZDA6 — 2,906 total complaints
- MAZDA TRIBUTE — 2,830 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-9 — 1,786 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-7 — 1,539 total complaints
- MAZDA PROTEGE — 1,377 total complaints
- MAZDA MPV — 1,156 total complaints