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Mazda

2012 Mazda MAZDA2

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 has 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 mazda2. the contact stated that the brake and accelerator pedals were design too close together. the contact's foot was caught between the brake and accelerator pedal several times while attempting to resume acceleration. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manuf.

13

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

3 complaints
23%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DESIGN TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESUME ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUF
  • • I PURCHASED A MAZDA2 ON APRIL30TH 2012. AT APPROXIMATELY 850 MILES, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT (TOWSON MAZDA), BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY EVERY 5,000
  • • STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. HOWEVER, ON 4/30/2020 UPON TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH WENT OUT AND SWERVED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE RAMP BARRIERS AND FORTUNATELY MADE IT ONTO A SHOULDER WITH OUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING A BARR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DESIGN TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESUME ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

3 complaints
23%
  • • AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS ON. AND THE DEALER TRYIN TO FIX I
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS ON. AND THE DEALER TRYIN TO FIX I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

2 complaints
15%
  • • MY 2012 MAZDA HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2013 WHEN IT HAD 35,570 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A RENTAL-CAR SALE LOT, I NOTICED A SLIGHT "HITCH" IN THE STEERING IF THE WHEELS WERE TURNED FAR TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. BUT THE ANOMALY WAS VERY SLIGHT AND THE
  • • STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. HOWEVER, ON 4/30/2020 UPON TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH WENT OUT AND SWERVED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE RAMP BARRIERS AND FORTUNATELY MADE IT ONTO A SHOULDER WITH OUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING A BARR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY 2012 MAZDA HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2013 WHEN IT HAD 35,570 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A RENTAL-CAR SALE LOT, I NOTICED A SLIGHT "HITCH" IN THE STEERING IF THE WHEELS WERE TURNED FAR TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. BUT THE ANOMALY WAS VERY SLIGHT AND THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints
8%
  • • I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaints
8%
  • • I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 13 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DESIGN TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESUME ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUF

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS ON. AND THE DEALER TRYIN TO FIX I

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    STEERING: MY 2012 MAZDA HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2013 WHEN IT HAD 35,570 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A RENTAL-CAR SALE LOT, I NOTICED A SLIGHT "HITCH" IN THE STEERING IF THE WHEELS WERE TURNED FAR TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. BUT THE ANOMALY WAS VERY SLIGHT AND THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Mazda MAZDA2 — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2014
15Excellent Reliability
2013
15Excellent Reliability
2012
13Excellent Reliability
2011
17Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Mazda MAZDA2

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