2012 Mazda MAZDA3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 has 328 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (12% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving a steady 55 mph on the freeway on a dry sunny day with my wife and kids. the roads were smooth and dry, and the gas tank was 1/2 full. the car was 3 months old with 2700 miles on it. the car suddenly lost power and started to decelerate. the engine was still running, but pressing t. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 6 crash reports 3 injuries

328

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

4.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

40 complaints

12%

• I WAS DRIVING A STEADY 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY ON A DRY SUNNY DAY WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS. THE ROADS WERE SMOOTH AND DRY, AND THE GAS TANK WAS 1/2 FULL. THE CAR WAS 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 2700 MILES ON IT. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT PRESSING T
• DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT (ON THE FREEWAY) AT APPROXIMATELY 9:45 PM I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE. I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T MOVING ANY FASTER THE ONLY THING I HEARD WAS THE ENGINE GUNNING. THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN IN VERY FAST TRAFFIC AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARDS ON WHILE TRYING
• THE CAR SOMETIMES SURGES DURING DOWNSHIFTING. I WILL BE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC IN THIRD GEAR. THE TRAFFIC SLOWS, AND I LET IN THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS TO PICK UP AGAIN, I AM GOING TOO SLOW FOR THIRD, SO I SHIFT INTO SECOND AND LET THE CLUTCH OUT. MY RIGHT FO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I WAS DRIVING A STEADY 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY ON A DRY SUNNY DAY WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS. THE ROADS WERE SMOOTH AND DRY, AND THE GAS TANK WAS 1/2 FULL. THE CAR WAS 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 2700 MILES ON IT. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT PRESSING T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

36 complaints

11%

• THE CAR SOMETIMES SURGES DURING DOWNSHIFTING. I WILL BE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC IN THIRD GEAR. THE TRAFFIC SLOWS, AND I LET IN THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS TO PICK UP AGAIN, I AM GOING TOO SLOW FOR THIRD, SO I SHIFT INTO SECOND AND LET THE CLUTCH OUT. MY RIGHT FO
• I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. IT WAS AS IF MY CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I LOOKED AT THE GEAR SHIFT TO ENSURE IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE, AND IT WAS. SOMEH
• I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BUT LUCKILY CROSSING AT AN INTERSECTION WITH LIGHTS. I TURNED LEFT AND IT WAS AS IF MY CAR WENT IN NEUTRAL. I HIT THE GAS AND I DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. I HAD TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS CARS WERE BEEPING AT ME. I NOTICED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT C

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE CAR SOMETIMES SURGES DURING DOWNSHIFTING. I WILL BE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC IN THIRD GEAR. THE TRAFFIC SLOWS, AND I LET IN THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS TO PICK UP AGAIN, I AM GOING TOO SLOW FOR THIRD, SO I SHIFT INTO SECOND AND LET THE CLUTCH OUT. MY RIGHT FO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

31 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE
• WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 45 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED; THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN CAME BACK ON. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WHOLE ISSUE GAVE THE APPEARANCE OF PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOSING POWER AND THE POWER THEN
• CAR HIT COYOTE AT 75MPH. CAR NEVER WAVERED FROM WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. IT SAVED OUR LIVES THAT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT NOT HIT BY COYOTE BUT BARES A LARGE "BLIND SPOT" ON DRIVERS SIDE MAKING CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER DARK. CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP SAYS HEAD LIGHT IS WITHIN SPECS AND WAS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

25 complaints

• WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 45 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED; THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN CAME BACK ON. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WHOLE ISSUE GAVE THE APPEARANCE OF PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOSING POWER AND THE POWER THEN
• WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUT OFF FOR A SPLIT SECOND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE HEADLIGHTS, AUDIO SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DASHBOARD. THE ELECTRONICS RECOVERED AFTER THE SPLIT SECOND, AND THE CAR RAN NORMALLY. THE ENGINE WAS NOT AFFECTED. THIS ISSUE REC
• MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY - I WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. THE CAR LOST SORT OF RESET ITSELF - DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (ACCORDING TO MY WIFE). RADIO/CD STOPPED MUSIC - ABS LIGHT WENT ON (THAT'S ALL I CAN SEE FROM PASSENGER SIDE). MY WIFE SAID O

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 45 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED; THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN CAME BACK ON. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WHOLE ISSUE GAVE THE APPEARANCE OF PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOSING POWER AND THE POWER THEN ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

22 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THERE WERE SPIDERS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AREA. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO JERK WHEN ACCELERATING. THE DEALER WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE, STATING THAT BUGS AND SPIDERS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARR
• I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SKYACTIV AND A COUPLE SPIDERS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. I KNOW, STUPID. I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SPIDERS AS THE SAME SPIDER THAT MAZDA HAD ALREADY RECALLED FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS, YET DID NOT FOR OURS. I'M A LITTLE ANNOYED THERE ARE STILL SPIDERS
• I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC WHEN I NOTICED A LARGE WHITE SPIDER ABOUT THE SIZE OF MY THUMB COME OUT OF THE DASHBOARD (WHERE THE MPG DISPLAY IS LOCATED). THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I NOTICED ANOTHER SPIDER ON MY DASHBOARD NEAR THE VENT AT THE VERY FRONT. BOTH SPIDERS LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THE WHITE SAC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THERE WERE SPIDERS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AREA. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO JERK WHEN ACCELERATING. THE DEALER WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE, STATING THAT BUGS AND SPIDERS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~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 328 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I WAS DRIVING A STEADY 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY ON A DRY SUNNY DAY WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS. THE ROADS WERE SMOOTH AND DRY, AND THE GAS TANK WAS 1/2 FULL. THE CAR WAS 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 2700 MILES ON IT. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT PRESSING T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE CAR SOMETIMES SURGES DURING DOWNSHIFTING. I WILL BE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC IN THIRD GEAR. THE TRAFFIC SLOWS, AND I LET IN THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE. WHEN THE TRAFFIC STARTS TO PICK UP AGAIN, I AM GOING TOO SLOW FOR THIRD, SO I SHIFT INTO SECOND AND LET THE CLUTCH OUT. MY RIGHT FO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 45 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED; THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN CAME BACK ON. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WHOLE ISSUE GAVE THE APPEARANCE OF PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOSING POWER AND THE POWER THEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)