2012 Mazda Mazda3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Mazda Mazda3 has a complaint index of 85, ranking 4th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported Electrical System problems (19% of complaints) plus Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues, each also at 19% and 18% share, with one recall on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Mazda3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 226
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2012 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System44 (19%)
- Engine44 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (18%)
- Structure & Body33 (15%)
- Brakes32 (14%)
- Fuel System22 (10%)
- Other18 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (8%)
- Airbags17 (8%)
- Steering15 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly experienced sudden unintended acceleration or a stuck accelerator pedal at low speeds, leading to crashes into fixed objects.
- Owners described brake pedal application that failed to stop forward motion, even with the emergency brake engaged.
- Multiple warning lights, including power steering and ABS indicators, reportedly illuminated together along with a loss of power steering assist.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a rear-end collision despite the crash triggering a warning light.
- Owners reported an under-hood electrical fire while the vehicle was parked, which the fire department attributed to the electrical system.
- Headlights were described as aimed too high or showing a dark blind spot, making nighttime driving difficult.
2012 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Structure & Body580,455 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 a good year to buy?
- No, it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Mazda3 model years, with a complaint index of 85 and a rank of 4th worst among 21 years of data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda Mazda3?
- NHTSA complaints most often cite the Electrical System (19% of complaints), Engine (19%), and Transmission & Powertrain (18%) as top problem areas.
- Does the 2012 Mazda3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V644000, covering the lift gate supports on 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles, plus related models.
- How does the 2012 Mazda3 compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 85 is close to the worst years, 2010 (100) and 2008 (95), while newer years like 2020-2025 score well below 40 and earn Good or Best verdicts.
- Were there any fires or injuries reported for the 2012 Mazda3?
- NHTSA data shows 1 fire and 5 injuries reported among 226 complaints for the 2012 Mazda3, with no deaths recorded.