YearToAvoid

2012 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

93/100

#2 most-complained of 16 Mazda3 years

The 2012 Mazda Mazda3 ranks 2nd worst of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 93 and 226 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are the Electrical System and Engine, each 19% of complaints, with one recall for lift gate supports.

Complaints
226
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
9 / 1
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
23 city / 30 hwy

Top 2012 Mazda Mazda3 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System44 (19%)
  2. Engine44 (19%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain40 (18%)
  4. Structure & Body33 (15%)
  5. Brakes32 (14%)
  6. Fuel System22 (10%)
  7. Other18 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (8%)
  9. Airbags17 (8%)
  10. Steering15 (7%)

What owners report

  • Sudden unintended acceleration or crashes while parking or pulling into a driveway, in some cases jamming the accelerator pedal.
  • Brakes failing to stop forward motion even with the pedal and emergency brake applied, leading to a collision.
  • Electrical system fires reported under the hood, in one case totaling the vehicle at 160,000 miles.
  • Headlights described as improperly aimed, causing a dark blind spot on the driver's side at night.
  • Airbag warning lights illuminating or airbags failing to deploy after a rear-end collision.
  • Multiple dashboard warning lights (power steering, ABS, security, seatbelt) illuminating together while driving.
2012 Mazda Mazda3 complaints: complaints filed per quarter132011 Q32013 Q32015 Q22017 Q22019 Q12021 Q12022 Q42025 Q1
295 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q3 to 2025 Q4; peak 2014 Q1 (13).

2012 Mazda Mazda3 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid100683226
2011Avoid87132226
2012Avoid93226126
2013Caution60117126
2014Caution73138432

All Mazda Mazda3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Mazda3 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 226 complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Mazda3 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda3?
The top problem areas are the Electrical System and Engine, each accounting for 19% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 18% and Structure & Body at 15%.
Does the 2012 Mazda3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2012 Mazda3, campaign 16V644000, covering lift gate support replacement on certain 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles.
How does the 2012 Mazda3 compare to other years?
The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 93 is close to the worst year, 2010, at 100, and much higher than later years like 2020 and 2022, which score 0 and 7 respectively.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mazda3?
The 2012 Mazda3 gets an EPA combined rating of 26 mpg (23 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.