YearToAvoid

2012 Mazda Mazda3 Suspension, Wheels & Tires Problems

NHTSA lists 18 Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints for the 2012 Mazda Mazda3, 8% of its 226 total complaints for the year. The median mileage at failure was 37,000 miles, with one crash reported and no related recalls filed.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints
18
8% of 226
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
37,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical suspension symptoms owners report

  • Owners report premature cupping and uneven wear on rear tires, which they trace to a possible rear camber setting issue.
  • Front tires develop cupping and loud humming or road noise after routine rotations, sometimes noticed by mechanics with no factory recall to reference.
  • Sway bar bolts or links are reported loose or defective, causing a clunking or rattling noise from the rear or front suspension.
  • Some owners report tire failures such as blowouts or bead cracking well before expected tire life, in one case at highway speed.
  • A power steering warning light has been reported to illuminate at ignition and then clear once the engine starts, alongside tire wear complaints.

When 2012 Mazda Mazda3 suspension complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 12, 2014, latest Mar 5, 2022.

2012 Mazda Mazda3 suspension, wheels & tires complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2014Jan 2015Sep 2015Jun 2016Feb 2018Sep 2020
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2014 to Mar 2022; peak Oct 2014 (2).

Suspension, Wheels & Tires recalls for the 2012 Mazda Mazda3

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints by Mazda3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20056 (6%)
  2. 200631 (19%)
  3. 200724 (11%)
  4. 200867 (22%)
  5. 200940 (35%)
  6. 201081 (12%)
  7. 201114 (11%)
  8. 201218 (8%)
  9. 20133 (3%)
  10. 20145 (4%)
  11. 20153 (2%)
  12. 20163 (3%)
  13. 20176 (7%)
  14. 20182 (2%)
  15. 20191 (1%)
  16. 20203 (9%)
  17. 20213 (6%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20231 (8%)
  20. 20241 (8%)
  21. 20251 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How many suspension, wheels & tire complaints does the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 have?
NHTSA lists 18 complaints in this category for the 2012 Mazda3, which is 8% of the 226 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Mazda Mazda3 suspension or tires?
No. NHTSA data shows no related recalls tied to this problem area for the 2012 Mazda3.
At what mileage do these suspension and tire problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 37,000 miles.
Did any of these suspension or tire complaints involve a crash?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 1 crash linked to this problem area for the 2012 Mazda3, with no fires or injuries reported.
How does the 2012 Mazda3 compare to other years for this issue?
The 2012 Mazda3 had 18 complaints (8% share) in this category, lower than the 2010 model's 81 complaints (12% share) but higher than most years from 2013 onward, which mostly stayed at single digits.

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.