2012 Mazda Mazda5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Mazda Mazda5 has a Complaint Index of 80 and ranks 3rd worst of 11 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 37 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, and 7 injuries, with the top problem area being Suspension, Wheels & Tires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #3 of 11 Mazda5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 37
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2012 Mazda Mazda5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (24%)
- Fuel System8 (22%)
- Structure & Body8 (22%)
- Brakes7 (19%)
- Airbags4 (11%)
- Steering4 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
- Electrical System1 (3%)
- Engine1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front seats reportedly recline or fail during rear-end collisions, allowing occupants to slide toward the rear seat area.
- Steering wheel shimmies or shakes when braking at highway speed, sometimes appearing as early as 3,000 miles.
- Owners describe brake rotors going out of round and vibration or thumping felt through the brake pedal and tires.
- Tires reportedly crack internally or hydroplane in rain, prompting early replacement.
- Some owners report losing steering control or brake lockup during turns or sudden stops, leading to crashes.
2012 Mazda Mazda5 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 compared with other Mazda5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Mazda Mazda5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Mazda5 ranks 3rd worst of 11 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Mazda5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda Mazda5?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues lead at 24% of complaints, followed by Fuel System and Structure & Body issues each at 22%, and Brakes at 19%.
- Does the 2012 Mazda Mazda5 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V644000, covering a lift gate support replacement, though parts were reported as not currently available at the time of the recall.
- How does the 2012 Mazda5 compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 80 is worse than the 2013 (30), 2014 (20), and 2015 (40) model years, which carry Good or Best verdicts, but slightly better than the 2008 and 2009 Avoid years, which scored 90 and 100.
- At what mileage do 2012 Mazda5 problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 43,000 miles, though suspension issues showed up earlier at a median of 10,500 miles.