2012 Mazda Mazda3: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2012 / mazda / mazda3
known issues7 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-03)
complaints226 on file (2011-08-23 → 2025-12-10)
recalls1
investigations1
fars108 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Headlight flicker and dimming when brakingEXTERIOR LIGHTING22 complaints2015-08 → 2025-02mazda3-2012-headlight-flicker-braking
  • 11554073 Headlight flickering and turns off and on randomly
  • 11451766 Headlights flicker when brakes are applied or when slowing down
  • 11301866 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN YOU BRAKE THE HEADLIGHTS DIM SIGNIFICANTLY AND FLICKER UNTIL YOU GO BACK TO THE GAS OR STOP. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I DROVE THE CAR I BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER ONE NIGHT IN OCTOBER 2019
Driver seat lifter breakage and rockingSEATS14 complaints2014-02 → 2025-05mazda3-2012-seat-lifter-rocking
  • 11659410 The Seat Lifter on the driver's side seat frame broke, the metal has a clear stress fracture right near the bracket where the frame connects to the rail. This is the same part that was recalled in the 2010 and 2011 Models by Mazda in 2017. NHTSA Campaign No. 17V-082
  • 11526758 Driver seat rocks back and forth. There was a recall for 2010-2011 models for this exact issue but 2012 and 2013 are not included in the recall. This is an issue for later models and was even an issue for the 2014-2018 as a separate recall was issued for that generation
  • 11446147 Driver seat has become loose and rocks forward in an up and down fashion while driving. Can be rock by hand as well when not sitting in the seat. A prior recall addressed this issue with 2010-2011 Mazda 3's
Soft brake pedal traced to ABS moduleSERVICE BRAKES8 complaints2017-12 → 2025-06mazda3-2012-soft-brake-pedal-abs
  • 11667217 The brake pedal is soft and sometimes unresponsive unless it is pumped repeatedly. There have been several times where I have been concerned if I would come to a complete stop. I have had both sets of brake pads replaced in the last year, and have on driven 9,000 miles
  • 11601244 Weak braking and spongy brake pedal created near accidents at highway speeds. Brake pedal needs to be pumped to get firmness. But the check engine warning light did not come on, either
  • 11439529 Brakes became soft. Needed to pump them to stop the vehicle. My mechanic changed pads, rotors and master cylinder. However, it did not fix the problem
Fuel tank leak after refuelingFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7 complaints2018-12 → 2025-09mazda3-2012-fuel-tank-leak
  • 11689933 The car leaks gas when the tank is full and if the car is inclined slightly. I've noticed the problem several month ago with an occasional odor but finally saw the gas leaking recently when it was parked on a sloped street
  • 11652352 Our fuel tank is leaking for no reason. Brought it in last year (2024) for state inspections and let them know we smell gas when we park sometimes. They poke around and find nothing, but note there is a faint gas smell and to bring it to the dealer
  • 11342720 SMELL OF FUEL IS VERY NOTICEABLE AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATES THERE IS LEAKING SOMEWHERE NEAR/AROUND THE TANK BUT NOT ON TOP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP IS
Dashboard warping and gap at instrument panelSTRUCTURE19 complaints2014-02 → 2025-12mazda3-2012-dashboard-warp-gap
  • 11704211 The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The vehicle was transported from the east to Texas, and the vehicle was bought used. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky and that a gap was between the instrument panel and cover. The contact stated that a small to medium bubble
  • 11581837 The dashboard of my 2012 Mazda 3 has separated from the instrument panel causing a gap between them. The dashboard has become very sticky leaving a black sticky film on the surface. This has caused a glare on the windshield making it hard to see at times while driving
  • 11443016 Dashboard melting and warping causing visibility issues, as well as the dashboard should never be melting. This should be recalled as it is a known and widespread issue
Transmission stalling and erratic gear shiftingPOWER TRAIN28 complaints2013-10 → 2024-06mazda3-2012-power-train-shift-stall
  • 11596026 Car started jerking and on the way home, the car lost all power to the transmission. The check engine light came on as well as the AT and traction lights. Absolutely no power to the transmission. codes P0780 and P0751
  • 11550320 The car started to stall, hesitate and even stop completely for no apparent reason. The mechanic first recommended a new ECU/TCU which did not help the problem and in the course of duplicating the problem check engine light has come on for the transmission with problems
  • 11228972 AT 41K MILES HAD TO HAVE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED BECAUSE THE TIPTRONIC FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS WHEN USING THE "MANUAL" MODE. AT 64K MILES, EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE (APPROX 3 YEARS AFTER INITIAL REPAIR)
Intermittent power steering lossSTEERING9 complaints2014-02 → 2021-10mazda3-2012-power-steering-failure
  • 11436698 my power steering has randomly failed for a second time. It happened once before as I pulled into a store -this time it happened while I was travelling southbound on highway 1 a very curvy road with steep cliffs where the speed limit is 55 so it was very scary when my steering
  • 10983010 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, IT OPERATED AS INTENDED
  • 10934084 MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. I JUMP STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I STARTED FORWARD, THE POWER STEERING HAD AN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
2262011-08-232025-12-1091POWER TRAIN:40; ENGINE:32; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:31; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:25; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:20

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
16V64400006/09/2016STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATEMazda 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.If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
EA21002openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2021-09-17··From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-2024108legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Mazda Mazda3 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/mazda/mazda3
@misc{wrenchpro_2012_mazda_mazda3_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Mazda Mazda3},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/mazda/mazda3}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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