VehicleVerdict

2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Mazdaspeed3 years?

Mazdaspeed3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted48 complaints2007: 48 complaints2008: 41 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 44 complaints2011: 8 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 3 complaints
Mazdaspeed3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mazdaspeed3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission350%
Brakes117%
Lighting117%
Seats117%

Does the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V644000Body & StructureSeptember 6, 2016 · 580,455 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“END OF 2013, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RANDOMLY POPPING OUT OF 2ND GEAR AND BACK INTO NEUTRAL. DEALER REBUILT TRANS UNDER WARRANTY AND ALL WAS OKAY UNTIL OCTOBER 2014 WHEN THE SAME ISSUE BEGAN AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED TRANS UNDER WARRANTY BUT ADVISED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. CURRENTLY, JULY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 29, 2013

“DRIVER ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY BRAKING EVENT. BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO MAINTAIN FORM-BENT UNDER MODERATE PRESSURE, ALLOWING BRAKE PEDAL COVER TO FALL OFF RESULTING IN DRIVER'S FOOT TO LOSE CONTACT WITH BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF BRAKES AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 26, 2014 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY, THE SEAT MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND MY SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH FREELY UNDER ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE METAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 23, 2017

“HEADLIGHTS VOLUNTARILY AND UNCONTROLLABLY FLICKERING DURING ROUTINE DRIVING STRAIGHTAWAYS, TURNING, OR ENCOUNTERING BUMPY ROAD. ISSUE ARISES AT VARYING RATES OF SPEED. HAD VEHICLE SINCE 2012 AND NEVER HAD ISSUE. END OF NOV. 2016, TOOK CAR IN FOR 60,000 CHECK-UP. DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW BATTERY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 26, 2016

2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 — common questions

Is the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda Mazdaspeed3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mazdaspeed3 years to avoid are 2007, 2010, 2008. The cleanest record among Mazdaspeed3 years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.