The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda3 · 2012

2012 Mazda3. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index62100 = average car
Complaints83NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold123,361U.S. model year
Per 100K sold67complaints
Year rank#10 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,400 and 70,000 miles. Median 39,500, from 170 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain20,00010,100–54,00037
Engine20,0008,000–40,00031
Lights60,00039,000–81,00025
Electrical62,00036,000–85,40019
Speed control12,0001,200–26,50019

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain29%
Engine24%
Speed control22%
Stability control17%
Steering8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
22691305

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 16V644000 Sep 2016 Structure / Body / Hatchback/Liftgate

    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.

    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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 446

Mazda3 filed 446 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Due to high pressure fuel pump not generating target fuel pressure, caused by manufacturing error
  • If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the…
  • Rough idle with the check engine light on and dtc p0015 / p0524 stored

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mazda Mazda2 5 HB FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆★★★★☆
Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009896996,466Steering
2010107126106,353Tires
20113037102,417Transmission & drivetrain
20126283123,361Transmission & drivetrain
20133143104,713Electrical
20143844104,985Electrical
20155659107,884Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data