2012 Mazda MAZDA3

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL FILLER LINE LEAK. WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL FUEL LEAKS FROM SMALL WHOLE IN LINE THAT GOES INTO GAS TANK. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS WHERE THE LINE IS WELDED TO GAS TANK HAS BROKEN THE MAZDA SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME IT'S NOT AN ISSUE THAT MAZDA WILL FIX, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE 2013 MODELS, SO IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO A 2012 MODEL WHY IT NOT BE REPAIRED BY MAXDA?

• 12/30/2020· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLAMPS PULSE DURING BRAKING WHILE DECELERATION

• 12/29/2014· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  DRIVING AT APPROX 45MPH, CAR LOST ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING, AND MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS ON. CAR MOVED TO SITE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO DEALER. *TR

• 12/29/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  DRIVING AT 70MPH, LOST ACCELERATION AND MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO MOVE OVER TO EMERGENCY LANE ON INTERSTATE AND DRIVING TO NEAREST EXIT AT APPROX 40MPH. CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *TR

• 12/27/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO PULSATE, DIMMING AND BRIGHTENING VERY NOTICEABLY. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. MAZDA HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, ISSUED A TSB REFERENCE SB-01-019-13. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE IT'S DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. NHTSA HAS AN ID NUMBER 10053740 ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.

• 12/27/2012· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OUT OF A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND CURVE OR TURN, MY 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS IS CHARACTERIZED BY A VARYING INCREASE OF RPMS: 2100 RPMS TO 4500 RPMS, DEPENDING ON THE INCIDENT, AND A SUDDEN LURCHING OR SURGING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLE ITSELF. WHEN APPROACHING CURVES OR TURNS, AT 30 OR 40 MPH, THAT DO NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, I ENGAGE THE CLUTCH, APPLY THE BRAKES, AND SLOW THE VEHICLE TO 15-20 MPH. UPON COMING OUT OF THE TURN I SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. WHEN I SLOWLY RELEASE THE CLUTCH, WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT ALL, THE CAR'S ENGINE WILL REV, RPMS WILL SURGE TO AS HIGH AS 4000 - 4500, AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD UNTIL THE CLUTCH IS ONCE AGAIN DEPRESSED. THESE INCIDENTS ARE RANDOM AND ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON SPEED, WEATHER CONDITIONS, OR LOCATION. THESE INCIDENTS HAVE ONLY BEEN DUPLICATED WITH A MINIMAL INCREASE OF RPMS AND NO LURCHING FORWARD WHEN A MECHANIC IS PRESENT. THESE INCIDENTS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED FOR THE DEALERSHIP AT THEIR FULLEST AND MOST DANGEROUS. *TR

• 12/25/2014· TIRES,WHEELS

  TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR TIRE ROTATION. NOTICED LOUD HUMMING NOISE IN FRONT TIRES AFTER ROTATION. TOOK CAR BACK TO MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS TOLD THE FRONT TIRES WERE CUPPED BUT WOULD POSE NO PROBLEM FOR DRIVING. GAS MILEAGE HAS GONE DOWN 2 MPG SINCE THEN. *TR

• 12/23/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS FLICKER/PULSATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2012-13 MAZDA3 THAT REQUIRES A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO REMEDY. CURRENTLY, MAZDA IS CHARGING A MINIMUM OF $99 TO 'DIAGNOSE' THE ISSUE. SINCE THE ISSUE OCCURS IN MOTION, I DO NOT HAVE PHOTOS, BUT I DO HAVE VIDEOS. GIVEN THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY FAULTY SOFTWARE THAT ONLY MAZDA CAN UPDATE, THERE IS NO REASON THAT OWNERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM TO FIX THEIR OWN MISTAKE. IT'S A SCAM, AT BEST. DOCUMENTATION OF OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE AND CONSISTENT SOFTWARE UPDATE SOLUTION: HTTPS://WWW.MAZDAFORUM.COM/FORUM/MAZDA3-26/MAZDA-3-HEADLIGHTS-FLICKERING-PULSATING-WHEN-BRAKING-34536/ HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/AMP/S/AMP.REDDIT.COM/R/MAZDA3/COMMENTS/6AAEIK/20122013_HEADLIGHT_FLICKERING_SOLUTION/ - THIS LINK INCLUDES A MAZDA CANADA SERVICE BULLETIN, INDICATING THAT THE COMPANY IS FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.MAZDAS247.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?123843988-2013-MAZDA-3-HEADLIGHTS-BLINK-WHEN-BRAKES-APPLIED

• 12/23/2015· WHEELS

  I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JULY OF 2012. IN MAY OF THIS YEAR (2015), I HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT ON ME (OEM BRIDGESTONES) WHILE TRAVELING AT 75MPH ON THE FREEWAY. AT THE TIME, MY CAR HAD BARELY 30,000 MILES ON IT. OF COURSE, THEY ARE NOT WARRANTED. HOW IS IT THAT MAZDA HAS A 3 YR./36,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THEIR VEHICLES, BUT CAN'T MANAGE TO EQUIP IT WITH TIRES THAT WOULD DO THE SAME?!

• 12/16/2019· STEERING

  POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE AT FIRST, CHECKED FLUID, AND LINES, ALL WAS OK, THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, COULD NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT ALL STARTED, ON A PUBLIC ROAD.

• 12/15/2013· POWER TRAIN

  I DRIVE A 2012 MAZDA I TOURING SKYACTIVE. WHILE DRIVING HOME ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN I WAS CAME TO A STREET LIGHT. AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN HARD, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, WHICH FORCED ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION TYPE IS AN ELECTRIC AUTO/MANUAL. WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING, I PUT THE CAR IN TO MANUAL MODE AND NOTHING HAPPENED (NO POWER). ONLY AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT DID THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GO OFF AND THE CAR RAN AS NORMAL. THIS IS NOTHING I WOULD WANT TO HAPPEN WHILE ON A THRUWAY. ALSO, OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED DOWNSHIFTING HARD ONE IN A WHILE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. AFTER TO NIGHT, I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR OVER TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. *TR

• 12/14/2017· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTES DIAL FLUCTUATED RAPIDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN HINE MAZDA (45 CAMINO DEL RIO S, SAN DIEGO, CA 92108 (888) 714-7925) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED DUE TO DRIVER ABUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

• 12/12/2019· POWER TRAIN

  A HOT AND HUMID NIGHT WAITING IN LINE AT A DRIVE THROUGH WITH A SLIGHT UP HILL SLOPE, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT WENT INTO 3RD GEAR WITH AND ENGINE LIGHT, HAZ ROAD AND AT LIGHT. PO751 01/02, PO780 02/02 CODES. TRANSMISSION SHOP STATED: TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS BAD AND SMELL OF BURNT FLUID. FLUID WAS BROWN, CAR WAS ONE OWNER 233K ..POSSIBLE FLOOD DAMAGED FROM 4 MO EARLIER.

• 12/11/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER SEVERELY ANYTIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. AT NIGHT, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M FLASHING MY LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES, ANY ROADWAY. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AFTER FINDING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB-01-019-13). THE ISSUE WAS FIXED FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT HAS RETURNED.

• 12/11/2018· SEATS

  THE LINK CONNECTING THE FRONT LEFT OF THE SEAT SHEARED OFF. IT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE RECALL FOR THE 2011 MODELS.

• 12/10/2025· STRUCTURE

  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 had started to form. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

• 12/10/2013· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION SKID WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO A LOW GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,900. *TR

• 12/10/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURECrash

  CAR HIT COYOTE AT 75MPH. CAR NEVER WAVERED FROM WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. IT SAVED OUR LIVES THAT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT NOT HIT BY COYOTE BUT BARES A LARGE "BLIND SPOT" ON DRIVERS SIDE MAKING CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER DARK. CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP SAYS HEAD LIGHT IS WITHIN SPECS AND WAS COMPARED TO ANOTHER CAR OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL YEAR AND THE "BLIND SPOT" IS NORMAL. THIS PARTICULAR MAZDA 3 "DOESN'T LIKE TIRES". THAT IS WHAT THE GUY WHO PUT ON THE 3RD FULL SET OF TIRES TOLD ME. MILEAGE 46,000 THE CAR KEEPS BREAKING MOTOR MOUNTS AND MAZDA CLAIMS THIS IS ALL FROM THE ACCIDENT NOW 15 MONTHS AGO. THEY REFUSE TO FIX HEADLIGHT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER DARK AS MY INSURANCE COMPANY MAY FIGHT IF I SHOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAULTY HEAD LIGHT. I HAVE NEVER KNOW A CAR MANUFACTURER TO OFFER HEADLIGHTS WITH BLIND SPOTS BUT I HAVE AN INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SAYING THIS IS NORMAL ON THE MAZDA 3. THESE CARS ARE NOT MADE TO TAKE THE IMPACT OF A COYOTE SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE MAZDA 3 SHOULD IT HIT SOMETHING LARGER THAN A DOG. *TR

• 12/09/2023· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  [XXX] covers a safety oriented problem with my car. Jim Ellis Mazda in Marietta refuses to work on my car because it is more than 10 years old. This is a proprietary issue since it deals with the computer system in the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/09/2016· STEERING

  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. IN MY CASE, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. HOWEVER, HAD I JUMP STARTED THE CAR ELSEWHERE, A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT FOR EXAMPLE, THE LOSS OF STEERING MAY HAVE HAD ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS FREQUENTLY OCCURS IN MAZDA3S REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR.

• 12/09/2012· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  WHEN DOWNSHIFTING (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) FROM 3RD TO 2ND AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPM WENT WAY UP, MAYBE AROUND 4,000 RPM. I PRESSED THE CLUTCH TO AVOID THE CAR JERKING FORWARD AND HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE ONLY OWNED IT 5 MONTHS. *TR

• 12/07/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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.

• 12/06/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE AIMED TOO HIGH, CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/03/2018· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS SLIPPED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN ANY GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM WARRANTY CAMPAIGN BULLETIN NUMBER: O5-OO8/16 DUE TO BEING UNDER MILEAGE; HOWEVER, THE STATUTE FOR THE DATE TO RECEIVE SERVICE WAS ALSO EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYERS MAZDA (2455 BILLINGSLEY RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43235, (614) 792-2455) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

• 12/03/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLAMP ASSY. GET'S MOISTURE IN IT THAT MADE THE HEADLAMP BULB BLOW OUT. *JS

• 12/01/2017· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  MORE THAT ONE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. 1) IT STARTS HONKING WHILE DRIVING, INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF, THE CAR WILL ONLY MAKE RIGHT TURNS AND WILL NOT RESTART WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. YESTERDAY, IT DID IT ONCE AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AS I TURNED RIGHT ONTO THE CITY STREET FROM A PARKING LOT. LUCKILY THERE WAS ANOTHER PARKING LOT ENTRANCE ON THE RIGHT, SO I PULLED IN, PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. IT CONTINUED TO HONK, FLASH INTERIOR LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IGNITION WOULD NOT WORK NOR CRANK. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES OVER A FIVE (5) MINUTES, WHEN IT FINALLY RESTARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WILL START HONKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE PARKED AND OFF FOR NO REASON. THERE ARE TIMES THAT AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED HONKING IT WILL STOP, OTHER TIMES, I MUST GO ATTEMPT TO TURN VEHICLE ON AND EVENTUALLY IGNITION WILL CRANK AND ENGINE WILL START. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MAZDA BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TELL ME THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I AM WORRIED I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN ONE OF THESE DAYS AND HIT SOMEONE AND GET HIT BY SOMEONE ELSE WHEN THE CAR DECIDES IT WON'T TURN LEFT. NOT TO MENTION IF THE CAR WILL NOT START WHILE I AM IN A BAD AREA AND BE HARMED WHILE WAITING FOR THE CAR TO STOP HONKING, FLASHING AND REFUSING TO CRANK AND START. 2) WHEN YOU PUT GEAR IN DRIVE, FROM EITHER PARK OR REVERSE, AND TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATES AND LUNGES FORWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE. THE FIRST TIME IT DID IT I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR! THANKFUL I ACTED QUICKLY AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE. NOW I ALLOW ENOUGH SPACE, AS IF I DRIVING A TRUCK AND AM READY TO APPLY THE BRAKE. DEALERSHIP STATES NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. MAZDA NEEDS TO TAKE THESE MATTERS SERIOUSLY. BUT IT'S GOING BACK!!

• 11/26/2012· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN THE CAR DECELERATES (BRAKING OR DOWN-SHIFTING) THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH. WHEN I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO MAZDA SERVICE, THEY TELL ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS EFFECTING MANY OF THE NEW SKYACTIV ENGINES. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT THAT IS MAKING THE LIGHTS FLASH. THEY STATE THAT MAZDA ENGINEERS HAVE NOT GIVEN THEM A FIX FOR IT YET, SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A REAL SAFTEY HAZARD. PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY THINK I AM FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM. I BOUGHT A SECOND CAR (SAME MODEL AND YEAR) AT THE SAME TIME AND IT DOESN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I TELL THIS TO MAZDA, THEY ACT SURPRISED AND STATE THAT I MUST HAVE GOT LUCKY BECAUSE MOST OF THE CARS HAVE THESE FLASHING LIGHTS. THEY SEEM TO JUST WANT ME TO LIVE WITH IT. YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS SINCE THEY ARE SAYING IT IS A COMMON ISSUE. I THINK THESE CARS NEED A RECALL. *TR

• 11/25/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER/STROBE/DIM WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED OR WHEN MY FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE GAS PEDAL. USUALLY THE LIGHTS WILL HAVE A MORE PRONOUNCED FLICKER AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-60 MPH; HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED THE FLICKER AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 30 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY MORNING/NIGHT FOR A WEEK OR SO AND EVERY DEALERSHIP I HAVE TALKED WITH DOES NOT KNOW OF THIS ISSUE. I RESEARCHED A FEW MAZDA FORUMS AND FOUND MULTIPLE POSTS REGARDING A PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD BE A FIX. I AM WORKING ON GETTING IN TOUCH WITH MAZDAUSA FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BECAUSE GOING TO A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SUCH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND NOT AT ALL CUSTOMER FRIENDLY.

• 11/24/2014· POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR A WEEK; THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AND TO BRING IT IN AT ANY TIME. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ONE DAY AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD FUEL INJECTOR AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, NOW, FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM -- THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN GETTING THE MAXIMUM MPG (ABOUT 10 PERCENT LESS) AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HESITATION WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS. I WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SAME COMPLAINT OF OTHERS REGARDING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER -- THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. *TR

• 11/23/2020· SEATS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE SEAT WAS NO LONGER IN LINE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINALEWAY MAZDA - PEORIA (8424 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382; (623) 738-0755) WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT TRACK AND ADJUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS BEING ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

• 11/23/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  DASHBOARD PEELING OFF

• 11/22/2013· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING AT A STEADY 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND RAPIDLY BEGAN DECELERATING. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR DOWN RESULTED IN ONLY A MINOR CHANGE IN RPM. NARROWLY AVOIDED A COLLISION AND MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND JUST MADE IT HOME AS THE CAR WAS BARELY ABLE TO CLIMB THE SLIGHTEST GRADE. IT FELT LIKE I WAS PILOTING A LARGE MOTOR BOAT. AT HOME, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. TCS LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN OFF AS IT NORMALLY DOES. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF AND THE CAR THEN PERFORMED NORMALLY. *TR

• 11/21/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BRAKING CAUSING DIMINISHED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND SAFETY HAZARD. KNOWN ENOUGH TO HAVE A SERVICE BULLITEN. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES THAT MAZDA WANTS CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR IN ORDER TO BE FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD

• 11/20/2012· STRUCTURE

  DRIVERS DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER REPORTS LATCH CABLE IS BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH CABLE BREAKING. *TR

• 11/19/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SKYACTIV AND A COUPLE SPIDERS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. I KNOW, STUPID. I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SPIDERS AS THE SAME SPIDER THAT MAZDA HAD ALREADY RECALLED FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS, YET DID NOT FOR OURS. I'M A LITTLE ANNOYED THERE ARE STILL SPIDERS IN THERE CARE AND MAY CAUSE FUEL PROBLEMS, AND I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REMOVED. *TR

• 11/15/2018· SUSPENSION

  THE REAR SHOCKS HAVE AN UPPER ATTACHMENT THAT IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM. AFTER ONLY 49000 MILES THE SHOCK MOUNT CORRODED AND BROKE. IT ALSO CAUSED THE SHOCK ROD TO BEND.

• 11/15/2013· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA, MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE DECELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF

• 11/15/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  CRUISE CONTROL: PEDAL DOES NOT STAY WHERE IT IS SET - IT RETURNS TO A 0 MPH POSITION. THIS MAKES IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT RESTING ON THE PROPER PEDAL WHILE IN CRUISE, LEADING TO LOSING OF 'PLACE'. IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ACCELERATION ANOMALIES. WHEN STEPPING ON IT (GOING STRAIGHT) ENGINE WILL HESITATE, SEEM TO WIND UP AND THEN GO, NOT GIVING YOU THE POWER YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT, BUT SECONDS AFTER THE FACT. OTHER TIMES ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WITH MORE POWER THAN ANTICIPATED MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING INTO A TURN. SEEMS UNSAFE. *TR

• 11/14/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC, AND I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT OFF THE STREET IN FRONT OF A STORE, AND WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO THE PARKING SPOT, AND WAS PUTTING ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGED, AND WENT FORWARD, STILL AS I AM PRESSING ON THE BREAK, AND WENT THROUGH A STORE WINDOW. THEN ONCE IT STOPPED INSIDE THE STORE I PUT IT IN PARK, AND STARTED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, AND IT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD, SO I PUT ON THE BREAK AGAIN. THEN TRIED IT AGAIN, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND IT MOVED AGAIN A BIT, AND STOPPED. SO I TURNED OFF THE CAR.

• 11/13/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  Both front brake rotors fractured while braking, resulting in reduced braking distance and the need for evasive maneuvers to avoid collision. Fracture occurred in the casting, between the hub flange and braking pad surfaces. A photo of one of the rotors is available, but the hardware has been disposed of. Inspection of fracture surfaces shows some local evidence of rust, indicating that the rupture was proceeded by fatigue/corrosion cracking. No other advance warning was available.

• 11/07/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Headlight flickering and turns off and on randomly.

• 11/07/2017· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I WAS DRIVING 30 MPH ON A SMALL RURAL ROAD GOING THROUGH A RIGHT-HAND TURN WHEN THE A/T, ENGINE, AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I PUSHED THE STABILITY CONTROL SWITCH IN ATTEMPT TO SHUT IT OFF BUT TO NO AVAIL. I STOPPED AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF BUT THAT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE EITHER. I DROVE IT HOME BUT IT WASN'T EASY. THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION (NO TORQUE) AND COULD BARELY GET UP THE HILL TO MY HOME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY ARE REPLACING AN ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT COMMUNICATES BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE MODULE AND LABOR IS $1,000+. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS 105,000 MILES AND IS ONLY DRIVEN ON FREEWAYS AND NORMAL SURFACE STREETS.

• 11/05/2021· SERVICE BRAKES

  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. I have read several reports of people complaining about the same issue, likely related to a faulty ABS module. Safety issues should be addresses promptly by reputable manufacturers.

• 10/30/2013· POWER TRAIN,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY GOING 45MPH WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED SUDDENLY TO FIRST GEAR AND WOULD NOT UPSHIFT. ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS AND GEAR DISPLAY THAT SHOWS THE GEAR NUMBER WAS BLANK. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON, NO ENGINE CODES WERE TRIGGERED. CAR OPERATED NORMALLY UPON RESTART. *TR

• 10/29/2015· WHEELS

  HELLO, TIRES HAVE 12,103 MILES ON THEM THEY ARE EXHIBITING CRACKING AT THE BEAD WHERE THE THREADS MEET THE SIDE WALL I HAVE TOLD TOYO THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL OZONE CHECKING WHO EVER HEARD OF THAT ON A 3 YEAR OLD TIRE PLEASE UNBELIEVABLE WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DIE OR BUY NEW TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE WHEN I AM OUT OF WORK AT THE MOMENT SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS IS TERRIBLE I WILL INCLUDE PICTURE OF CRACK TIRES HAVE ALL THE THREAD LEFT STILL THAT IS WHY I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED ALSO THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 10/29/2013· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A '12 MAZDA MAZDA3 ITOURING HATCHBACK W/2.0L SKYACTIV I-4 (BL GENERATION) WITH SKYACTIV 6MT. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOP IN 1ST GEAR AND SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR (CLUTCH PEDAL COMPLETELY DEPRESSED BEFORE SHIFTER WAS PULLED OUT OF 1ST, NO GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED) TRANSMISSION WOULD GRIND WHEN SHIFTER IS BEING PULLED INTO 2ND GEAR. GRIND CAN BE HEARD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, AND CAN BE FELT IN SHIFTER. GRIND WOULD CONTINUE FOR LESS THAN A SECOND THEN WOULD POP FULLY INTO 2ND GEAR. ALONG WITH ISSUE, WHENEVER GRIND DOES NOT OCCUR, SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR REQUIRES SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FORCE TO FULLY ENGAGE COMPARED TO REVERSE, 1ST, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH GEARS. MAZDA DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE SYMPTOM, THEREFORE DECLARING AN "NPF" OR "NO PROBLEM FOUND." *TR

• 10/25/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND PULLING INTO HER DRIVEWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT JAMMED AND AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO HER GARAGE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER UPPER BACK AND NECK. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REMOVED FROM THE CONTACTS GARAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.

• 10/24/2019· SEATS

  THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT NOW WOBBLES BACKWARD. THE SEAT IS NOT SECURELY IN PLACE, WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE. THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2010-2011 VERSIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FOLLOWING LINK SHOWS THAT OTHER 2012 MAZDA 3 OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/MAZDA/MAZDA3/SEATS-PROBLEMS.PHP I HAVE EMAILED MAZDA TODAY ABOUT THE ISSUE AND ARE AWAITING THEIR REPLY, BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AT THE MOMENT, IF NEEDED I CAN HAVE THE SHOP TAKE PHOTOS.

• 10/23/2014· SUSPENSION,TIRES,WHEELS

  I HAD A MECHANIC ROTATE MY TIRES AND NOTICED THE FRONT TIRES WERE MAKING ALOT OF NOISE. I RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION AND HE SAID THAT THE TIRES CURRENTLY ON THE FRONT THAT WERE ON THE REAR HAVE SEVERE CUPPING PROBABLY DUE TO A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE MECHANIC ROTATE THE TIRES BACK. THE TIRES *TR

• 10/18/2014· SUSPENSION,TIRES,WHEELS

  PREMATURE TIRE CUPPING OF REAR TIRES. ALL TIRES ROTATED ACCORDING TO MAZDA MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. RESULT IN TIRE ROAD NOISE, UNEVEN WEAR, EARLY REPLACEMENT. REAR CAMBER SETTING IS POSSIBLE ISSUE. *TR