10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,258 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Mazda MAZDA3 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #15

May 012021

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #14

Apr 092021

MAZDA3

  • miles
Dashboard is warping creating a gap between the instrument panel and information display. The dashboard was replaced once by the dealer under extended manufacturing warranty. The new dashboard that was installed now have the same issue.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 052020

MAZDA3

  • 110,000 miles
My wife was driving her vehicle and the front cv axle completely snapped in half. Still not sure what could have possibly occured being there is no accident report on this vehicle. Perhaps the part was corroded or faulty.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #12

Jun 102020

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dashboard is lifting and its suppose to be covered under warranty for replacement per Mazda. But Mazda dealers decline to fix it under warranty claiming the 10 years are up. This is a lie. The vehicle is a 2012. Its 2020.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #11

Nov 132019

MAZDA3

  • miles
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.

- West Valley City, UT, USA

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problem #10

May 012018

MAZDA3

  • miles
Dashboard peeling off

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 092018

MAZDA3

  • 50,560 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down a winding road when my car started to lose power and and then completely stalled. Pror to it stalling, it was acting strange, would rev high and not kick in to the next gear (not sure if that's a correct description as this is an automatic car). Three lights came on: The check engine light, the automatic transaxile light and tcs/dsc indicator light. It was towed to a local small auto shop who diagnosed it as a computer code issue but they were unable to fix it. It was then towed to Mazda who couldn't find anything wrong with it. Since this incident, my car does not have good power, especially on inclines. It seems to shake at times and runs rough and this was not the case prior to the stalling incident. I believe it is a transmission issue but since Mazda couldn't diagnose it, I'm not sure.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 212017

MAZDA3

  • miles
I went to the madza place on August 22 I taked to clark he saw my dash board and told me that I had a recall that he would need to order the part and it would take a month to get it in. I have called many times to get my car fix they told me that their was not a recall at this time. I am not very happy that clark told me he would called and let me know that the part was in. I am very not happy at this time to what I need to do. No one at the dealer ship is helping me at all bob moore madza (405) 775-7000. I need my dashboard fix asap. Please help

- Okla City, OK, USA

problem #7

May 172017

MAZDA3

  • miles
Dash board

- Cicero, IL, USA

problem #6

Oct 062016

MAZDA3

  • miles
It was a recall on the dampers on my Mazda 3 hatchback I recieved anotice in October 2016 from Mazda and all they do is give me the run around on replacing the dampers, I cant get anywhere with them

- Sanford, FL, USA

problem #5

Mar 312017

MAZDA3

  • 56,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In the morning of March 31, 2017 when I've proceeded to va 206 to the naval lab (25-mile speed limit zone), traction control system (tcs/dsc) indicator light suddenly lit up, and car stalled. I attempted to accelerated but received non response from the car. The car stayed around 20- 25 mph. I pulled in the auto shop and turn off the engine. I re-started the car and the tcs/dsc indicator light was off and car behaved normally. However I don't know if the problem will happen again.

- King George, VA, USA

problem #4

Apr 142016

MAZDA3

  • 12,524 miles
Gps audio goes dead and endangers driver's & occupants ' safety while driving through unfamiliar allegedly crime-ridden parts of strange cities & neighborhoods. Not an electrical problem since lights and wipers etc work.. seems like defective gps with potential to endanger safety of driver & passengers.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #3

Aug 292014

MAZDA3

  • 40,400 miles
Purchased this vehicle on Aug 27th 2014 as a used vehicle and did the initial test drive during the day. A few days later while driving at night I decelerated while on the highway (speed is 55mph) to come to a complete stop at a 4 way intersection. The moment brakes are applied the front headlights flicker and continue to do so until fully stopped. I've tested this at multiple speeds and road types and it happens each time. We live in a heavily populated area with plenty of children as well as wild life and this decreases my chances of seeing them if they run out (even while braking, say if I was doing so slowly a child run out I can E-brake or apply more pressure to brakes to stop quicker...can't do that if I don't see them in time). It also is extremely distracting and annoying. I'm sure other drivers don't appreciate it when it's in their rear view mirrors nor when they are driving towards me on the opposite side of the road. Honestly I'm surprised I haven't been pulled over and ticketed for "illegal modification to headlights" etc. I'm not seeing a recall on this, however there is service bulletins for this exact problem. Why hasn't the PCM or the alternator been recalled? this problem among others I've dealt with since purchasing this vehicle and the fact that problems are being fixed by the manufacture make it to where I'll never purchase another Mazda in the future.

- Fort Campbell, KY, USA

problem #2

Aug 092015

MAZDA3

  • 29,387 miles
Dashboard pops out in 85 degree weather

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 172013

MAZDA3

  • 34,200 miles
I was stopped at a red light. Once light turned green, I pressed on the gas and the car revved to 3000 RPM but was barely moving and would not shift out of first gear. I looked at my speed and noticed the tcs problem light was on. By this time other motorists were honking at me at cursing I'm sure but I couldn't get any speed to pull over quickly. I put the car in manual mode, but there were no numbers that indicated what gear I was in. I have no clue why the tcs light came on and pretty much disabled my car. I was able to pull over into a mall parking lot where I turned car off and called for help. However, when help arrived, and we started the car back up, the tcs light was off and everything worked fine. I drove the car home. After reading that others have had the same complaint as I have, I will make sure Mazda will have a look at my car and make them aware there is an issue.

- Oshawa, NE, USA

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