2012 Mazda MAZDA2 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 15,173miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 31 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 29 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and steering (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 15,173 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 211 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags3 33%
- Brakes3 33%
- Steering2 22%
- Electrical system1 11%
- Fuel system1 11%
- Seats1 11%
- Suspension1 11%
Example complaints
Air bags: “After 3,000 - 5,000 miles of driving each time, a vibration begins and quickly leads to violent vibration in steering when braking from any significant speed (30 + MPH). Especially violent when braking from highway speeds to an exit ramp. Also, the air bag sensor is on. And the dealer tryin to fix it but came again.”
NHTSA complaint #11241071, filed 2019-08Brakes: “I purchased a MAZDA2 on april30th 2012. At approximately 850 miles, I brought the vehicle to the dealership I purchased it at (towson Mazda), because of a significant vibration in steering when braking. Since then, I have brought the vehicle back to the same dealership approximately every 5,000 miles for the same issue. Over the course of 6-8 visits, the dealer has machined the rotors and actually replaced the rotors twice (or so they said...). …”
NHTSA complaint #10605450, filed 2014-06, 850 milesSteering: “My 2012 Mazda has approximately 42,000 miles on it. I purchased it used in 2013 when it had 35,570 miles on it. When I bought it used from a rental-car sale lot, I noticed a slight hitch in the steering if the wheels were turned far to the left or right. But the anomaly was very slight and the steering otherwise functioned smoothly. Lately the hitch in the steering got noticeably worse, with hitches developing every few degrees of turning left or right. The factory authorized Mazda shop that does my routine maintenance advised me to have my steering diagnosed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10861541, filed 2016-04, 41,600 milesElectrical system: “I bought my Mazda 2 new from ricart Mazda, and take it there for service. As I drive at a steady speed, the traction control lamp and engine lamps light and stays lit. When this happens, I cannot accelerate. The car idles higher, just less than 2000 rpms. I must turn off the ignition and restart the engine. Once restarted, the traction control lamp is no longer lit, but the engine lamp remains lit. The car then responds normally. I have taken it to the dealer twice, they say the engine code is p2299. The dealer (ricart) states they cannot duplicate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566986, filed 2014-03, 15,173 milesMileage when problems were reported
80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 850 and 41,600 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 29 | 34 | 31 | $2,150 |
| 2 FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 28 | 33 | 30 | $2,250 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 211 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026Electrical system. DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if…
- 11037013Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026Electrical system, Engine. This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11026917Dec 17, 2025Electrical system. If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any…
- 11026904Dec 10, 2025Other or unknown. A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in…
- 11022742Aug 22, 2025Body and structure, Other or unknown. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. If a…
- 11020039Jun 19, 2025Other or unknown. Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter may be the cause…
- 11017699Apr 25, 2025Other or unknown. A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in…
- 11007022Aug 15, 2024Body and structure. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
Other model years of the Mazda MAZDA2
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 9 | 7,370 | 1 | — | 31 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 13 | 30,899 | 1 | — | 31 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 9 | 15,173 | 0 | — | 31 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 17 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 31 | — | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 (2, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 29 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mazda MAZDA2 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 15,173 miles and the middle half falls between 850 and 41,600 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.