2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 7%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,124miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3, 7% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,124 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving on the freeway and car lost power, even when pushing on the gas pedal I could not get the speed to go past 40, very dangerous on a freeway. Had to get all the way over to get off the freeway, going 40, with people going 80 miles per hour around me! Lucky I was not hit! Traction control light was on and stayed on the entire time. Pulled off freeway and called the dealer they had me come in and said they reset the computer because they could not find an error code. …”
NHTSA complaint #10579271, filed 2014-04, 25,000 miles“While driving down the highway the vehicle all of a sudden lost power and began to slow down. The traction control light turned on at this time. Pushing the accelerator did nothing. When I switched the manual mode for the transmission the gear was not displayed on the dashboard and trying to up or downshift did nothing. After pulling off to the side of the road I was able to place the transmission in park. I lifted the hood and checked for fluid leaks or spills of which there were none. …”
NHTSA complaint #10498315, filed 2013-02, 17,758 miles“I have an automatic skyactiv 2012 5dr hatchback. I was pulling out on a back road that was 60mph and as soon as I pressed the gas to speed up with traffic it was as if the car lost all power. The traction control light came on and the car slowly accelerated as I had the gas pressed to the floor. It very slowly sped up to 60mph and would not go any faster. I tried pressing the traction control button to turn it off and nothing happened. My wife and I got lunch and afterwards it worked fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10506048, filed 2013-04, 12,000 miles“I was driving along a city street on the way to a mall when I noticed the traction control warning light come on. My car then started to decelerate. I pressed on the gas and noticed that the needle on my tachometer was running high indicating high rate of RPM. I could not drive faster than 35 MPH for fear of redlining and possibly damaging the engine. I went back home and parked my car. Later when I started my car the traction control warning light had turned off and I was able to drive the car normally again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587871, filed 2014-05, 16,490 miles“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+. …”
NHTSA complaint #11044096, filed 2017-11, 105,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 16 | 7% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3
40 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology