2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3, 2% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,250 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a rotten egg smell coming from the exhaust pipe from the car. Mazda dealer is unable to resolve the problem when I went back for service. I change gas to shell as recommended by the dealer, and the problem persists. Dealer said that this is comon problem and blamed it on the gasoline blend.”
NHTSA complaint #10496642, filed 2013-02, 2,500 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10486034, filed 2012-11, 100 miles“Upon turning off the engine, the exhaust fume smells like rotten egg smell. The Mazda dealer said that there is nothing they can do because there is not a recall on the catalytic converter. The Mazda dealer suggested using only shell gas. The Mazda dealer also reported that there is not enough incidents yet for Mazda to recall the catalytic converter.”
NHTSA complaint #10627644, filed 2014-08, 16,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10202696Oct 6, 2021Some customers may complain about high engine oil consumption. Before attempting any repairs, verify the complaint by using the guideline below to determine if an engine repair…
- 10201777Sep 24, 2021Ethanol is becoming a common additive in gasoline. Gasoline containing ethanol is likely available at your local gasoline station. Typical blends of ethanol include E10 and E85…
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
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Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 17 | 10% |
| 2005 | 19 | 20% |
| 2004 | 17 | 12% |
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 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsSteering
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology