2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 9%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3, 9% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I applied the brakes, and the car kept moving forward even though I was pressing the brake pedal. I pulled the emergency brake but that didn't stop the car from moving forward and hitting the back of the truck in front of me. I was on a highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11309258, filed 2020-02, 91,000 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 purchased my 2012 Mazda 3 one year ago (2017). I first noticed the issue about a month after owning my car. I turned on my air conditioner at first low, then all the way up, it felt slightly cool, but only as if my fans were blowing and nowhere near what an air conditioner should properly feel like. This was after letting the car warm up, and driving on back roads or highways as well as when parked. I brought the car back and the technician had some trouble figuring out how to fix it. The AC compressor was replaced, and yet I am still now dealing with a car that will not blow cold air! …”
NHTSA complaint #11100181, filed 2018-06, 26,465 miles“While downshifting from 4th to 3rd and/or 5th to 4th to slow down without having my foot on the gas pedal (only on the clutch) my 2012 Mazda 3 touring 6 speed mt accelerates very rapidly and jerks about. It happens for several seconds and then stops. It's almost every time I downshift. I brought it to the attention of the Mazda dealer on the first service appointment at 5000 miles in april 2013. However, the service advisor informed me that mechanic checked the problem and found no issues with the car that would be causing this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10584101, filed 2014-04, 1,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 13% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 20 | 9% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 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 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 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 29, 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