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Mazda MAZDA5Model year report

2012 Mazda MAZDA5 Problems

Compared with other Mazda MAZDA5 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

23/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
43,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5. The part named most often is fuel system, with 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and body and structure (7). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 52% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 225 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 Mazda MAZDA5 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 23 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Engine (1), Suspension (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Every time I fill up the gas tank gas shoots out the filler receptical. I must always stand away from the filler to avoid getting any gas on myself. Gas runs down the side of the car. I am concerned this could cause a fire. I had to give a date below but this has been happening for years.”

NHTSA complaint #11162493, filed 2018-12, 39,000 miles

Brakes: “I had 3,000 miles on my 2012 Mazda 5 when I first complained to a Mazda dealer that my car would wobble when going forward into a right turn and in reverse when making a left turn.'something' would always correct the problem for a while when I complained during multiple oil changes. Recently at 25,000 miles a dealer finally told me my rotors were out of round so they were going to ground them down to make them straight. I requested a replacement but they said no. I would not expect nor have I ever seen rotors wear down before years of service. …”

NHTSA complaint #10536591, filed 2013-08, 3,150 miles

Body and structure: “Rear-ended while stopped by truck going under 20 MPH. Our heads struck headrests and driver and front passenger seats instantly reclined back onto front of children's car seats. They're legs would have been crushed at the knees if they were in the accident. Our necks were sore from whiplash.”

NHTSA complaint #11416664, filed 2021-05, 110,300 miles

Tires: “Tires: the 2012 Mazda 5 gt standard tires have developed major side wall bubble/blisters on the toyo proxes a18 205/50/r17 on two separate tires with only 12,000 miles. Mazda and toyo replaced the first one and declined to replace the second one. I replaced all 4 tires for the safety of my family and others on the road.”

NHTSA complaint #10575548, filed 2014-03, 10,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

52% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,000 and 85,475 miles.

10%0–1024%10–2517%25–5021%50–7510%75–10010%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 43,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’12’14’165’185’20’22’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
5 FWD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed automatic212824$2,800
5 FWD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed manual212824$2,800

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

Recall details for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 → · Check a 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. 225 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 225 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MAZDA5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2015945,0001—24—Not enough data
20141279,0001—24—Not enough data
20132438,0001—24—Stable
20123743,0001—2423 · FewerFalling
20105751,5001—2443 · TypicalStable
20096442,3052—2472 · MoreFalling
20086738,7501—2456 · TypicalFalling
20076165,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20067850,5002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MAZDA5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.

Has the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 (5, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mazda MAZDA5 reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,000 miles and the middle half falls between 18,000 and 85,475 miles; 52% 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.