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Mazda MAZDASPEED3Model year report

2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
21,550miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and exterior lighting (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 21,550 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 27 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Recently purchased a brand new 2012 Mazda speed3. 17 miles off the lot. In the 4 mile drive to my house 15 minutes after signing paperwork, the clutch blows out. Had it towed back and was told we were lucky they fixed it under warranty because this item is a wear & tear item because going 4 miles is apparently too long. We were told to break the clutch in for about 400 miles. Well, we made it to 125 miles on the odometer and the same exact thing happened. Except this time, I was driving about 40mph on a busy road when the clutch went out. Luckily my three young children were not in the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10482514, filed 2012-10, 21 miles

Brakes: “Driver attempted an emergency braking event. Brake pedal failed to maintain form-bent under moderate pressure, allowing brake pedal cover to fall off resulting in driver's foot to lose contact with brake pedal. Driver lost control of brakes and resulted in a collision.”

NHTSA complaint #10668393, filed 2014-12, 25,100 miles

Exterior lighting: “Headlights voluntarily and uncontrollably flickering during routine driving straightaways, turning, or encountering bumpy road. Issue arises at varying rates of speed. Had vehicle since 2012 and never had issue. End of nov. 2016, took car in for 60,000 check-up. Dealership installed new battery. Issue began shortly thereafter. Definite safety issue and concern. While driving behind another vehicle one evening, my vehicle lights flickered and prompted the driver ahead of me to move into another lane. It gave them the impression that I was flashing lights to encourage them to move. …”

NHTSA complaint #10934560, filed 2016-12, 60,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,500 and 60,000 miles.

17%0–1033%10–2517%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 21,550 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201212013120141201512016120171
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 MAZDASPEED3 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
Speed 3 FWD2.3L 4-cyl6-speed manual182521$3,900

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 MAZDASPEED3 → · 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. 27 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 27 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MAZDASPEED3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012621,5501—21—Not enough data
2011540,6112—21—Not enough data
20103266,2572—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20083347,8021—20Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20073811,7002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MAZDASPEED3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 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 MAZDASPEED3 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (Speed 3, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 21,550 miles and the middle half falls between 12,500 and 60,000 miles; 67% 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.