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Mazda MX-5Model year report

2012 Mazda MX-5 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
450miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 22 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mazda MX-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MX-5. The part named most often is air bags, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 450 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 207 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins 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

Air bags: “Passenger side air bag light comes on saying the air bag is not on. Happens intermittently. My wife weighs 101 lbs. I have contacted miata USA today and my dealer (3rd time). So far no satisfaction. I'm bringing the car in 08/01/2014 again. I spoke to Mazda USA today (07/09/14). In not so many words I was told that my wife wasn't positioned properly in the seat or that she doesn't weigh enough. That is an absurd answer. I then asked what if a child was in the seat. I was told that they could not conjecture on that possibility. They said it was up to the dealer to find a solution. …”

NHTSA complaint #10609242, filed 2014-07, 450 miles

Brakes: “I purchased the new miata on 4/23. When going over the functions with the salesman, he pulled the emergency brake up very hard. I was not able to released it with both hands. He apologized for pulling it up too far & said that was not necessary. I used the brake a number of times as I drove the car with him and there was a distinct spot where the brake would stop, which I assumed meant it was engaged. I asked the salesman for any feedback he had about how I was driving. He was positive. …”

NHTSA complaint #10456575, filed 2012-04, 77 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2012 Mazda MX-5. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10925124, filed 2016-11, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 77 and 80,000 miles.

67%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7533%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 450 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20122201420162017
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 MX-5 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
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual222724$3,400
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual212724$3,400
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic212723$3,550

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Mazda MX-5 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 207 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 207 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MX-5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2024514,4081—29—Too new
20237—1—30—Too new
2022514,0001—30—Not enough data
20191124,1103—30—Not enough data
2017118,1502—29—Not enough data
20163421,8293—30Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
201468000—24—Not enough data
201254500—24—Not enough data
2008740,0000—24—Not enough data
20071711,8760—24—Stable
20062520,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MX-5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mazda MX-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mazda MX-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mazda MX-5 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2012 Mazda MX-5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mazda MX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mazda MX-5 (MX-5, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 22 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mazda MX-5 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 450 miles and the middle half falls between 77 and 80,000 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.