FaultScore

2012 Mazda MAZDA3 body problems

17 of the 328 complaints about the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 are about the body and structure — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 37,000 miles.

B

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 10 58.8%
Structure 3 17.6%
Dashboard 2 11.8%
Door 1 5.9%
Hatchback/Liftgate 1 5.9%

Body & Structure across every Mazda MAZDA3 year

2006 12 5.4%
2010 170 76.2%
2011 13 5.8%
2012 17 7.6%
2013 11 4.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 100,000 miles Austin, TX

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The vehicle was transported from the east to Texas, and the vehicle was bought used. The contact stated that the dashboard was sticky and that a gap was between the instrument panel and cover. The contact stated that a small to medium bubble had started to form. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11704211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scotts Valley, CA

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

The dashboard on my Mazda3 has popped up and is causing me to be distracted while I drive, and I am concerned that this could have an impact on airbag deployment, as the lifted dash provides an opening to the wiring and airbags within. I became aware yesterday that this is an issue that Mazda tried to remedy by extending their warranty in 2017 for my car model. However, I was never notified, and the warranty has now expired. I spoke with Mazda Corporate (call reference # 1-4144339276) and they would not honor the extended warranty to remedy the issue because the time frame has expired. Had I been notified by Mazda and known that this were an issue, I would have had the dash replaced when the warranty was extended. Mazda did not do their due diligence and notify me of their dashboard issue, and denied their failure to notify me when questioned. This places a concern about the practices of Mazda and caring for the safety of their car buyers.

NHTSA complaint #11423801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 850,000 miles EAU Claire, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY

I RECENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VISIBILITY ISSUES WITH MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SEDAN. IT STARTED WHEN THE PLASTIC INTERIOR ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME "GOOPY" AS IT HEATS UP FROM THE SUN. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE AND HAS LEFT BEHIND A SHINY SURFACE THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF MY DRIVING PERIPHERAL. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS OF MAZDA MAKES/MODELS, BUT NOT MINE. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO AND IT'S BECOMING WORSE MAKING IT SO I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY FRONT WINDSHILD ON BRIGHT, SUNNY DAYS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED IN ANYWAY AS IT AFFECTS MY EVERYDAY LIFE AND IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN IS AT HIGH NOON. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS TO SHOW HOW THE INTERIOR PANEL HAS BECOME NATURALLY. IT'S CURRENTLY A CLOUDY DAY SO THE GLARE ISSUE IS NOT SHOWCASED AS MUCH. I HAVE TEMPORALLY LAID A TAN CLOTH OVER TO REDUCE SOME OF THE GLARE BECAUSE IT'S LESS SHINNY THAN THE MELTED INTERIOR (WHICH SEEMS TO REDUCE THE GLARE PROBLEM BY 50%). THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I HOPE TO HEAR BACK SOON.

NHTSA complaint #11399991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Providence Forge, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CLEAR COAT WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE LEADING TO EXTENSIVE PAINT LOSS AND CORROSION BEGINNING ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND HOOD. EVENTUALLY THE FAILURE OF THE PAINT WILL LEAD TO RUST AND CORROSION OF THE ROOF AND SUPPORT SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE BODILY HARM IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11394794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON THE DASHBOARD IN THE CENTER FRONT WINDSHIELD AREA, PART OF THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE COME DETACHED. THERE IS A LARGE GAP ABOVE THE VENTILATION/RADIO AND IT SEEMS TO CONTINUE PULLING FURTHER AWAY. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS DIRECTLY AFFECTING THE VENTILATION/AIR SYSTEM BUT I WAS HEARING SOME STRANGE NOISES. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE (APPROX. 3+ YEARS) BUT CONTINUES TOO PROGRESSIVELY WORSEN.

NHTSA complaint #11387508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Naples, FL

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CAMBER WAS SET AT A NEGATIVE ANGLE, WHICH MADE THE REAR TIRES WEAR OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE INSIDE OF THE REAR TIRES MADE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD AND THE DESIGN WAS SET UP FOR RACING RATHER THAN NORMAL DRIVING. AN UNKNOWN DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS SUPPOSED TO CALL THEM BACK WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11245193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rose BUD, AR

STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. NORTH POINTE MAZDA DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REMEDY WOULD BE PROVIDED ONCE THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ

NHTSA complaint #11001949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanford, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

I GOT A NOTICE FROM MAZDA TELLING ME MY CAR HAS A RECALL ON A LIFT GATE DAMPER THIS HAS BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS AGO AND THEY FAIL TO REPLACE IT

NHTSA complaint #11000353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sandford, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (COREY FAIRBANKS MAZDA) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND A SECOND LETTER ONCE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11000358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Phillipsburg, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY WHEN FOR NO REASON, THE MOONROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS HAD NO PREVIOUS IMPACT FROM ROCKS, ETC. IT WAS A MILD DAY, NOT HOT AND NOT COLD.

NHTSA complaint #10991994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bridgeport, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10966041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Missouri City, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

WE RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT OUR VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY RECALL FOR LIFT GATE STAY DAMPERS IN OCTOBER 2016. AT THIS DATE 1/24/2017. THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. BASED ON THE SAFETY RECALL THAT THE LIFT GATE COULD CORRODE AND FALL WE BELIEVE THIS IS NEEDING A MORE SPEEDY RESOLUTION THAN THAT WHICH IT IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10947334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Alexandria, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES AT JUST UNDER 30,000 MI BECAUSE THE TREADS WORE IMPROPERLY. FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS, MY AXLE WORE OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE REAL PROBLEM COMES WHEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 75 MILES AN HOUR ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND THE ENGINE STARTS JUMPING. THE RPMS GO UP AND DOWN, BUT THE CAR WON'T ACCELERATE. I GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON PURE MOMENTUM. THE CAR THEN TURNS COMPLETELY OFF WITH THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION, BUT NOT LIGHTS COME ON. I REMOVE THE KEY, WAIT 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR TURNS BACK ON. IT DIED AGAIN A FEW MIN LATER SO I HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. 5 MIN AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC'S SHOP, MY CAR STARTS JUMPING AGAIN; I BARELY MADE IT BACK. THE MECHANIC IS AT A LOSS AND RECOMMENDS THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THERE ARE NO CODES. THE DEALER GETS IT AND WORKS WITH IT FOR A FEW DAYS AND SAYS THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR (MAFS) WAS CLOGGED, WHICH WAS TURNING OFF THE CAR, AND THE BEARINGS WERE ALSO CAUSING PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN OUT (FROM THE AXLE BEING IMPROPERLY INSTALLED). THEY REPLACED THE BEARINGS, CLEANED THE MAFS, AND RESET THE COMPUTER, UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS OK. 2 DAYS LATER, I'M DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTS JUMPING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO BARELY MAKE IT OUT OF TRAFFIC BEFORE THE CAR DIED AGAIN. THE CAR STARTS UP AGAIN 5 MIN LATER AND I TAKE ABOUT 10 MIN TO GET TO SAFETY AS THIS REPEATS. THE DEALER HAS MY CAR FOR ALMOST 3 WKS, MAZDA'S FIELD ENGINEERS GET INVOLVED, THEY-CHECKED THE FUEL COMPONENTS, THE COMPUTER, FILTERS ETC, AND THEN MAZDA RECOMMENDS CHECKING THE WIRING HARNESS. A CLIP HAD BROKEN ABOVE THE AXLE ON THE ENGINE THAT ALLOWED THE WIRING TO WEAR OUT. THEY HAD TO REDO THE WIRING IN A DIFFERENT WAY SO IT WOULDN'T WEAR--THIS SEEMS LIKE IT HAS HAPPEN TO OTHERS W/O RESOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #10892307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,944 miles Washington, DC

STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD POPS OUT IN TEMPERATURES OVER 90 DEGREES.

NHTSA complaint #10703775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,048 miles Harvet, AL Crash

STRUCTURE

CAR HIT COYOTE AT 75MPH. CAR NEVER WAVERED FROM WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. IT SAVED OUR LIVES THAT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT NOT HIT BY COYOTE BUT BARES A LARGE "BLIND SPOT" ON DRIVERS SIDE MAKING CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER DARK. CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP SAYS HEAD LIGHT IS WITHIN SPECS AND WAS COMPARED TO ANOTHER CAR OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL YEAR AND THE "BLIND SPOT" IS NORMAL. THIS PARTICULAR MAZDA 3 "DOESN'T LIKE TIRES". THAT IS WHAT THE GUY WHO PUT ON THE 3RD FULL SET OF TIRES TOLD ME. MILEAGE 46,000 THE CAR KEEPS BREAKING MOTOR MOUNTS AND MAZDA CLAIMS THIS IS ALL FROM THE ACCIDENT NOW 15 MONTHS AGO. THEY REFUSE TO FIX HEADLIGHT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER DARK AS MY INSURANCE COMPANY MAY FIGHT IF I SHOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAULTY HEAD LIGHT. I HAVE NEVER KNOW A CAR MANUFACTURER TO OFFER HEADLIGHTS WITH BLIND SPOTS BUT I HAVE AN INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SAYING THIS IS NORMAL ON THE MAZDA 3. THESE CARS ARE NOT MADE TO TAKE THE IMPACT OF A COYOTE SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE MAZDA 3 SHOULD IT HIT SOMETHING LARGER THAN A DOG.

NHTSA complaint #10555504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,681 miles Montpelier, VT

STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVERS DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER REPORTS LATCH CABLE IS BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH CABLE BREAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10485308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,164 miles Montpelier, VT

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. BROKEN INNER DRIVERS DOOR CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10454264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 problems

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