2012 Mazda 3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 40 of 226 complaints (18%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 132 in 2011 to 226 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,600 | 2,250–2,700 | 1,950–2,700 | 1,950–2,700 | 1,900–2,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–28 | 23–28 | 23–32 | 23–32 | 30–33 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–25 / 29–33 | 20–25 / 28–32 | 20–28 / 28–39 | 20–28 / 28–39 | 27–30 / 36–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–370 | 317–386 | 278–386 | 277–377 | 267–293 | |
| Complaints filed | 686 | 132 | 226 | 117 | 138 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 18 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Mazda 3 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Mazda 3?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 40 of 226 NHTSA complaints (18%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Mazda 3 get?
EPA rates it 23–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Mazda 3?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 278 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 287 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 32 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 19 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE · Campaign 16V644000 · Sep 6, 2016
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.