MAZDA MAZDA2 · model year

2012 MAZDA MAZDA2

13 NHTSA complaints. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012MAZDAMAZDA2 carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2012 MAZDA2 is air bags with 3 filings, followed by service brakes (2) and steering (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2012 MAZDA2, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

13
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 - Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS3
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SUSPENSION1
SEATS1

Recent Complaints

20240305SEATS

My wife and daughter and I were driving out of the driveway. The driver's seat came completely detached from the frame and I ended up rotated and laying backwards in the driver seat. This is extremely dangerous and could cause serious injury or death. This was a recall for 2010 and 2011 models but this was manufactured in 12/11 so it didn't fall into the recall. This is exactly the issue that was described in the recall.

20200501SERVICE BRAKES

STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. HOWEVER, ON 4/30/2020 UPON TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH WENT OUT AND SWERVED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE RAMP BARRIERS AND FORTUNATELY MADE IT ONTO A SHOULDER WITH OUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING A BARRIER. HAD TO BE TOWED TO MAZDA DEALER FOR SERVICE.

Mileage: 72,000

20200501STEERING

STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. HOWEVER, ON 4/30/2020 UPON TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH WENT OUT AND SWERVED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE RAMP BARRIERS AND FORTUNATELY MADE IT ONTO A SHOULDER WITH OUT GETTING HIT OR HITTING A BARRIER. HAD TO BE TOWED TO MAZDA DEALER FOR SERVICE.

Mileage: 72,000

20190801AIR BAGS

AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS ON. AND THE DEALER TRYIN TO FIX IT BUT CAME AGAIN.

20190801VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS ON. AND THE DEALER TRYIN TO FIX IT BUT CAME AGAIN.

20190801SUSPENSION

AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. ALSO, THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS ON. AND THE DEALER TRYIN TO FIX IT BUT CAME AGAIN.

20170919AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170805AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20160426STEERING

MY 2012 MAZDA HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2013 WHEN IT HAD 35,570 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A RENTAL-CAR SALE LOT, I NOTICED A SLIGHT "HITCH" IN THE STEERING IF THE WHEELS WERE TURNED FAR TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. BUT THE ANOMALY WAS VERY SLIGHT AND THE STEERING OTHERWISE FUNCTIONED SMOOTHLY. LATELY THE "HITCH" IN THE STEERING GOT NOTICEABLY WORSE, WITH "HITCHES" DEVELOPING EVERY FEW DEGREES OF TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FACTORY AUTHORIZED MAZDA SHOP THAT DOES MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ADVISED ME TO HAVE MY STEERING DIAGNOSED. TODAY, I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW STEERING RACK AND A STEERING ALIGNMENT. IN TOTAL THE WORK WILL COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1700. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS CONSIDERED "PRETTY MUCH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND THAT NO MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY COVERS THE REPAIR. I'VE DRIVEN SEVERAL CARS OVER 100,000 MILES WITHOUT NEEDING TO HAVE THEIR STEERING SERVICED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING O

Mileage: 41,600

20140623SERVICE BRAKES

I PURCHASED A MAZDA2 ON APRIL30TH 2012. AT APPROXIMATELY 850 MILES, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT (TOWSON MAZDA), BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY EVERY 5,000 MILES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. OVER THE COURSE OF 6-8 VISITS, THE DEALER HAS MACHINED THE ROTORS AND ACTUALLY REPLACED THE ROTORS TWICE (OR SO THEY SAID...). AFTER 3,000 - 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING EACH TIME, A VIBRATION BEGINS AND QUICKLY LEADS TO VIOLENT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEN BRAKING FROM ANY SIGNIFICANT SPEED (30 + MPH). ESPECIALLY VIOLENT WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO AN EXIT RAMP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN JUST SHORT OF THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY AT 36,000. THE REGIONAL MANAGER SUPPOSEDLY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO TELL ME THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE BRAKE PROBLEM ON AN "AS NEEDED BASIS" AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSU

Mileage: 850

20140304ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP IS NO LONGER LIT, BUT THE ENGINE LAMP REMAINS LIT. THE CAR THEN RESPONDS NORMALLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY SAY THE ENGINE CODE IS P2299. THE DEALER (RICART) STATES THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I HAD NO PROBLEMS GOING TO WORK (APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES - 2/25/2014). WHEN I LEFT WORK FOR HOME, I WENT APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES BEFORE A RECURRENCE @ 55 MPH. ON THE WAY TO WORK THE NEXT DAY (2/26/2014) THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AFTER 8 MILES @ ABOUT 55 MPH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, AFTER ABOUT 7 MILES THE PROBLEM RECURRED @ ABOUT 55 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 2/27/2014. ALON

Mileage: 15,173

20140304FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I BOUGHT MY MAZDA 2 NEW FROM RICART MAZDA, AND TAKE IT THERE FOR SERVICE. AS I DRIVE AT A STEADY SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP AND ENGINE LAMPS LIGHT AND STAYS LIT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THE CAR IDLES HIGHER, JUST LESS THAN 2000 RPMS. I MUST TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP IS NO LONGER LIT, BUT THE ENGINE LAMP REMAINS LIT. THE CAR THEN RESPONDS NORMALLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THEY SAY THE ENGINE CODE IS P2299. THE DEALER (RICART) STATES THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I HAD NO PROBLEMS GOING TO WORK (APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES - 2/25/2014). WHEN I LEFT WORK FOR HOME, I WENT APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES BEFORE A RECURRENCE @ 55 MPH. ON THE WAY TO WORK THE NEXT DAY (2/26/2014) THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AFTER 8 MILES @ ABOUT 55 MPH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, AFTER ABOUT 7 MILES THE PROBLEM RECURRED @ ABOUT 55 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 2/27/2014. ALON

Mileage: 15,173

20120426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DESIGN TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESUME ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 06/07/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL LEVER FOR THE BRAKE EXTENDED OUTWARD TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR. HER FOOT BECAME CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL ONCE AND HER HUSBANDS FOOT WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE ONCE AS WELL. UPDATED 06/11/12

Mileage: 300

Compare 2012MAZDAMAZDA2 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2 have?
The 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2 has 13 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2?
The 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2?
The most-complained component for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2 is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and STEERING.
Is the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2012 MAZDA MAZDA2; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.