Total Complaints
45 filings
MAZDA MAZDA5 · model year
45 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012MAZDAMAZDA5 carries 45 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 9 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.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 MAZDA5 is fuel/propulsion system with 8 filings, followed by tires (7) and structure:body (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2012 MAZDA5, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
45 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| TIRES | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 5 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
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,
Sentury Touring (Discount Tire) 205/55/R16. Both front tires have inner wear to the point of shredding in the same location on *both* front tires. Both tires went out at the same time and could have caused a serious accident. Discount tire stated it was an alignment issue. The alignment shop (30 minutes after new tires were installed after dual blowout) stated that my alignment was perfectly within spec and also stated there was no indication of tire rub on any portion of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda MZ5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Mileage: 118,000
This vehicle ejects a significant amount of fuel from its fuel filler port during every refueling. The volume of fuel and the distance the gasoline travels in a hazardous environment poses an avoidable risk that can result in a catastrophic event with potential fatalities. In addition, the cumulative quantity of fuel needlessly spilled negatively impacts the environment at a time of heightened environmental concerns. For these reasons, this known issue should be elevated from a simple technical service bulletin (#01-013-15-3048) to a safety recall before fatalities result from a known manufacturing defect.
During July of 2021 brake pedal went all the way down with no braking. Pumping the pedal restored braking. After the 3rd incident, had the master cylinder replaced on July 30, 2021 by certified mechanics. Brakes seemed fine, but on Aug 11, 2021 brake pedal went all the way down producing no braking on 3 occasions. Pumping the pedal restored braking. Took vehicle back to garage. Mechanics have not gotten it to fail. Possible new parts are bad? Could anti lock brake system cause this? Its been a really good car for 155,000 miles, but now I'm afraid to drive it.
Mileage: 155,000
The Mazda5 has a TSB on the issue, 01-013/15. What I am attempting to find out is why this isn't a recall. When the failure occurs, the fuelling of the vehicle doesn't shut off the nozzle. What happens is fuel comes spraying out of the opening, getting over the ground, the vehicle, and in most cases the person fueling the vehicle. My vehicle has been dong this almost since new. When I reported it early on, Mazda blamed the fuel pumps in my area. The next time I went in I presented the TSB but they still wanted me to pay for diagnostic procedures and even potentially for the repair. I think that's ridiculous. From what I understand, it's very common, common enough to have a TSB. Since it does cause environmental issues and safety issues by splashing gasoline on skin, clothing, and potentially could be ignited, well, why isn't this a recall? I do find the TSB to be carefully worded to specifically NOT say what actually happens, making it look like an inconvenience and not a
REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED BY TRUCK GOING UNDER 20 MPH. OUR HEADS STRUCK HEADRESTS AND DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS INSTANTLY RECLINED BACK ONTO FRONT OF CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS. THEY'RE LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT THE KNEES IF THEY WERE IN THE ACCIDENT. OUR NECKS WERE SORE FROM WHIPLASH.
Mileage: 110,300
REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED BY TRUCK GOING UNDER 20 MPH. OUR HEADS STRUCK HEADRESTS AND DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS INSTANTLY RECLINED BACK ONTO FRONT OF CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS. THEY'RE LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT THE KNEES IF THEY WERE IN THE ACCIDENT. OUR NECKS WERE SORE FROM WHIPLASH.
Mileage: 110,300
IT'S VERY COMMON IN THE MAZDA 5 CARS FOR THE EMISSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL OFTEN AND AFFECTS THE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF FUEL, MONEY ETC. IT'S ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE EVAP LEAKS COULD RELEASE FUEL VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POLLUTING IT. AS WELL AS FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO THE FUEL LEAKS. I'VE NOTICED MANY CUSTOMERS APPROACHING THE DEALER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH KIND OF GIVES US THE FEELING THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA5 VEHICLES.
Mileage: 122,000
IT'S VERY COMMON IN THE MAZDA 5 CARS FOR THE EMISSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL OFTEN AND AFFECTS THE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF FUEL, MONEY ETC. IT'S ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE EVAP LEAKS COULD RELEASE FUEL VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POLLUTING IT. AS WELL AS FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO THE FUEL LEAKS. I'VE NOTICED MANY CUSTOMERS APPROACHING THE DEALER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH KIND OF GIVES US THE FEELING THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA5 VEHICLES.
Mileage: 122,000
IT'S VERY COMMON IN THE MAZDA 5 CARS FOR THE EMISSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL OFTEN AND AFFECTS THE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF FUEL, MONEY ETC. IT'S ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE EVAP LEAKS COULD RELEASE FUEL VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POLLUTING IT. AS WELL AS FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO THE FUEL LEAKS. I'VE NOTICED MANY CUSTOMERS APPROACHING THE DEALER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH KIND OF GIVES US THE FEELING THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA5 VEHICLES.
Mileage: 122,000
WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL GOT REALLY HARDEN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I NEARLY CRASH. I WAS LUCKY I WAS GOING SLOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MORE THAN 1 OCASSION. I WAS DRIVING IN CITY.
Mileage: 65,000
EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK GAS SHOOTS OUT THE FILLER RECEPTICAL. I MUST ALWAYS STAND AWAY FROM THE FILLER TO AVOID GETTING ANY GAS ON MYSELF. GAS RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I HAD TO GIVE A DATE BELOW BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS.
Mileage: 39,000
MY ENGINE THREW A ROD. NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. NO SMELL OF OIL. OIL WAS DRY. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE ON CAR AND CAR WAS NOT VERY OLD. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR ON 2012 MAZDA 5.
Mileage: 60,000
MY ENGINE THREW A ROD. NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. NO SMELL OF OIL. OIL WAS DRY. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE ON CAR AND CAR WAS NOT VERY OLD. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR ON 2012 MAZDA 5.
Mileage: 60,000
LIFT GATE SUPPORTS - URGENT SAFETY RECALL RECEIVED- CARDINALE MAZDA PEORIA, AZ, REFUSES TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS-
Mileage: 85,475
LIFT GATE SUPPORTS - URGENT SAFETY RECALL RECEIVED- CARDINALE MAZDA PEORIA, AZ, REFUSES TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS-
Mileage: 85,475
WHEN PUT INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, THIS VEHICLE DRIVES IN REVERSE. IT CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY BACK INTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AFTER GETTING OFF THE ROAD IN 3RD GEAR, MULTIPLE DRIVERS HAVE TESTED THIS WITH THE SAME RESULT... THE VEHICLE TRAVELS IN REVERSE WHILE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THIS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 67,000
LIFTGATE STRUTS WHICH ACCORDING TO MAZDA WERE REPLACED PURSUANT TO RECALL FAILED CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL RESULTING IN MINOR INJURY TO MY HAND.
Mileage: 10,800
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STOP OR MOVING SLOWLY IT PERIODICALLY ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. I MAKE SURE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO PREVENT AN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. IT TENDS TO ACCELERATE AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND ABOUT TO STEP ON THE GAS FROM A STOP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN, WHILE GETTING OFF A FWY OR WHILE PARKED.
Mileage: 91,000
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Front Subframe Corrosion
Lower ball joint separation
Brake Booster Failure
Data as of 2025. 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.