2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

32Engine complaints

14.2%Of all 226 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN38 · 16.8%

ENGINE32 · 14.2%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING31 · 13.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24 · 10.6%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20 · 8.8%

Share of the 226 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 overview page.

What owners report

“I JUST GOT OFF WORK AND GOT IN MY CAR TO LEAVE. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. I PULLED OUT OF…”NHTSA complaint 10778627 — filed 09/30/2015

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY - I WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. THE CAR LOST SORT…”NHTSA complaint 10669995 — filed 01/04/2015

“DRIVING AT APPROX 45MPH, CAR LOST ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING, AND MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS ON. CAR MOVED TO SITE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO DEALER.”NHTSA complaint 10668640 — filed 12/29/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3: 32 of 226 complaints on file (14.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 have in total?

226 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.