2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
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 DROVE OVER BUMPY RAIL ROAD TRACKS, WENT TO GIVE IT GAS TO GO AND ENGINE REVVED BUT NO ACCELERATION. DASH LIGHT THAT NORMALLY SAYS…”NHTSA complaint 10690511 — filed 02/25/2015
“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR A WEEK; THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AND TO BRING IT IN AT ANY…”NHTSA complaint 10660499 — filed 11/24/2014
“WE WERE JUST RETURNING FROM A TRIP OF 9 DAYS WHICH CONTAINED MANY HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY HOURS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CAR HAS 20000 MILES ON…”NHTSA complaint 10628691 — filed 08/27/2014
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3: 38 of 226 complaints on file (16.8%). 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 power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
