2012 Mazda Mazda2 problems
The Mazda2 is a subcompact/supermini (B-segment) car manufactured and marketed by Mazda since 2002, currently in its third generation. An entry-level model of the brand in markets outside Japan, the Mazda2 is positioned below the Mazda3. The Mazda2 has also been marketed as the Mazda Demio (a name it kept in the Japanese market until 2019), while its direct predecessor was exported as the Mazda 121.
The second-generation Mazda2 earned the 2008 World Car of the Year title, while the third-generation model was awarded the 2014–2015 Japanese Car of the Year.
The third-generation model was sold in North America as the Scion iA and Toyota Yaris, Yaris iA and Yaris R.
A separate, petrol-hybrid version based on the Toyota Yaris Hybrid has been sold in Europe under the same Mazda2 nameplate since 2022 alongside the petrol-powered third-generation Mazda2.
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Common 2012 Mazda Mazda2 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Mazda Mazda2 2012, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:
- DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) Problems: Some drivers have experienced clogging issues with the DPF, leading to the illumination of the DPF warning light. This problem is more likely to occur with frequent short journeys, preventing the engine from reaching optimal temperatures. The average cost for a DPF clean on the Mazda 2 is £186.77.
- Air Conditioning System: Owners have noted difficulties with the air conditioning system, resulting in inadequate cooling. Potential causes include a failed blower motor or refrigerant gas leakage, leading to poor cooling in the cabin. The average cost for a car air conditioning repair on the Mazda 2 is £94.14.
- Reliability Concerns: Despite Mazda's reputation for reliability, the Mazda 2 model ranks 19th out of 23 cars in the 2019 What Car? Reliability survey. This places it below major rivals like the Hyundai i20, Ford Fiesta, and Skoda Fabia. Additionally, the Mazda 2 received a relatively average safety rating of four out of five stars in the 2015 Euro NCAP crash test.
These common problems reported by owners of the Mazda Mazda2 2012 highlight key areas of concern that potential buyers and current owners should be aware of to ensure proper maintenance and timely repairs.
What are the most common problems with Mazda 2?
Some of the common problems with the Mazda 2 include:
- Clutch problems.
- Diesel Particulate Filter problems.
- Air conditioning problems.
How long does a Mazda 2 engine last?
What is Mazda 2 lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Mazda 2 is 183,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
Is A Mazda 2 a reliable car?
Reliability Survey, the Mazda 2 placed 12th out of 28 cars in the small car class. As a brand, Mazda ranked eighth out of 32 manufacturers featured.
Is Mazda 2 expensive to maintain?
Most model variants have their insurance groups in the teens (out of 50), meaning it should be a relatively inexpensive car to insure. Servicing costs are not quite as cheap as those of mainstream rivals, but they aren't the worst out there. You can buy a three-year service plan of the 2 from Mazda for £699.
2012 Mazda Mazda2 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Mazda2 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Air bags problems
- Steering problems
- Seats problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Mazda Mazda2 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2012 Mazda Mazda2 complaints
The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Mazda Mazda2.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-04
- VIN: JM1DE1KY2C0
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: 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.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-04-30
- VIN: JM1DE1KY6C0
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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.
SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-08-01
- VIN: JM1DE1KYXC0
- Components: SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-01
- VIN: JM1DE1LYXC0
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-08-05
- VIN: JM1DE1KY1C0
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-13
- VIN: JM1DE1KY8C0
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 OF MY MAZDA AND THAT MAZDA SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THE RACK REPLACED AND THE STEERING ALIGNED.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-05-30
- VIN: JM1DE1LZ3C0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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 ISSUE AT APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES. AT WHICH POINT, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST WITH ME ON ANOTHER ROTOR REPLACEMENT, AND THEN THEY WERE FINISHED WITH ME. I AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AT APPROXIMATELY 46,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING MORE. I NOW HAVE 49,000 ON THE VEHICLE, AND THE VIOLENT VIBRATION IS WORSE THAN EVER. 4 WEEKS AGO, AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER, I CALLED THE MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND EXPLAINED MY ENTIRE COMPLAINT. THEY FINALLY CALLED BACK AFTER 5 DAYS ONLY TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY WERE WILLING TO DO, AND THERE WAS NO METHOD BY WHICH I COULD ESCALATE THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE OWNED 7 NEW VEHICLES IN MY LIFE. NEVER HAD BRAKE ISSUES EVERY 5,000 MILES WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. IT IS MORE THAN ANNOYING. IT IS DANGEROUS. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE I CAN GO TO PURSUE THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-25
- VIN: JM1DE1KY4C0
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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. ALONG THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 9 MILES @ ABOUT 65 MPH, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I LEFT THE CAR FOR THE WEEKEND, AND PICKED IT UP 3/2/2014. THE DEALER (RICART) STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. ON MY WAY TO WORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER ABOUT 7 MILES @ ABOUT 35 MPH. THE SAME EVENING, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AFTER ABOUT 5 MILES @ ABOUT 40 MPH THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR 3/3/2014. IN EVERY INCIDENT (TWICE PER DAY AFTER THE CAR HAS NOT RUN FOR AT LEAST 8 HOURS), THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP LIGHTS AND STAYS LIT, AFTER A FEW MILES (5 -10 THUS FAR). IN ORDER TO PROCEED NORMALLY, I MUST GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART. UPON RESTARTING, THE TRACTION CONTROL LAMP NO LONGER LIGHTS, BUT THE ENGINE CONTROL LAMP REMAINS LIT. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-04-24
- VIN: JM1DE1KY2C0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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
Negative 2012 Mazda Mazda2 car reviews
Positive 2012 Mazda Mazda2 car reviews
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I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to share my experience with my 2012 car. It's been two years and I've put 31000 miles on it. I must say, the manual transmission, steering, and handling are all top-notch for a car in this class. Plus, having 4 doors on a subcompact hatchback is a great feature. If you're in the market for an affordable, practical, and fun car, this is definitely the one to consider!
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I hope this helps! If you're in the market for a high-end sports car, this might not be the one for you. However, with its 5-speed transmission, this car has plenty of power and is a joy to drive. The seats are firm but not uncomfortable, and the car's design makes it handle like a go-kart. It does pick up bumps on the road, but it also holds the road like glue. If you're driving mostly on the highway, you can expect to average around 38 mpg with premium gas (which I recommend for optimal performance). For an extra performance boost, I suggest investing in a K&N air filter - it's a bit pricey, but it's washable and will save you money in the long run. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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I bought this car on a whim. While at a Mazda dealership with a friend to get their car washed, I looked around the lot and ended up buying this wonderful car after four hours and two test drives. I had a 2000 Toyota Camry before this one and I loved it so very much. I wanted a new one, but with Toyota's recalls, I wasn't sure. After test driving this car and realizing what a good deal it was for the mpg, price, and everything, I was set. As a delivery driver, this car gets a lot of use, and I've already driven over 2000 miles since buying it at the end of June. It's very fun to drive, has great space in the car for being so tiny, a roomy trunk, and it's pretty quick for such a small engine.
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This tiny car packs plenty of power and comfort. As someone who is 6.3, I can say that I'm quite comfortable with the amount of space it provides. While I do wish cruise control was a standard feature, the engine is very quiet even at highway speeds. However, you may hear some noise from the highway. The car handles very well and you won't feel like you're in a golf cart. It also holds to the road nicely, especially if you have appropriate tires installed. The technology is simple but easy to use and works well. The MPG is about average at 31-33 combined, and probably even more with a manual transmission. The automatic transmission is smooth and shifts down and moves when needed. It's a great value for the money and there have been no major recalls like the Fiesta. Overall, it's a nice little car that won't disappoint.
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This car is fantastic! It has great gas mileage and is a blast to drive. I completely agree with all of the positive reviews. After searching for a car for 5 months, I was feeling pretty exhausted. However, when my mom and I stumbled upon this Volkswagen at the dealership, I knew it was the one for me. It's the best car I've ever owned and I hope to enjoy it for many years to come. The interior is perfect and I love how easy it is to clean and how comfortable it is. I would definitely buy it again!
Additional sources
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Other years of Mazda Mazda2
Are you having problems with your 2012 Mazda Mazda2?
Lorenz Sporer 2024-07-10
This is a fantastic little car if you're looking for excellent gas mileage with minimal maintenance costs. It's a hatchback, so when you fold down the back seats, you can fit quite a bit of stuff in the back. The only downside I've found is its size, as it can be difficult to spot in parking lots behind larger cars. Overall, it's a great car for anyone seeking excellent gas mileage, ample storage space, ease of driving, and comfort. It's the perfect little car!
Grady Botsford 2024-06-10
I purchased my 2011 Mazda 2 brand new in November 2010 and initially wrote a glowing review about how fun it is to drive. However, I have had some issues with it, especially with the brakes, since hitting 15k miles. The dealer tells me that the brakes are safe and that the squeaking is due to the brake pad composition, but it's still embarrassing when it squeaks at both low and high speeds. Additionally, I had to flush the transmission at 20k miles because the fluid it comes with is cheap junk. Despite these issues, I have decided to trade it in for a Honda Fit this weekend. As a buyer, I have decided to avoid Mazdas in the future. I would recommend considering a car with a better warranty and saving your money for a bigger payment.
Arnoldo Schmitt 2024-05-08
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my cars. I had a 2002 Protege5 for nine years, which was the longest I've ever had a car. I really enjoyed it and it still looked good, but I was ready for a change, so I decided to buy the 2011 Mazda 2 hatchback. Unfortunately, it hasn't been the best fit for me. It's a bit too light and skips all over the road, and the trunk and back seat are too small. The fuel economy hasn't been great either, but I'm hoping to trade it in before any major issues arise. Despite these challenges, I've only put 12K miles on it and have taken two round trips, each less than 1000 miles. I'm actually planning another 800 mile round trip in two weeks! I'm a bit disappointed that the 2011 model hasn't lived up to my expectations, especially compared to my trusty 2002 Protege5. Thanks for listening!
Micheal Cronin 2024-03-22
My wife and I were in the market for a smaller car with better gas mileage than our 96 Maxima. We considered several options, including the Toyota Yaris, Prius C, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta, and Chevy Sonic. Ultimately, we chose the Mazda 2 because it and the Fit were the only two assembled in Japan, and I value Japanese quality. While we've only had the car for 5 weeks and I'm not thrilled with the dealership, I'm hopeful that things will improve. I did experience some discomfort after a 2-hour drive, but I understand that it's not a car designed for long road trips. Additionally, the gas mileage hasn't quite lived up to the advertised numbers, but I've always gotten better mileage than the window sticker suggests.