2012 Mazda Mx-5 problems

General information about Mazda-Mx-5
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-person sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda with a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The convertible is marketed as the Mazda Roadster (マツダ・ロードスター, Matsuda Rōdosutā) or Eunos Roadster (ユーノス・ロードスター, Yūnosu Rōdosutā) in Japan, and as the Mazda Miata (/miˈɑːtə/) in the United States, and formerly in Canada, where it is now marketed as the MX-5 but is still commonly referred to as Miata.

Manufactured at Mazda's Hiroshima plant, the MX-5 debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and was conceived and executed under a tightly focused design credo, Jinba ittai (人馬一体), meaning "oneness of horse and rider". Widely noted for its small, light, technologically modern, dynamically balanced and minimally complex design, the MX-5 has frequently been called a spiritual successor to 1950s and '60s Italian and British roadster sports cars. The Lotus Elan was used as a design benchmark.

Generations were internally designated with a two-letter code, beginning with the first generation, the NA. The second generation (NB) launched in 1998 for MY 1999; followed by the third generation (NC) in 2005 for MY 2006, and the fourth generation (ND) in 2015 for MY 2016.

As the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history, the MX-5 has been marketed globally, with production exceeding one million, as of early 2016. The name miata derives from Old High German for "reward".

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Common 2012 Mazda Mx-5 problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 2012 Mazda MX-5, several common problems have been reported:

Drivetrain Squealing Noise: Another common problem reported by owners is a squealing noise from a different part of the drivetrain, particularly noticeable when moving away quickly from a standstill. This issue can be bothersome and may impact the overall performance of the vehicle.

Fuelling System Stutter: Some owners have experienced an annoying stutter in the fuelling system when the car is slowing down. This issue can be disruptive to the driving experience and may require troubleshooting to resolve effectively.

Brake Calipers Seizing Up: For owners who use their Mazda MX-5 NC rarely, there have been reports of brake calipers seizing up. This can lead to uneven braking, pulling to one side when braking, and overheating of the affected brake components. Regular maintenance and usage are recommended to prevent this issue.

Roof Mechanism Issues: Concerns have been raised about the roof-folding mechanism, particularly in the Coupe Cabriolet model, where the roof can stick half open due to faulty position sensors. Careless owners leaving the roof down in poor weather conditions can lead to damp patches and water damage. Checking the roof operation and ensuring its smooth functionality is crucial to avoid potential issues.

Oil Changes and Timing Belt Maintenance: It is essential to ensure that oil changes have been performed on time, approximately every 10,000 miles, and that the timing belt has been changed regularly every 60,000 miles. Neglecting these maintenance tasks can lead to engine issues and reduced reliability over time.

Wheel Alignment and Rust: Incorrect wheel alignment and rust are significant concerns for the Mazda MX-5. Checking for signs of uneven tire wear due to misaligned wheels and carefully inspecting the bodywork, especially around the wheel arches, for rust is crucial to maintain the vehicle's performance and structural integrity.

These common problems reported by owners of the 2012 Mazda MX-5 highlight the importance of regular maintenance, timely repairs, and thorough inspections to ensure the longevity and reliability of the vehicle.

What is the most common problem with the Mazda MX-5?

Rust. This is by far the miata's. Biggest enemy especially the older ones the most common places where rust may form are in the rocker panels. And fender arches. Front frame rail rust may also be

Are 2012 Miatas reliable?

The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a wonderful car. 100% reliable. In the eighth years I've owned this car, I have never had any kind of mechanical problem whatsoever. 100% fun to drive.

Is the Mazda MX-5 a reliable car?

Is a used Mazda MX-5 sports reliable? In our 2023 used car reliability survey, the Mazda MX-5 was 10th out of 15 cars in the most reliable used sports car class. It scored 89.7%, a little down on its performance the year before. Mazda performed well in our manufacturer table, too.

How long do MX-5 engines last?

Cambelt is none interference so isn't terminal if it goes. Engines in mx5s are pretty reliable. Mines on a relatively low 105k or so. Far more likely to kill one is the body work rotting away before your eyes.

2012 Mazda Mx-5 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Mx-5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Structure problems
Traction control system problems
Engine problems
Air bags problems
Service brakes problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Mazda Mx-5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2012 Mazda Mx-5 complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Mazda Mx-5.

2017-02-08

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2016-10-01
VIN: JM1CW2BL0C0
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MZ5 (NA). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

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2016-11-09

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2016-09-01
Components: TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MX-5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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2014-07-09

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-09-15
VIN: JM1NC2PFXC0
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SAYING THE AIR BAG IS NOT ON. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. MY WIFE WEIGHS 101 LBS. I HAVE CONTACTED MIATA USA TODAY AND MY DEALER (3RD TIME). SO FAR NO SATISFACTION. I'M BRINGING THE CAR IN 08/01/2014 AGAIN. I SPOKE TO MAZDA USA TODAY (07/09/14). IN NOT SO MANY WORDS I WAS TOLD THAT MY WIFE WASN'T POSITIONED PROPERLY IN THE SEAT OR THAT SHE DOESN'T WEIGH ENOUGH. THAT IS AN ABSURD ANSWER. I THEN ASKED WHAT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT CONJECTURE ON THAT POSSIBILITY. THEY SAID IT WAS UP TO THE DEALER TO FIND A SOLUTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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2012-04-26

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-04-24
Crash: 1
VIN: JM1NC2LFXCO
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: I PURCHASED THE NEW MIATA ON 4/23. WHEN GOING OVER THE FUNCTIONS WITH THE SALESMAN, HE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP VERY HARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RELEASED IT WITH BOTH HANDS. HE APOLOGIZED FOR PULLING IT UP TOO FAR & SAID THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY. I USED THE BRAKE A NUMBER OF TIMES AS I DROVE THE CAR WITH HIM AND THERE WAS A DISTINCT SPOT WHERE THE BRAKE WOULD STOP, WHICH I ASSUMED MEANT IT WAS ENGAGED. I ASKED THE SALESMAN FOR ANY FEEDBACK HE HAD ABOUT HOW I WAS DRIVING. HE WAS POSITIVE. THE NEXT DAY, WITH 77 TOTAL MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE CAR ROLLED FROM A RELATIVELY FLAT AREA WHERE IT WAS PARKED, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, INTO THE WOODS AND THE FRONT END IS DESTROYED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME HE DIDN'T THINK THE BRAKE WAS FULLY ENGAGED, GOT INTO THE CAR & PULLED THE BRAKE INTO THE POSITION AGAIN THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS. I SHOWED HIM THE POSITION I HAD PUT IT IN. HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM'THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE FARTHER BACK TO GET A GOOD POSITION TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND WITH THE FORWARD SEAT POSITION I USED TO REACH THE CLUTCH, THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL BACK HARD ENOUGH ON THE BRAKE. I'M 5'3". THIS IS A PROBLEM. I SHOULD ADD THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN GEAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, WHICH I UNDERSTAND NOW IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS DESIGNED TO HOLD A CAR ON A FLAT SURFACE WITHOUT ROLLING, OTHERWISE IT'S NOT MUCH GOOD IN AN EMERGENCY. IF WOMEN WITH THE SEAT IN A FORWARD POSITION ARE NOT ABLE TO SUFFICIENTLY ENGAGE THE BRAKE, I CONSIDER THIS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. I WISH THE SALE MAN HAD SPENT LESS TIME SHOWING ME HOW THE RADIO WORKS, AND MORE TIME EXPLAINING THE HAZARDS OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

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2012-04-10

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-02-26
VIN: JM1NC2PF5C0
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: 2012 MAZDA MIATA SUN VISORS DO NOT ROTATE LEFT TO RIGHT, MAKING MORNING SOUTHBOUND DRIVE AND EVENING NORTHBOUND DRIVE DANGEROUS, AS LEFT HAND IS OCCUPIED BLOCKING SUN, AND RIGHT HAND REQUIRED TO OPERATE BOTH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND STEERING. RESULT IS, THERE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2012 Mazda Mx-5 problems:

Used 2012 2.0 NC common problems? : r/Miata

https://www.reddit.com/r/Miata/comments/lxp4wh/used_2012_20_nc_common_problems/

Mar 4, 2021 ... I'd just worry about service history, does it have everything changed on time? Does it run well? Check the engine bay, check for oil leaks, and ...

What are common Mazda MX-5 Miata issues and problems? - Quora

https://www.quora.com/What-are-common-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-issues-and-problems

Nov 28, 2015 ... I've owned two RX-7s and three MX-5s, earliest was a 1983 & latest is a 2012. · 8y. That's really the best thing about these cars; virtually ...

Potential issues to look out for on low mileage (16,000) 2012 mx5 ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda/comments/172j0uv/potential_issues_to_look_out_for_on_low_mileage/

Oct 7, 2023 ... Potential issues to look out for on low mileage (16,000) 2012 mx5? Title really. Not familiar with the common issues a car like this may present ...