2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the l…
What could happen: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 MAZDASPEED3.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V644000 (manufacturer code 9916H).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
Summary: 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, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (3), Seats (1), Lights (1), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
01/27/2017 · Seats
WHILE DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY, THE SEAT MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND MY SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH FREELY UNDER ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE METAL CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT AND THE SEAT RAIL HAD SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE HAS 68,XXX MILES ON IT AND…
12/11/2016 · Lights
HEADLIGHTS VOLUNTARILY AND UNCONTROLLABLY FLICKERING DURING ROUTINE DRIVING STRAIGHTAWAYS, TURNING, OR ENCOUNTERING BUMPY ROAD. ISSUE ARISES AT VARYING RATES OF SPEED. HAD VEHICLE SINCE 2012 AND NEVER HAD ISSUE. END OF NOV. 2016, TOOK CAR IN FOR 60,000 CHECK-UP. DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW BATTERY. ISSUE BEGAN SHORTLY THEREAFTER. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND CON…
07/19/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
END OF 2013, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RANDOMLY POPPING OUT OF 2ND GEAR AND BACK INTO NEUTRAL. DEALER REBUILT TRANS UNDER WARRANTY AND ALL WAS OKAY UNTIL OCTOBER 2014 WHEN THE SAME ISSUE BEGAN AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED TRANS UNDER WARRANTY BUT ADVISED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. CURRENTLY, JULY 2015, THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN. VEHICLE WILL BE IN…
12/26/2014 · Brakes · crash
DRIVER ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY BRAKING EVENT. BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO MAINTAIN FORM-BENT UNDER MODERATE PRESSURE, ALLOWING BRAKE PEDAL COVER TO FALL OFF RESULTING IN DRIVER'S FOOT TO LOSE CONTACT WITH BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF BRAKES AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *TR
06/03/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
WENT TO SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH, AND THE KNOB FELL INTO TWO PIECES WHILE DRIVING. *TR
10/28/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 MAZDA SPEED3. 17 MILES OFF THE LOT. IN THE 4 MILE DRIVE TO MY HOUSE 15 MINUTES AFTER SIGNING PAPERWORK, THE CLUTCH BLOWS OUT. HAD IT TOWED BACK AND WAS TOLD WE WERE LUCKY THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THIS ITEM IS A "WEAR & TEAR" ITEM BECAUSE GOING 4 MILES IS APPARENTLY TOO LONG. WE WERE TOLD TO "BREAK THE CLUT…