Mazda MAZDA2 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
40,508 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 to 2021 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 47 complaints (36.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 19 | 40.4% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 10.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 17 |
| Seats | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Steering: 17; Seats: 7; Air Bags: 6; Suspension: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3; Tires: 3; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 5; 2016: 1; 2017: 9; 2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10548385 · 2013-10-18 (October 18, 2013)
WHEN SPEEDS UNDER 20MPH THE STEERING RACK RATTLES. CURRENTLY THERE IS A TSB FOR THE REPAIR TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660939 · 2014-11-25 (November 25, 2014)
TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSE A BUMPING SOUND IN STEERING, IT CAN BE FELT. THE STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT ABOUT 50000 MILES AND THE CAR HAS 115000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378040 · 2020-12-05 (December 5, 2020)
WE HAD OUR RACK AND PINION STEERING REPLACED AT THE MAZDA DEALER ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018 DUE TO CLONKING IN THE STEERING RACK. MY SON IS REPORTING THAT THE CLONKING AND STEERING IS MUCH WORSE WHEN SITTING STILL AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEN MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT HAND TURNS WHILE DRIVING. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STEER STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY. I REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS AND FRONT STRUTS IN 2018 AS WELL. I INSPECTED THE STRUTS AND BRAKES AND SUSPENSION TODAY AND FOUND THEM TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I FIND THA…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456610 · 2012-04-26 (April 26, 2012)
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 CAU…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10806242 · 2015-11-23 (November 23, 2015)
AT LOW SPEED DRIVING A CLUNKING NOISE COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING. ON 11-20-2015 THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER DIAGNOSIS SHOWED A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING UNIT AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. DEALER ADVISED THAT NO TSB WAS ISSUED AND SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST UNIT IS A SERIOUS, IF NOT DANGEROUS ,CONDITION THAT SHOULD CAUSE THE NHTSA TO ORDER A RECALL OF THE 2011 MAZDA 2 TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLES ARE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,508 miles reported. Look up ODI 10806242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11202993 · 2019-04-22 (April 22, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 2. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE CD PLAYER AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GROOVE MAZDA (LOCATED AT 10301 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TR*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11202993 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 0; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1