2012 Mazda MAZDA5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
43,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 37 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 21.6% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 8.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Tires: 7; Structure:Body: 5; Air Bags: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Steering: 4; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2024: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10469121 · 2012-08-03 (August 3, 2012)
STARTING A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED AS I WAS BRAKING. IT WAS INTERMITTENT. IN MAY, THE SHAKING DISAPPEARED BUT A SLIGHT GRINDING SENSATION(NO NOISE) COULD BE FELT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DIDN'T THINK IS WAS A BRAKE WEAR PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS RELATIVELY NEW AND I LIVE IN A FLAT AREA WITH NO UNUSUAL STRESS ON THE BRAKES. I WAS ON VACATION FOR A FEW MONTHS AND DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT ONCE AND FELT IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF WEAK BRAKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHEN I RETURNED. MY BRAKING …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469861 · 2012-08-07 (August 7, 2012)
CPSC: I1280026A. 2012 MAZDA 5. CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS CAR WOULD HYDROPLANE WHEN HE DROVE IN RAIN, DUE TO THE TYPE OF TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. *LN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES NEEDED A BETTER DESIGN TO CHANNEL THE RAIN OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THEM. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW SET OF TIRES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10469861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476557 · 2012-09-20 (September 20, 2012)
I HAD NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKING SLIGHTLY WHEN SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN MY MAZDA5 HAD 13000 MILES. I SERVICED MY CAR AT 18000 MILES FOR AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, AT THIS TIME MY BRAKES WERE AT .08MM AND IN GOOD CONDITION. DURING AND AFTER MY TRIP THE STEERING VIBRATION BECAME SO EXTREME WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT I AVOIDED FURTHER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR SAFETY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND THEY CHECKED MY ROTORS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT "RUN OUT LIMIT" ON ROTORS IS .04MM AND MINE WERE AT .06MM AND W…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10484074 · 2012-11-12 (November 12, 2012)
WE WERE REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT, AND THE FRONT SEATS FAILED AND RECLINED WHEN WE WERE REAR ENDED. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH US SINCE WE WERE FORCED TO RECLINE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10484074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510869 · 2013-05-06 (May 6, 2013)
FINDING MULTIPLE YELLOW SPIDERS IN THE CAB OF THE OF OUR CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10526152 · 2013-07-22 (July 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA, MAZDA5 WITH TOYO PROXES ST II TIRES, LINE SIZE P205/50R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CRACKED INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NEW TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AND VEHICLE WAS 22,400. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10526152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10536591 · 2013-08-21 (August 21, 2013)
I HAD 3,000 MILES ON MY 2012 MAZDA 5 WHEN I FIRST COMPLAINED TO A MAZDA DEALER THAT MY CAR WOULD WOBBLE WHEN GOING FORWARD INTO A RIGHT TURN AND IN REVERSE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN.'SOMETHING' WOULD ALWAYS CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE WHEN I COMPLAINED DURING MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES. RECENTLY AT 25,000 MILES A DEALER FINALLY TOLD ME MY ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND SO THEY WERE GOING TO GROUND THEM DOWN TO MAKE THEM STRAIGHT. I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT BUT THEY SAID NO. I WOULD NOT EXPECT NOR HAVE I EVER SEEN ROTORS WEAR DOWN BEFORE YEARS OF SERVICE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10553787 · 2013-11-25 (November 25, 2013)
2012 MAZDA5. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE VIBRATION AND THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES / TIRES. THEY SAID THE TIRES BALANCES FINE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AT 70 MPH. HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES HARD, HAD A TERRIBLE VIBRATION FROM THE HITTING THE BRAKES/TIRES. I HAD THE TIRES LOOK INTO AT 18,000 MILES, THEY SAID NO PROBLEM, THEN AT 22,000, CANT FIND ANY ISSUES, THEY SAID THAT THESE TIRES WEAR FAST AND THAT'S THE WAY THE LOW PROFILE TIRES ARE, NOW I WILL TAKE IT IN AT 25,000 MILES AND SEE WHA…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10553787 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V644000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
Reported: 2016-09-06 (September 6, 2016)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗