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.
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
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.
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 2013-2016CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015.
NHTSA listing: MAZDA3. Mazda campaign 9916H.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation that names the 2012 Mazda3; it is still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Engineering analysis EA21002Open since Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant - propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
NHTSA listing: MAZDA3. Component: Air bags (frontal, driver side, inflator module, passenger side). This investigation names 352 models.
An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda3. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Headlight or exterior light problems26 · 12%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode21 · 9%
Median 22,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Median 20,000 miles at failure, from 37 reports with mileage
Engine32 · 14%
Median 20,000 miles at failure, from 31 reports with mileage
Exterior lighting31 · 14%
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Electrical system25 · 11%
Median 62,000 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
Speed control20 · 9%
Median 12,000 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system18 · 8%
Air bags17 · 8%
Unknown or other18 · 8%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Mazda3 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2012 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2010 Mazda3 drew the most (83) and the 2012 drew 68.
Owner complaints
2012: 226 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Mazda3
Model year
Complaints
2010
686
2011
132
2012
226
2013
117
2014
138
2015
130
2016
104
2017
83
2018
108
2019
74
2020
32
2021
52
2022
24
2023
12
2024
12
2025
8
2026
1
Safety recalls
2012: 1 recallTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Mazda3
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
2
2012
1
2013
1
2014
4
2015
4
2016
6
2017
2
2018
4
2019
6
2020
2
2021
1
2022
0
2023
0
2024
3
2025
1
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 226 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Mazda3, the problems described most are headlight or exterior light problems (26), loss of power or limp mode (21), and the check engine light coming on (15). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2012 Mazda3 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2012 Mazda3 earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 Mazda3?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2012 Mazda3: desiccated air bag inflator rupture (EA21002, opened Sep 17, 2021). An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my Mazda3 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Mazda dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: MAZDA3.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.