Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | −75% | 2 | — | Average |
| 2014 | 9 | −40% | 1 | Suspension | Good |
| 2013 | 13 | 1.5× | 1 | Steering | Caution |
| 2012 | 9 | −33% | — | Brake | Average |
| 2011 | 17 | 1.5× | 1 | Steering | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Mazda2 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mazda Mazda2 problems
Latest Mazda Mazda2 recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Mazda2 vehicles. The headlights are missing adjustment prevention caps, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted.
Remedy: Dealers will install the missing adjustment prevention caps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners in Puerto Rico may contact Mazda customer service at (787) 620-7546.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Seats
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to…
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017.
Steering
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured…
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mazda Mazda2 should you avoid?
2011 and 2013 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Mazda2 years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2011.
What is the best year for the Mazda Mazda2?
2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Mazda2 years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mazda Mazda2 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (17), seats (8) and air bags (6). Steering complaints peak in the 2011 model year.
How many recalls has the Mazda Mazda2 had?
4 recalls across 2011–2020. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Mazda Mazda2 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.