Most common 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazdaspeed3 complaints by model year
Best Mazdaspeed3 years: 2011, 2012. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2010. Compare all years →
2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 recalls (1)
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
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…
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.
What 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 owners say
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 Dealer replaced trans under warranty but advised transmission warranty was no longer valid.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 gear then out of gear causing me to be unable to accelerate, and causing a major accident risk.
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 clutch in" for about 400 miles. Well, we made it to 125 miles on the odometer and the same exact thing happened. Except this time, I was driving about 40mph on a busy road when the clutch went out. Luckily my three young children were not in the car. There is no possible way in owning a vehicle for a mere 2.5 days in our hands we have blown two clutches or the vehicle have any wear or tear. Now they want our money to fix a car I have had for 2.5 days. …
2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Mazdaspeed3 rates better than average: 76% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Mazdaspeed3 at the same age. It is one of the best Mazdaspeed3 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (1) and lights (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3, the most recent from September 6, 2016 (hatchback/liftgate). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazdaspeed3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008 and 2010. See the full Mazda Mazdaspeed3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.