Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mazda mz5 (na). The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v644000 (structure); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Mazda MX-5 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2012 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (1) and the body, doors & structure (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2011 has 1 and the 2013 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical MX-5 year, for its age
#239 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 Mazda MX-5 problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 2012 Mazda MX-5
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Mazda MX-5. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
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5 complaints about the 2012 Mazda MX-5
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mazda mx-5. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The vin was unavailable.
Passenger side air bag light comes on saying the air bag is not on. Happens intermittently. My wife weighs 101 lbs. I have contacted miata usa today and my dealer (3rd time). So far no satisfaction. I'm bringing the car in 08/01/2014 again. I spoke to mazda usa today (07/09/14). In not so many words I was told that my wife wasn't positioned properly in the seat or that she doesn't weigh enough. That is an absurd answer. I then asked what if a child was in the seat. I was told that they could not conjecture...
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on that possibility. They said it was up to the dealer to find a solution. [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
I purchased the new miata on 4/23. When going over the functions with the salesman, he pulled the emergency brake up very hard. I was not able to released it with both hands. He apologized for pulling it up too far & said that was not necessary. I used the brake a number of times as I drove the car with him and there was a distinct spot where the brake would stop, which I assumed meant it was engaged. I asked the salesman for any feedback he had about how I was driving. He was positive. The next day, with 77 total...
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miles on the odometer, and the emergency brake engaged, the car rolled from a relatively flat area where it was parked, down an embankment, into the woods and the front end is destroyed. The tow truck driver told me he didn't think the brake was fully engaged, got into the car & pulled the brake into the position again that I was not able to unlock even with both hands. I showed him the position I had put it in. He said he understood the problem'that the seat needed to be farther back to get a good position to release the emergency brake, and with the forward seat position I used to reach the clutch, that I was not able to pull back hard enough on the brake. I'm 5'3". This is a problem. I should add that the car was not in gear when this happened. It was in neutral, which I understand now is not a good idea. However, I have to believe the emergency brake is designed to hold a car on a flat surface without rolling, otherwise it's not much good in an emergency. If women with the seat in a forward position are not able to sufficiently engage the brake, I consider this a very dangerous design flaw. I wish the sale man had spent less time showing me how the radio works, and more time explaining the hazards of the emergency brake. *Tr
2012 Mazda miata sun visors do not rotate left to right, making morning southbound drive and evening northbound drive dangerous, as left hand is occupied blocking sun, and right hand required to operate both manual transmission and steering. Result is, there is an accident waiting to happen. *Tr
Mazda MX-5: every year compared
All MX-5 years2012 Mazda MX-5 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mazda MX-5 | 5 | 0 | B | |
| 2012 Dodge Charger | 648 | 14 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Dodge Challenger | 253 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Chevrolet Camaro | 113 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Chevrolet Corvette | 56 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Volkswagen GTI | 40 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Nissan 370Z | 16 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2012 Subaru WRX | 2 | 12 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Ford Mustang | 0 | 7 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2012 Mazda MX-5
Does the 2012 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Mazda MX-5 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda MX-5?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (1), body, doors & structure (1), brakes (1).
How many complaints has the 2012 Mazda MX-5 had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 10, 2012 and the latest on February 8, 2017. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Mazda MX-5 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 68 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Mazda MX-5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mazda MX-5 years have the most complaints?
2016 (34), 2017 (11), 2019 (11). See every Mazda MX-5 year compared.
What should I do if my 2012 Mazda MX-5 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data