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2012 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most MAZDA3 years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

171 reports with mileage · 55 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

32 reports
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24,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

AFTER TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A LOCAL ROAD,I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS DECELERATING DESPITE THE FACT I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE CAR APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR; I COULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 40 MPH WITHOUT THE RPMS GOING TOO HIGH. THIS CAR HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISS…

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AFTER TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A LOCAL ROAD,I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS DECELERATING DESPITE THE FACT I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND THE CAR APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR; I COULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 40 MPH WITHOUT THE RPMS GOING TOO HIGH. THIS CAR HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I TRIED TURNING OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL BY PRESSING ITS BUTTON, BUT THIS DID NOT WORK. I ALSO TRIED SWITCHING TO MANUAL MODE BUT COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TO SHUTOFF. I FINALLY HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION TO ACT NORMALLY. I HAVE SEEN OTHERS POST A SIMILAR PROBLEM, THOUGH THEY WERE IN MUCH MORE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTS - ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVING TO PULL ACROSS TRAFFIC AND RESTART THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS WEIRD TRANSMISSION-TRACTION CONTROL ISSUE. THIS CREATES FOR AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I AM PETRIFIED OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN IN A SIMILAR SCENARIO. THIS IS SOMETHING MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534399

8,500 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

DATE & MILEAGE APPROXIMATE. I WAS DRIVING 35MPH AND SPED UP TO MERGE 1 LANE TO MY RIGHT SO I WOULDN'T MISS MY TURN. I SPED UP, MAYBE TO 40 AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AT THAT POINT. I AM GLAD I DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED BUT DID GET FLIPPED OFF FOR CUTTING SOMEONE OFF AND SLOWING DOWN. I MADE …

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DATE & MILEAGE APPROXIMATE. I WAS DRIVING 35MPH AND SPED UP TO MERGE 1 LANE TO MY RIGHT SO I WOULDN'T MISS MY TURN. I SPED UP, MAYBE TO 40 AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AT THAT POINT. I AM GLAD I DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED BUT DID GET FLIPPED OFF FOR CUTTING SOMEONE OFF AND SLOWING DOWN. I MADE MY TURN AND HIT THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON BUT IT STAYED LIT. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC WITH THE MANUAL OPTION, I TRIED DRIVING MANUALLY,THE LIGHT DIDN'T GO OFF. I THEN PULLED OVER TRIED THE TRACTION BUTTON AGAIN, IT STAYED LIT. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS WARM AND NICE OUT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, STARTED IT, LIGHT WAS OFF AND IT DROVE FINE. IF THIS HAPPENED AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME HADN'T PAID ATTENTION I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT! I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT HAVING TO CROSS A STREET WHERE THE ONCOMING CAR HAD RIGHT OF WAY AND MY CAR DIDN'T ACCELERATE. ON ANOTHER NOTE I HAVE HAD MY CAR UNLOCK ITSELF 3 TIMES, WHEN I KNOW IT WAS LOCKED WITH THE FOB. THE FOB IS NOT DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. TWICE IN SAME LOCATION WEEKS APART. IT WAS LOCKED, BEEPED THE LIGHTS FLASHED.MY KEYS WERE SET DOWN UNTOUCHED AFTER THAT, NOT IN MY POCKET MOVING AROUND BUT ON THE COUNTER. FIRST TIME I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN; MY CAR GOT RANSACKED. SECOND TIME I KNEW I LOCKED IT, I TOLD MYSELF MAYBE THE CAT STEPPED PERFECTLY ON THE KEY FOB, ON JUST THE UNLOCK BUTTON THAT NIGHT. MY CAR GOT RANSACKED AGAIN BUT TO THEIR SURPRISE NOTHING WAS IN THE CAR AS EVERYTHING WAS STOLEN THE FIRST #@#& TIME! THE THIRD TIME I HAD A WITNESS WATCH ME LOCK THE CAR WITH THE FOB AND I EVEN CHECKED ALL THE HANDLES-LOCKED. WE LEFT THE RESTAURANT, AGAIN UNLOCKED. I CANT LEAVE ANYTHING IN MY CAR BECAUSE I FEAR IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN.. I WONDER IF SOMEONE'S KEY FOB IS ON THE SAME FREQUENCY AND STRANGERS ARE UNLOCKING IT? IM GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP IN A FEW DAYS. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE AND PARK MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519695

12,000 miles · Apr 12, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SKYACTIV 2012 5DR HATCHBACK. I WAS PULLING OUT ON A BACK ROAD THAT WAS 60MPH AND AS SOON AS I PRESSED THE GAS TO SPEED UP WITH TRAFFIC IT WAS AS IF THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SLOWLY ACCELERATED AS I HAD THE GAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. IT VERY SLOWLY SPED UP TO 60MPH A…

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I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SKYACTIV 2012 5DR HATCHBACK. I WAS PULLING OUT ON A BACK ROAD THAT WAS 60MPH AND AS SOON AS I PRESSED THE GAS TO SPEED UP WITH TRAFFIC IT WAS AS IF THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SLOWLY ACCELERATED AS I HAD THE GAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. IT VERY SLOWLY SPED UP TO 60MPH AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. I TRIED PRESSING THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF AND NOTHING HAPPENED. MY WIFE AND I GOT LUNCH AND AFTERWARDS IT WORKED FINE. LAST TIME I WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STALLING ISSUE AND THAT THEY HAD FIXED IT. THIS WAS ABOUT A MONTH OR SO BEFORE I EXPERIENCED THE STALL. BEFORE THEN I HAD NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH STALLING, JUST WITH PULLING OUT ONTO ROADS. THAT LEADS ME TO MENTION THAT THIS CAR DOES NOT DO WELL WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO ROADS. THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND WELL. IT LAGS AND THEN WHEN IT REALIZES YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT PRESSED ON THE GAS IT THROWS YOU BACK INTO YOUR SEAT. IT'S AS IF THE CAR IS IN 3RD GEAR WHEN YOU PULL OUT AND THEN THROWS ITSELF INTO 1ST GEAR. THE CAR FEELS VERY UNSAFE. I WISH I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT MAZDA'S 2012 MAZDA3 SINCE, AFTERALL, IT WAS THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT AT THEIR NEW SKYACTIV ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10506048

8,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SKYACTIV HATCHBACK WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS EXHIBITING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING INTO 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, OR AFTER COASTING IN ONE OF THOSE GEARS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR "SURGES" FORWARD UPON RE-ENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERA…

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MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SKYACTIV HATCHBACK WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS EXHIBITING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING INTO 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, OR AFTER COASTING IN ONE OF THOSE GEARS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR "SURGES" FORWARD UPON RE-ENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS ONLY BEING SLIGHTLY PUSHED, BUT THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT HAS BEEN PUSHED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE WILL EITHER REV TO 3000 TO 4000 RPM, OR THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FORWARD UNTIL EITHER THE BRAKE OR CLUTCH PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ISSUE WAS PRESENTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND I TOLD THEM THAT YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IN THOSE CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT I"VE BEEN DRIVING MANUALS FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS AND DON'T THINK ITS A DRIVER ISSUE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS SITE AND OTHER MAZDA FORUMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY MAZDA!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505882

17,758 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON AT THIS TIME. PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR DID NOTHING. WHEN I SWITCHED THE MANUAL MODE FOR THE TRANSMISSION THE GEAR WAS NOT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD AND TRYING TO UP OR DOWNSHIFT DID NOTHING. AFTER PU…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON AT THIS TIME. PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR DID NOTHING. WHEN I SWITCHED THE MANUAL MODE FOR THE TRANSMISSION THE GEAR WAS NOT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD AND TRYING TO UP OR DOWNSHIFT DID NOTHING. AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND CHECKED FOR FLUID LEAKS OR SPILLS OF WHICH THERE WERE NONE. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND WAITING A COUPLE OF MINUTES I TURNED IT BACK ON AND NOW HAD THE TRACTION CONTROL, AT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS LIT. AFTER PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE AND PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH IN ACCELERATION AND WOULD SHIFT THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR GEARS BUT AT RPMS MUCH HIGHER THAN NORMAL. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE HOME AS THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALREADY CLOSED. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO I TURNED IT BACK ON AND NOW ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT. WILL BE TAKING TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498315

1,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SKYACTIV HATCHBACK WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS EXHIBITING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE SYMPTOMS EXHIBITED ARE CONSISTENT WITH MULTIPLE OTHER REPORTS IN THIS SYSTEM. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING INTO 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, OR AFTER COASTING IN ONE OF THOSE GEARS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR …

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MY 2012 MAZDA 3 SKYACTIV HATCHBACK WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS EXHIBITING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE SYMPTOMS EXHIBITED ARE CONSISTENT WITH MULTIPLE OTHER REPORTS IN THIS SYSTEM. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING INTO 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, OR AFTER COASTING IN ONE OF THOSE GEARS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGED, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR "SURGES" FORWARD UPON RE-ENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS ONLY BEING SLIGHTLY PUSHED, BUT THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT HAS BEEN PUSHED ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE WILL EITHER REV TO 3000 TO 4000 RPM, OR THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FORWARD UNTIL EITHER THE BRAKE OR CLUTCH PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY MAZDA AFTER MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. UPON THE LAST VISIT, A DATA RECORDER WAS INSTALLED AND RECORDED 7 SPECIFIC UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENTS BETWEEN THE DATES OF 11/13/12 AND 11/20/12. ACCORDING TO AN EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM THE DISTRICT SERVICE & PARTS MANAGER FOR DISTRICT 2 OF MAZDA NORTH AMERICA OPERATIONS (MNAO) ON 12/23/12, "THE CONCERN FOUND ON THE DATA RECORDINGS TAKEN FROM YOUR VEHICLE WERE FOUND TO BE A PCM CALIBRATION ISSUE. MAZDA CORPORATION IS WORKING ON A NEW CALIBRATION FOR THE PCM WITH AN UNKNOWN TIME OF COMPLETION." WHEN I REQUESTED THAT MY VEHICLE BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER OF THE SAME MODEL, THIS WAS THE RESPONSE FROM THE SAME DISTRICT SERVICE & PARTS MANAGER: "SINCE THE CALIBRATION OF THE PCM IS THE SAME ON A 2013 LIKE MODEL WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT WOULD NOT BE ADVISED TO TRADE YOU INTO THAT VEHICLE AS IT COULD POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT THE SAME CONCERN DEPENDING ON YOUR DRIVING HABITS AND CONDITIONS." I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM MNAO'S MEDIATION DEPARTMENT REGARDING EITHER REPLACING MY CAR WITH ANOTHER MODEL, OR BUYING BACK THE CAR FROM ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490670

100 miles · Dec 27, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OUT OF A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND CURVE OR TURN, MY 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS IS CHARACTERIZED BY A VARYING INCREASE OF RPMS: 2100 RPMS TO 4500 RPMS, DEPENDING ON THE INCIDENT, AND A SUDDEN LURCHING OR SURGING FORWARD OF THE VEH…

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APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK WHEN DOWNSHIFTING OUT OF A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND CURVE OR TURN, MY 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS IS CHARACTERIZED BY A VARYING INCREASE OF RPMS: 2100 RPMS TO 4500 RPMS, DEPENDING ON THE INCIDENT, AND A SUDDEN LURCHING OR SURGING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLE ITSELF. WHEN APPROACHING CURVES OR TURNS, AT 30 OR 40 MPH, THAT DO NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, I ENGAGE THE CLUTCH, APPLY THE BRAKES, AND SLOW THE VEHICLE TO 15-20 MPH. UPON COMING OUT OF THE TURN I SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. WHEN I SLOWLY RELEASE THE CLUTCH, WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT ALL, THE CAR'S ENGINE WILL REV, RPMS WILL SURGE TO AS HIGH AS 4000 - 4500, AND THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD UNTIL THE CLUTCH IS ONCE AGAIN DEPRESSED. THESE INCIDENTS ARE RANDOM AND ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON SPEED, WEATHER CONDITIONS, OR LOCATION. THESE INCIDENTS HAVE ONLY BEEN DUPLICATED WITH A MINIMAL INCREASE OF RPMS AND NO LURCHING FORWARD WHEN A MECHANIC IS PRESENT. THESE INCIDENTS CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED FOR THE DEALERSHIP AT THEIR FULLEST AND MOST DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490230

10,200 miles · Dec 9, 2012
EnginePower Train

WHEN DOWNSHIFTING (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) FROM 3RD TO 2ND AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPM WENT WAY UP, MAYBE AROUND 4,000 RPM. I PRESSED THE CLUTCH TO AVOID THE CAR JERKING FORWARD AND HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE ONLY OWN…

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WHEN DOWNSHIFTING (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) FROM 3RD TO 2ND AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPM WENT WAY UP, MAYBE AROUND 4,000 RPM. I PRESSED THE CLUTCH TO AVOID THE CAR JERKING FORWARD AND HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE ONLY OWNED IT 5 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487778

6,000 miles · Nov 15, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL: PEDAL DOES NOT STAY WHERE IT IS SET - IT RETURNS TO A 0 MPH POSITION. THIS MAKES IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT RESTING ON THE PROPER PEDAL WHILE IN CRUISE, LEADING TO LOSING OF 'PLACE'. IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ACCELERATION ANOMALIES. WHEN STEPPING ON IT (GOING STRAIGHT) ENGINE WILL HESITATE, SEEM TO …

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CRUISE CONTROL: PEDAL DOES NOT STAY WHERE IT IS SET - IT RETURNS TO A 0 MPH POSITION. THIS MAKES IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT RESTING ON THE PROPER PEDAL WHILE IN CRUISE, LEADING TO LOSING OF 'PLACE'. IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ACCELERATION ANOMALIES. WHEN STEPPING ON IT (GOING STRAIGHT) ENGINE WILL HESITATE, SEEM TO WIND UP AND THEN GO, NOT GIVING YOU THE POWER YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT, BUT SECONDS AFTER THE FACT. OTHER TIMES ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WITH MORE POWER THAN ANTICIPATED MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING INTO A TURN. SEEMS UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484750

350 miles · Oct 18, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BUT LUCKILY CROSSING AT AN INTERSECTION WITH LIGHTS. I TURNED LEFT AND IT WAS AS IF MY CAR WENT IN NEUTRAL. I HIT THE GAS AND I DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. I HAD TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS CARS WERE BEEPING AT ME. I NOTICED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I REGULARLY TURN LEFT…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BUT LUCKILY CROSSING AT AN INTERSECTION WITH LIGHTS. I TURNED LEFT AND IT WAS AS IF MY CAR WENT IN NEUTRAL. I HIT THE GAS AND I DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. I HAD TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS CARS WERE BEEPING AT ME. I NOTICED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I REGULARLY TURN LEFT AT OTHER SECTIONS OF THIS HIGHWAY WHERE THERE ARE NO LIGHTS AND YOU JUST HAVE TO GO WHEN YOU CAN MAKE IT THROUGH QUICK. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED THEN? I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT MY MULTIPLE CARS GOING VERY FAST. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. "SHOULD BE FINE"! I HAVE A FAMILY AND BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO WE ARE SAFE THEN THIS HAPPENS AND I HEAR "SHOULD BE FINE". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481050

Official recalls

1

16V644000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.