2012 MAZDA MAZDA3

SERVICE BRAKES

The brake pedal is soft and sometimes unresponsive unless it is pumped repeatedly. There have been several times where I have been concerned if I would come to a complete stop. I have had both sets of brake pads replaced in the last year, and have on driven 9,000 miles. Two independent service centers diagnosed the problem as a faulty master cylinder. However, upon replacing the master cylinder and doing three brake flushes, and inspecting my brake pads and calipers, the problem persisted and is unresolved. They directed me to order a new ABS module, believing that that is the only other part that could be causing the cars brake problems. This part (BFY1437AZCO) is on backorder until November 2025.

SEATS

The Seat Lifter on the driver's side seat frame broke, the metal has a clear stress fracture right near the bracket where the frame connects to the rail. This is the same part that was recalled in the 2010 and 2011 Models by Mazda in 2017. NHTSA Campaign No. 17V-082 It causes the driver side seat to change positions while driving creating hazardous conditions and does not appear structurally stable if involved in an accident potentially putting the driver's life at risk.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Our fuel tank is leaking for no reason. Brought it in last year (2024) for state inspections and let them know we smell gas when we park sometimes. They poke around and find nothing, but note there is a faint gas smell and to bring it to the dealer. We take it to Mazda to see if they can fix, they find nothing and charge my wife $250. Fast-forward to a year later, go for the same state inspection and we get failed. Our mechanic says theres a noticeable gas leak from the fuel tank and to take it to Mazda. There is clearly some issue with the fuel tank parts. The car itself only has 77k miles and it is 13 years old.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside and outside the vehicle for the next 5 days, prompting the contact to only fuel the vehicle halfway. The contact observed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle near the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the welded fuel tank nipple fuel line connector. The contact stated that the component was cracked along the bottom of the weld. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2012 Mazda3i 5dr hatchback. Persistent issue with headlights, both low beam and high beam, as well as interior lighting and other lighting. The headlights flicker for several seconds any time the brake pedal is applied. Interior lighting also flickers when brake pedal is applied. Headlights sometimes flicker when vehicle is decelerating and no brake pedal is applied, most notable when vehicle is traveling downhill. Further, the luminosity (brightness) of the headlights visibly dims, but does not flash, when the vehicle is parked and the brake pedal is applied. A high volume of others report the same issue, including documented complaints. These vehicles are unsafe, defective as designed, and do not conform to FMVSS No. 108. NHTSA must investigate further. Many other owners are not aware of the cause of the issue and attempt to fix it by replacing headlights, alternator, etc. Mazda was aware of issue prior to July 2013, when it issued TSB 01-019/13. This document states, "Some vehicles may exhibit the headlights flickering when the vehicle is decelerating (by applying the brakes) with the headlights on. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output (controlled by the PCM) when the battery is under a heavy load. To correct the problem, the control logic of the PCM has been changed." This appears to be at best a temporary fix. Bommarito Mazda in Missouri required payment of $199.88 to "diagnose" this problem and address it in the manner prescribed in TSB 01-019/13. This service was not covered under warranty. Service Manager M.D. claimed to have never heard of this issue before and that it would need to be diagnosed, despite being informed by the owner of the precise issue, that others reported experiencing the same issue, and that others reported the issue was addressed by reprogramming the PCM. Immediately following this service, the headlights continued to visibly dim when the vehicle is parked and the brake pedal applied.