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KLUNK
KLUNK

2012 Mazda Mazda5

The Verdict

92 Smooth Ride

The 2012 Mazda Mazda5 has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (15 complaints) and engine (9 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 92/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Mazda Mazda5, consider the 2011 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2011 has 97% fewer complaints

View the 2011 Mazda Mazda5 dashboard →

92

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20065293113
2007423673
2008581233
2009442882
201028213122
201101000
2012157391
2013143142
201464020
201542110

By Category

Body
15
Engine
9
Brakes
7
Electrical
3
Transmission
1

By Severity

1
14
2
17
4
4

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 4

The contact owned a 2012 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, a deer wandered into the middle of the road, and the contact depressed the brake pedal and the wheels locked up, causing the tires to slide. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch, spun around, and struck another object, causing the vehicle to land back into the ditch where it came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. A bystander called 911, and the contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact bit his lips hard during the crash, which caused the bottom two front teeth to pierce through the bottom lip. The contact sustained a severe cut to the right leg, which led to excessive bleeding. The contact also sustained pain in the neck and lower back. The contact was given an X-ray and a CT scan to check for internal injuries, but none were found. The contact was released the same day. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard, where it remained. The vehicle was destroyed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 226,000.

19d ago
Body 2

Sentury Touring (Discount Tire) 205/55/R16. Both front tires have inner wear to the point of shredding in the same location on *both* front tires. Both tires went out at the same time and could have caused a serious accident. Discount tire stated it was an alignment issue. The alignment shop (30 minutes after new tires were installed after dual blowout) stated that my alignment was perfectly within spec and also stated there was no indication of tire rub on any portion of the vehicle.

22mo ago
Brakes 1

The contact owns a 2012 Mazda MZ5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

45mo ago
Engine 2

This vehicle ejects a significant amount of fuel from its fuel filler port during every refueling. The volume of fuel and the distance the gasoline travels in a hazardous environment poses an avoidable risk that can result in a catastrophic event with potential fatalities. In addition, the cumulative quantity of fuel needlessly spilled negatively impacts the environment at a time of heightened environmental concerns. For these reasons, this known issue should be elevated from a simple technical service bulletin (#01-013-15-3048) to a safety recall before fatalities result from a known manufacturing defect.

47mo ago
Brakes 1

During July of 2021 brake pedal went all the way down with no braking. Pumping the pedal restored braking. After the 3rd incident, had the master cylinder replaced on July 30, 2021 by certified mechanics. Brakes seemed fine, but on Aug 11, 2021 brake pedal went all the way down producing no braking on 3 occasions. Pumping the pedal restored braking. Took vehicle back to garage. Mechanics have not gotten it to fail. Possible new parts are bad? Could anti lock brake system cause this? Its been a really good car for 155,000 miles, but now I'm afraid to drive it.

59mo ago
Engine 1

The Mazda5 has a TSB on the issue, 01-013/15. What I am attempting to find out is why this isn't a recall. When the failure occurs, the fuelling of the vehicle doesn't shut off the nozzle. What happens is fuel comes spraying out of the opening, getting over the ground, the vehicle, and in most cases the person fueling the vehicle. My vehicle has been dong this almost since new. When I reported it early on, Mazda blamed the fuel pumps in my area. The next time I went in I presented the TSB but they still wanted me to pay for diagnostic procedures and even potentially for the repair. I think that's ridiculous. From what I understand, it's very common, common enough to have a TSB. Since it does cause environmental issues and safety issues by splashing gasoline on skin, clothing, and potentially could be ignited, well, why isn't this a recall? I do find the TSB to be carefully worded to specifically NOT say what actually happens, making it look like an inconvenience and not a safety issue. ****Video of what happens is available upon request.****

61mo ago
Body 4

REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED BY TRUCK GOING UNDER 20 MPH. OUR HEADS STRUCK HEADRESTS AND DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS INSTANTLY RECLINED BACK ONTO FRONT OF CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS. THEY'RE LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT THE KNEES IF THEY WERE IN THE ACCIDENT. OUR NECKS WERE SORE FROM WHIPLASH.

63mo ago
Engine 1

IT'S VERY COMMON IN THE MAZDA 5 CARS FOR THE EMISSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL OFTEN AND AFFECTS THE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF FUEL, MONEY ETC. IT'S ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE EVAP LEAKS COULD RELEASE FUEL VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POLLUTING IT. AS WELL AS FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO THE FUEL LEAKS. I'VE NOTICED MANY CUSTOMERS APPROACHING THE DEALER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH KIND OF GIVES US THE FEELING THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA5 VEHICLES.

78mo ago
Body 1

WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL GOT REALLY HARDEN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I NEARLY CRASH. I WAS LUCKY I WAS GOING SLOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MORE THAN 1 OCASSION. I WAS DRIVING IN CITY.

84mo ago
Engine 1

EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK GAS SHOOTS OUT THE FILLER RECEPTICAL. I MUST ALWAYS STAND AWAY FROM THE FILLER TO AVOID GETTING ANY GAS ON MYSELF. GAS RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I HAD TO GIVE A DATE BELOW BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS.

92mo ago
Engine 1

MY ENGINE THREW A ROD. NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. NO SMELL OF OIL. OIL WAS DRY. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE ON CAR AND CAR WAS NOT VERY OLD. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR ON 2012 MAZDA 5.

102mo ago
Electrical 2

LIFT GATE SUPPORTS - URGENT SAFETY RECALL RECEIVED- CARDINALE MAZDA PEORIA, AZ, REFUSES TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS-

102mo ago
Transmission 2

WHEN PUT INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, THIS VEHICLE DRIVES IN REVERSE. IT CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY BACK INTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AFTER GETTING OFF THE ROAD IN 3RD GEAR, MULTIPLE DRIVERS HAVE TESTED THIS WITH THE SAME RESULT... THE VEHICLE TRAVELS IN REVERSE WHILE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THIS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT.

103mo ago
Body 2

LIFTGATE STRUTS WHICH ACCORDING TO MAZDA WERE REPLACED PURSUANT TO RECALL FAILED CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL RESULTING IN MINOR INJURY TO MY HAND.

103mo ago
Brakes 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

107mo ago
Engine 1

WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STOP OR MOVING SLOWLY IT PERIODICALLY ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. I MAKE SURE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO PREVENT AN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. IT TENDS TO ACCELERATE AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND ABOUT TO STEP ON THE GAS FROM A STOP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN, WHILE GETTING OFF A FWY OR WHILE PARKED.

110mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MAZDA DEALER (MATTHEWS MAZDA; 3013 OLD VESTAL RD B, VESTAL, NY 13850; (607) 729-6261) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-222-5500 AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

111mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

111mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 50 MPH THE FUEL LEAKED FROM THE TANK. IT TOOK ABOUT 40 MINUTES FOR HALF A TANK EMPTY. I NOTICED THE LEAK AFTER REACHING HOME WHERE I COLLECTED REST OF THE GAS BELOW THE CAR.

112mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MAZDA 5. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 53 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND MINOR NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,666.

117mo ago

35 total

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