This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Driver seat rocks back and forth. There was a recall for 2010-2011 models for this exact issue but 2012 and 2013 are not included in the recall. This is an issue for later models and was even an issue for the 2014-2018 as a separate recall was issued for that generation. 2012 and 2013 need to be recalled for the seats rocking back and forth. This is a safety concern.
The seat track on the drivers seat has come apart, so now the drivers seat rocks back and forth with every acceleration and brake, and feels like it's about to come off entirely. There was no incident that seemed to cause this, just one day I got in the car and the seat was loose. I took it to the dealership and they confirmed the seat track is coming apart, but there is no recall out for this VIN so I would have to pay $2400 to replace this defective part.
Driver seat has become loose and rocks forward in an up and down fashion while driving. Can be rock by hand as well when not sitting in the seat. A prior recall addressed this issue with 2010-2011 Mazda 3's. This is a 2012 that is having the same problem, but the recall does not apply to it. The recall needs to be expanded to included all vehicles experiencing this issue. NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082 Manufacturer Mazda North American Operations Components SEATS Potential Number of Units Affected 173,859
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while at a standstill, she heard a popping sound coming from the driver-??s side seat resulting in the seat moving and not maintaining an appropriate driving position. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V082000 (Seats) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
- Sumner, WA, USA
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Motor cylinder #1 low compression took it to Mazda they couldnt figure it out and less than 20 miles after the motor threw a rod at 70,001 miles total. Cylinder 1 walls where not made correctly
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while seated in the driver's seat, the contact heard an abnormal sound and became aware that the seat was no longer in line with the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to cardinaleway Mazda - peoria (8424 w bell rd, peoria, AZ 85382; (623) 738-0755) who stated that the seat track and adjuster needed to be repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.
My Mazda3 has experienced the same manual seat lifter failure issue as addressed in NHTSA recall 17V-082. I was involved in a rear end collision on September 8, 2020 which caused me to experience whiplash due to the seat becoming loose. The collision center found the seat is missing the push nuts and the lift bracket has broken at the welds which is identical due to safety issues stated in the above recall. Mazda states this is not an issue for this vehicle but I could have been severely injured due to this. My car was going slowly before I was hit from behind which pushed the car forward on a standard city street in a construction zone. I was going less than 5 miles per hour.
The front driver seat now wobbles backward. The seat is not securely in place, which is very unsafe. The same model vehicle had a recall for the 2010-2011 versions for the same issue. The following link shows that other 2012 Mazda 3 owners are experiencing the same issues I have emailed Mazda today about the issue and are awaiting their reply, but I think this needs to be looked into. The vehicle is currently in the shop for a transmission issue at the moment, if needed I can have the shop take photos.
Drivers seat snapped in the middle of driving and chair fell backwards. I see a similar recall was issued for the same problem in 2011 Mazda 3 models. I am concerned a part used in 2011 was used for this 2012 car. The electronic base of the chair works, but the seat will need to be repaired.
As I was entering my vehicle on a Saturday morning a metal piece under the seat snapped. The seat was no longer stable and I brought it to a Mazda dealer a couple of days later to inspect the issue. They provided me with the part number for the broken part in my vehicle. That part number, bbm4-88-H50A, is the same on all Mazda3S from 2010-2012. It is also the same part that was recalled on 2010-2011 Mazda3S but not the 2012 model. This part should absolutely be recalled on 2012 models since it is the same part and I am evidence that the part was still faulty on the 2012 models. I have attached 4 pieces of evidence that show proof of the inspection, the part that was broken, the fact that the part was the same from 2010-2012 models, and the NHTSA document showing the recall of that part. I am not a large person, ~145 lbs, and there is no reason a metal piece holding my seat in place should have snapped in two.
My car was T-bone, it should not have been driven. My daughter was made to drive the damaged car home instead of using a tow truck to take it to the nearest body shop. The suspension was bent completely inwards (doughnut tire was used to drive the car home with a bent suspension). I was told by the insurance company to drive the car to the nearest shop they do business with, and I did. I asked the supervisor/adjuster to total the car before ever seeing the internal damage. I knew the car could not be repaired back to the way it was, almost new condition. We went back and forward about totaling the car. He refused to total only after pleading with him, he agreed to do so. After seeing the car stripped from lid of trunk, tires off, I saw the right tire completely bent inward. I was told it was supposed to be that way. I told the adjuster I did not want the car that it is destroyed, again I asked him to total the car. He said no, the car could be repaired. I was assured by the body shop owner that he would repair it back 100%. he did not. The shop kept my car approx. 2 months from the 15 days promised to be fixed. I picked up the car on 6/24/15. My daughter and I examined it and the back seat pulled away from the back and base of the seat; would not stay locked down. It pulled completely away from the back, out, and up; tail lights did not work; suspension was unbalanced, the car pulled left. The right suspension was lower about 5/8" lower than the left suspension; nail in tire which made the tire sensor light stay on; car smelled offer inside; it was not washed before given back to me; paint had dripped and dried up at the base of the car where repair work had been done; right door did not align; back panel did not align; suspension was not coated, left to rust out; radio had beeping sound when changing stations; my daughter has 13 month old who rides in the car.
Took delivery of 2012 Mazda3 I grand touring with 19,293miles on it. Noticed driver's seat rocked back and fourth under acceleration and braking. Took it back to the dealer where I got it and was told to take it to Mazda dealer as it was still under warranty. Took the vehicle to local Mazda dealer on Feb 17 2014 and they noticed the rocking in the seat and replaced the seat track. After replacing the track, the seat still rocked and the dealer acknowledged the fact it was still doing it. They contacted Mazda technical support who got back with them today, Feb 21 2014, and Mazda tech support said it is normal for the seat to do this. I find it very uncomfortable that every time I hit the brakes my seat rocks forward, what's going to happen in an accident" is the seat going to hold up" I hope someone takes a hard look at this issue, there are numerous accounts of this all over the Mazda3 forums as well, with similar responses from Mazda. I personally think it's a safety issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Watertown, MA, USA