2012 Mazda 2 problems
The 2012 Mazda 2 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the MZR gasolina. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as takata passenger airbag inflator.
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2012 Mazda 2 score: good reliability
Calculated using only 4 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine8.92 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension5.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety7.11 fault
What changes compared with the 2011 Mazda 2
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
MZR gasolina engine in the 2012 Mazda 2
Names: Mazda2 1.3 (75 CV) · Mazda2 1.3 (86 CV) · Mazda2 1.5 (103 CV)
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1.3 and 1.5 MZR 75-103 hp (ZJ-VE, ZY-VE, 2007-2014)
75–103 hp · ZJ-VE, ZY-VE
Gebrauchtwagenberater.de expects no serious problems in the Mazda2 DE if servicing is kept up and describes it as one of the most reliable in its segment; fiches-auto.fr counts only 9 faults among 32 petrol testimonials and oil consumption is only mentioned from around 150,000 km.[2][3]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileageIn the smaller petrol MZR engines, oil use appears mainly at high mileage: gebrauchtwagenberater.de places it in the Mazda2 DE from around 150,000-200,000 km, and fiches-auto.fr records isolated cases in the 2.0 of the Mazda3 and Mazda6 and in the 1.3 of the Mazda2.Appears at around 150,000 km
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionMisfires from spark plugs and ignition coils in petrol MZR enginesSpark plugs appear among the fault points of the Mazda2 DE in the ADAC statistics cited by gebrauchtwagenberater.de, and fiches-auto.fr attributes the misfires of the Mazda3 1.6 to coils, spark plugs or sensors.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Mazda 2
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyTakata passenger airbag inflatorYes: Mazda recalled Mazda 2s built between July 2007 and November 2014 over the Takata inflator in the front passenger airbag, which can degrade with heat and humidity and rupture when the airbag deploys.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringPlay in the steering ball jointsThe 2015 DEKRA report, as reported by Autofácil, cites play in the steering ball joints as the most notable fault on the Mazda 2 (2006-2012), which nonetheless achieves 8.1% serious faults against an average of 18.2% for urban cars.
Buying a 2012 Mazda 2?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mazda 2 reliable?
The 2012 Mazda 2 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the MZR gasolina. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as takata passenger airbag inflator.
Is the 2012 Mazda 2 better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Mazda 2?
According to our score, the best are 2014 and 2013 (8.0/10). The year with the worst score is 2007 (7.7/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Mazda 2 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: takata passenger airbag inflator (airbags and safety, critical severity), play in the steering ball joints (steering, medium severity), oil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileage (MZR gasolina, low severity) and misfires from spark plugs and ignition coils in petrol MZR engines (MZR gasolina, low severity).
Own a 2012 Mazda 2? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Mazda2Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Mazda 2 II (DE): Typische Mängel & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 September 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- Fiabilité Mazda 2 (2006-2014)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French