The Mazda5 surely carries a lot of attitude for a humble people mover but, like almost all other Mazdas, it has its own quirks and advantages over its peers. Despite spending quite some time in the market, the vehicle never really took off in terms of sales despite being a reliable machine as compared to some of its competitors. The 2012 Mazda5 comes in a completely new iteration but has seen only 32 official complaints along with a single recall to date. The recall was issued due to the possible failure of the liftgate of the vehicle and it covered over 500,000 units sold including the current model. In the complaints department, the powertrain has seen the maximum number of complaints from the owners while other areas have seen a few complaints each. In the segment, the Mazda5 competes with the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna.
Mazda5 user complaints and problems
Engine problems
- Engine connecting rod failure: A single case regarding this issue has been reported against the 2012 Mazda5. The owner states in the report that the connecting rod of his vehicle failed despite the vehicle not being too old to face this issue.
- Fuel tank overflowing: Several owners faced this issue. While filling up the gas tanks of the vehicles, the auto cut-off feature failed to work which resulted in overfilling or spilling of fuel out from the tank. In a couple of cases, the fuel spilled out while the vehicles were being driven.
- Emission system failure: One official complaint regarding this issue is there against the 2012 Mazda5. The owner mentions that the emission or EVAP system of the vehicle failed which resulted in excessive fuel consumption and possible leakage of harmful exhaust gasses in the air. The owner also learned from a few unofficial forums that there are other models with the same issue as well.
- Sudden acceleration: While driving in traffic, one owner faced this issue. Soon after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerates on its own, posing a risk of crashing into other vehicles.
Safety problems
- Airbag non-deployment: During a crash, the affected vehicle’s airbags failed to deploy. As a result, the owner was injured and required medical attention as well.
- Premature wearing of brakes: One owner complains in this regard. The vehicle’s brakes wore out prematurely and required an abnormally long distance to come to a stop after the brakes were applied. The contact further reports that this has been a design flaw from the brand itself but there are no formal recalls to address this problem. A few other cases were also reported where the brake rotors degraded prematurely and required replacements. However, the brand was reluctant to accept the claims but agreed to fix it for a single time only.
Miscellaneous problems
- Power steering failure: In a single case, the owner faced this problem while driving. When taking a turn, the owner turned the steering but it became hard and there was no assistance from the power steering system. The issue recurred multiple times for the vehicle as well.
2012 Mazda5 recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
September 6, 2016 |
16V644000 |
Rear Liftgate may Fall if the Liftgate Stays Corrode |
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury. |
Mazda dealers will replace both lift gate supports, free of charge, however, parts are not currently available. The recall began in April 2017. |
Should you buy a used Mazda5?
Purists might argue about the categorization of the Mazda5 as a minivan, but it serves small families just fine. The affordable price, sliding doors, decent fuel economy figures, and car-like handling makes a compelling case for the Mazda5. On the reliability side too, the van fares better than its prime rivals as well. Only let down by the fuel tank overflowing issues, the Mazda5 fulfills its duties as a people mover with the help of practical bits such as the sliding doors and easy maneuverability in tight spots. A used model of the Mazda5 would be a brilliant option if you can lay your hands on a well-maintained unit with no fuel tank overflowing issues.
