2012 Mazda MAZDA3 electrical problems

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · MO

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. the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Electrical · VA

Headlight flickering and turns off and on randomly.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · MS · fire

The contact owned a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact woke up to the fire department extinguishing a fire in the vehicle. The fire department stated that the fire began under the hood and that the fire was due to the electrical system. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. A police report and a fire report were filled out. The vehicle has not been towed yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2022 · Electrical · NV

Headlights flicker when brakes are applied or when slowing down.

Filed Jan 31, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · ID

When driving at night with exterior lights on, when brake and or gas pedal is pressed the exterior lights strobe/flashes. The Mazda dealership has been contacted about this issue and there is a technician service bulletin stating that the ECM needs to be reflashed/programmed. No recall has been set for this issue and the Mazda dealership stated that I would have to pay $265 out of pocket to have the problem fixed. I believe that because it's a problem with there programming or software that the company should have to issue a safety recall and fix the factory defect. I'm currently in the process of filing a lawsuit against Mazda because of this and I have already filed a complaint with the better business bureau for this issue.

Filed Jul 16, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 85,598 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the automatic trans-axle warning light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred for a second time that day and she was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the battery cables had detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 85,598.

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · CA

While driving I had noticed that every time I came to a stop light or a stop sign or to even slow down by releasing my foot of the accelerator, my headlights would start to flash. I started to din into the problem by doing research online to see if it was a common problem with my vehicles make and model. Upon reading more and more information I found on the issue I was having with my car. It all seemed to be linked to an alternator issue that mazda knew about released a recall on it then took the recall away. My car is having the issue for the recall they took away. It poses a danger and a risk while driving. It causes a distraction to the on coming traffic as well as distracts the driver in front of you. I have had cars break hard in front of me thinking I was signaling them for whatever reason. One early morning I had been driving to work on the freeway and my whole car seemed to have shut off and as soon as it went off it came back on.

Filed Sep 25, 2019 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mazda 3. The contact stated that the instrument panel was popping out of the display paneling. The failure hindered the visibility of the speedometer, fuel gauge, and oil levels. John hine temecula mazda (42050 dlr dr, temecula, ca 92591, (951) 553-2000) stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 70,000 miles · NJ

When the vehicle slows down or I hit the brakes, the headlights and interior lights flicker.

Filed May 7, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 139,000 miles · CA

When driving at night with the lights on and putting on brakes or slowing down, headlights and taillights flicker and dim noticeably