2012 Mazda MAZDA3: engine stalls while driving

7 of the 226 complaints about the 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 50,560
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 80 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

2021
3
2020
1
2019
4
2018
8
2017
2
2016
4
2015
4
2014
6
2013
2
2012
7
2010
7
2009
1
2008
2
2007
10
2006
9
2005
8
2004
5

What owners say

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Transmission · CA

The car started to stall, hesitate and even stop completely for no apparent reason. The mechanic first recommended a new ECU/TCU which did not help the problem and in the course of duplicating the problem check engine light has come on for the transmission with problems shifting/sticking in a gear and not returning to first gear. My mechanic has stated that there is a known problem with Mazda3 transmission, and I should reach out to Mazda. They indicate there is no recall, but mechanic provided me TSB reference number 0500814 from a service bulletin. The car is a death trap and I have stalled while driving on the streets and freeway so obviously I can't drive the car. The car is still at the mechanics since parts cannot be found. Please help any way possible. Thank you.

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 Aug 23, 2018 · Engine · 38,500 miles · AZ

Mass airflow sensor failed at 38,000 miles causing the car to stall and wouldn't restart.

Filed Jun 3, 2018 · 50,560 miles · CA

I was driving down a winding road when my car started to lose power and and then completely stalled. Pror to it stalling, it was acting strange, would rev high and not kick in to the next gear (not sure if that's a correct description as this is an automatic car). Three lights came on: the check engine light, the automatic transaxile light and tcs/dsc indicator light. It was towed to a local small auto shop who diagnosed it as a computer code issue but they were unable to fix it. It was then towed to mazda who couldn't find anything wrong with it. Since this incident, my car does not have good power, especially on inclines. It seems to shake at times and runs rough and this was not the case prior to the stalling incident. I believe it is a transmission issue but since mazda couldn't diagnose it, I'm not sure.

Filed Apr 1, 2017 · Engine · 56,800 miles · VA

In the morning of march 31, 2017 when I've proceeded to va 206 to the naval lab (25-mile speed limit zone), traction control system (tcs/dsc) indicator light suddenly lit up, and car stalled. I attempted to accelerated but received non response from the car. The car stayed around 20- 25 MPH. I pulled in the auto shop and turn off the engine. I re-started the car and the tcs/dsc indicator light was off and car behaved normally. However I don't know if the problem will happen again.

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Acceleration · 45,000 miles · CA

Mazda 3 skyactive 2012, 45,000 mi. Driving down on a dry street, sunny day, going at approx 35mph when suddenly engine started revving high but car wasn't accelerating. This was very dangerous as car was stalling in middle of the road. The at, tcs/dsc, and engine lights came on. Pulled over safely asap to see what was going on. Turned off engine, waited 2 minutes, re-started engine and lights were off, and drove home slowly. Following morning, engine light was on but car seems to be driving normally. Will take to dealership asap.

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 12,000 miles · TX

I have an automatic skyactiv 2012 5dr hatchback. I was pulling out on a back road that was 60mph and as soon as I pressed the gas to speed up with traffic it was as if the car lost all power. The traction control light came on and the car slowly accelerated as I had the gas pressed to the floor. It very slowly sped up to 60mph and would not go any faster. I tried pressing the traction control button to turn it off and nothing happened. My wife and I got lunch and afterwards it worked fine. Last time I was at the dealership they told me there was a recall for the stalling issue and that they had fixed it. This was about a month or so before I experienced the stall. Before then I had not had any issues with stalling, just with pulling out onto roads. That leads me to mention that this car does not do well when pulling out onto roads. The car does not respond well. It lags and then when it realizes you have your foot pressed on the gas it throws you back into your seat. It's as if the car is in 3rd gear when you pull out and then throws itself into 1st gear. The car feels very unsafe. I wish I wouldn't have bought mazda's 2012 mazda3 since, afterall, it was their first attempt at their new skyactiv engine.