2012 Mazda MAZDA3: headlights failing or too dim

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 Feb 13, 2022 · Electrical · NV

Headlights flicker when brakes are applied or when slowing down.

Filed May 17, 2021 · Lights · CA

Using my headlamps at night when I break my headlamps begin to flash, as to dim and brighten I took it into the dealership because it was a recall that my Vin number was not part of. They refused to take care of it without a fee. I reported it to Mazda of North America but because the cars older it falls outside of what they would normally do to take care of it. In short, The braking system causes the headlamps to brighten and dim down. I use country Roads, this could become a hazard. Im concerned it could completely go out at some point and leave me in the dark and create an accident

Filed Mar 22, 2021 · Lights · 60,000 miles · NJ

There has always been a massive voltage drop when slowing down or lowering speed. Happens consistently in all driving conditions, highway/city, nighttime/daytime. This leads to all interior lights and more importantly, headlights dimming and flashing whenever the engine speed drops. This often means at nighttime when going around corners visibility is nearly zero until the lights come back on after a few seconds. Electrical systems are all fine with inspection. Upon googling it, appears to be a common problem and software related.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Lights · 60,000 miles · MD

High beam lights blink/flash when breaking low beam lights dim when breaking instrument lights dim slightly when breaking with both conditions mentioned

Filed Dec 30, 2020 · Lights · 88,000 miles · IN

Headlamps pulse during braking while deceleration

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 Jan 25, 2020 · Lights · 120,500 miles · GA

While driving at night when you brake the headlights dim significantly and flicker until you go back to the gas or stop. I noticed this when I drove the car I bought for my daughter one night in october 2019.

Filed Nov 21, 2019 · Lights · 45,910 miles · PA

Headlights flicker when braking causing diminished visibility at night. This is a know problem and safety hazard. Known enough to have a service bulliten. This is a factory defect causing safety issues that mazda wants customers to pay for in order to be fixed. This should be a recall as it is a safety hazard

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 25, 2019 · Lights · 39,000 miles · KS

High beam lights blink/flash when breaking low beam lights dim when breaking instrument lights dim slightly when breaking with both conditions mentioned. Also I had the alteernator checked and it is working like it should. I found other people have had same problem with same year make and model. I am 2nd owner the person who bought it new didnt drive it much and didnt drive it at night so they never knew it had issues. The people with the issues was able to get it fixed free since they bought it new and had the issue happen to them. Seams there would of been a recall out to have this fixed and most dealers know what the problem is. But not the one I took my car to since it is a newer dealer.