2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2 Reliability Score: 9.8 out of 10

47 NHTSA Complaints

2 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

3 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.8 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar subcompacts

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 3 powertrain complaints. A typical subcompact fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 65.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall3 complaints against about 65 for similar vehicles

9.8

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20119.8
20129.8
20139.8
20149.8

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

ZY Federal/Canada

1.5L

40 complaints 6.7 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

interior

safety systems

suspension

other

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Mazda Mazda2 Unidentified Engine

7 complaints 2.3 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires

other

steering

suspension

safety systems

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda Mazda2, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 17 owner complaints

Interior: 8 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 6 owner complaints

Suspension: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (2)

17V082000Feb 9, 2017serious

Seats

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.

16V203000Apr 11, 2016serious

Steering

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

Alternatives in Subcompact

2 engines / 108 complaints

3 engines / 269 complaints

2 engines / 759 complaints

2 engines / 448 complaints

3 engines / 192 complaints

3 engines / 260 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2 complaints?

Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2. The systems they name most often are the steering, the interior and the safety systems.

Is the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2 have?

NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls covering some 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mazda Mazda2?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the interior and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Mazda2 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2011-2014 Mazda Mazda2. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 47 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.