MazdaMX-52012Overview/mazda/mx-5/2012/base/

2012 Mazda MX-5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 MX-5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Mazda MX-5 is a passenger car that pairs a six-speed automatic transmission with an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 city and 27 highway mpg for a 23 mpg combined average. Its reliability profile is notably quiet, marked by zero recalls and just five total owner complaints, with the vehicle's structure serving as the primary area of concern. When situated within the model's broader 2011-2026 complaint history—which saw a peak of thirty-four complaints in 2016—the 2012 model year sits near the historical low established by 2011, signifying a highly stable and trouble-free iteration for researchers to evaluate.

Model year202420232022202120122011201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy21/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0514302B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterLF0514302B
Engine air filterLFG113Z40
Fuel filterLFG113ZE0 alt LFB613ZE1
Battery000080051RWB
Front wiper bladesNE5167330B alt NE5267330B
Serpentine beltLF9M15909A alt LF9J15909A
ThermostatLF0315165A alt LF7015170

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length157.1 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height49.2 in
Wheelbase91.7 in
Curb weight2524 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.8
Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8-10 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts71-75 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-47 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14-18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Rear Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.90-1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)29.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)29.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression174-249 PSI. 28.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure49-86 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs / 15-18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-75 ft-lbs / 37-50 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.82 in / 0.346 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.787 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.

29.5-12.5 ft. lbs.9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
332.0-34.0 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
488 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
588 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 MX-5 sits in the early, low-incident portion of this generation: it recorded only 5 complaints and zero recalls, compared to 1 complaint in 2011 and 2 in 2013, with all three years sharing 205 TSBs. The generation’s federal record shows a clear break after 2015, when complaints jumped to 34 and recalls began (3 in 2016), followed by multiple recall years through 2025. The 2012’s top complaint areas—Structure, Traction Control System/Engine, Air Bags, and Service Brakes—each have just a single report, and the data does not specify a root cause for any of them. With one crash complaint and no fires, the 2012 falls well before the recall-heavy period and aligns with the generation’s most stable years. This is a good year to buy, as it offers the lowest complaint and recall risk in the entire model run.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
205
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Structure1
Traction Control System,Engine1
Air Bags1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 205 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MX-5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2012 MX-5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MX-5 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.