Common Problems with the Mazda 2
FixMyCar discusses common problems with the Mazda 2 and average repair costs.
Compare Mazda 2 repair quotesEllie Dyer-Brown
Tuesday December 02 2025
7 min read
Introduced in 2002, the Mazda 2 is a supermini produced by Japanese automaker Mazda. In 2008, it was crowned World Car of the Year, and between 2014 and 2015, it also claimed the title of Japanese Car of the Year.
This guide examines known issues with the 2, providing owners and potential buyers with insights into specific faults and their average repair costs.
In a nutshell: The Mazda 2 has a decent - if not outstanding - reliability record. Most problems affect older diesel models, which can suffer from noisy engines, injector issues and blocked DPFs, while second- and third-generation cars also see the odd ABS sensor failure, carbon build-up and air conditioning faults. The latest 2019-present Mazda 2 looks particularly strong so far, with very few common problems beyond the occasional glitchy infotainment system.
What’s wrong with the Mazda 2?
Mazda 2 automatic problems
Some drivers have reported issues with the automatic gearbox, including jerky gear shifts and failing to engage certain gears.
Average repair price: £519.17
Mazda 2 diesel problems
Like all cars with diesel engines, the Mazda 2 can suffer from issues with the diesel particulate filter if it doesn’t get the chance to regenerate. Lots of short journeys cause the filter to become blocked because it doesn’t get hot enough to self-clean. Regular motorway journeys can help avoid this problem.
This guide explains how to avoid DPF problems.
Average DPF clean price: £226.83.
Mazda 2 recalls
| Recall number | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| R/2017/054 | 31.08.16 | Fuel may leak. |
| R/2016/186 | 31.08.16 | Fuel may leak. |
Mazda 2 2007-2015 problems
We’re starting with the Mk2 Mazda 2 since there are unlikely to be many older models still on the road.
1. Diesel injector issues
The 1.4 and 1.6-litre diesel engines are noisy and can suffer from injector issues. Symptoms typically include a loss of power, misfires, rough idling, stalling, and an illuminated check engine light.
What repair is needed for diesel injector issues, and how much does it cost?
Faulty injectors need to be replaced. The average price of a fuel injector replacement on FixMyCar is £244.86.
2. ABS failure
Sensor failures aren’t uncommon in older Mazda 2 models, and failure of the ABS sensor, in particular, is known to cause issues. When it fails, the warning light is triggered with a fault code. You may also experience the wheels locking during braking and a pulsing brake pedal.
Here are some other reasons why your ABS light might come on.
What repair is needed for ABS failure, and how much does it cost?
The repair is pretty straightforward - you just need to replace the faulty sensor. On average, an ABS repair costs £127.08 on FixMyCar.
3. Carbonised engine
Carbon naturally builds up as a result of the combustion process. In higher mileage cars run on cheaper fuel, this build-up can start causing problems with various engine parts, including the injectors, valves and pistons. Learn about how car engines work in this guide.
Keep an eye out for signs including uneven idling, misfires, poor fuel economy and reduced performance.
What repair is needed for a carbonised engine, and how much does it cost?
An engine carbon clean will remove built-up carbon deposits to prevent further issues from developing and restore power. The average price for a carbon clean on FixMyCar is £142.66.
4. Air conditioning failure
Second-gen Mazda 2s can suffer from various aircon issues. Sometimes, the system just needs regassing. Other times, the fix may be more expensive as the compressors and seals rely on regular use to stay lubricated.
Another known problem is a noisy air-flow controller, which makes clicking noises when switching between blower modes.
What repair is needed for air conditioning failure, and how much does it cost?
Book an air conditioning service to identify issues and restore the system to full power. The average price on FixMyCar is £105.92.
Mazda 2 2015-2019 problems
1. Air conditioning failure
Unfortunately, the air conditioning system is problematic in both the second and third generations of the Mazda 2. If it isn’t blowing ice-cold air, there may be a refrigerant leak, or the blower motor could have failed.
What repair is needed for air conditioning failure, and how much does it cost?
The final price will depend on the exact repair needed. An air conditioning service, which will identify any problems, costs £105.92 on average.
2. Blocked DPF
Diesel models can suffer from a blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF) if used for many short journeys. You can avoid this by going on a longer motorway drive every so often, which allows the DPF to get hot enough to regenerate.
Symptoms of DPF issues include a loss of power, reduced fuel economy, activation of limp mode and a strong exhaust smell. Find out how DPF cleaning works.
What repair is needed for a blocked DPF, and how much does it cost?
A DPF clean should solve the problem as long as the blockage isn’t too severe. The average price on FixMyCar is £226.83.
Mazda 2 2019-present problems
This generation of the Mazda 2 has very few common issues.
1. Glitchy infotainment system
Some drivers have reported that the infotainment system can be glitchy, freezing and switching off occasionally.
What repair is needed for a glitchy infotainment system, and how much does it cost?
This problem is due to the design of the infotainment system, so while inconvenient, it isn’t something you can fix. You could try resetting the system.
Mazda 2 years to avoid
There aren’t any universally agreed years to avoid for the Mazda 2, but reliability data and workshop experience suggest being selective about certain engine and age combinations.
High mileage mk2 diesels (2007-2015) - The 1.4 and 1.6-litre diesel engines in second-generation Mazda 2s are noisier and more trouble-prone than the petrols, with known injector issues and the usual risk of a blocked DPF on cars that have mostly done short, stop-start journeys. High-mileage examples without a solid service history are best avoided
Engine reliability
Mazda 2 1.5 diesel problems
The diesel 1.5 can be more troublesome if it’s mostly used for short trips due to DPF problems. Other than that, it's widely regarded as reliable.
Mazda 2 1.4 diesel problems
The 1.4-litre diesel in the Mazda 2 is economical but more troublesome than the equivalent petrols. It’s known for noisy running and occasional injector failures. Like most small diesels, it’s prone to DPF blockage on cars that mainly do short journeys. Well-maintained, higher-mileage examples that have had regular long runs are less at risk, but town-only 1.4 diesels are best approached with caution.
Mazda 2 1.3 problems
The 1.3-litre petrol in the Mazda 2 is generally very reliable, with no major inherent faults. Most problems are typical high-mileage wear items - ignition coils, timing-chain rattle or tired engine mounts - rather than serious engine failures, so a well-serviced 1.3 is usually a safe choice.
Is the Mazda 2 reliable?
In the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, the 2015-2025 Mazda 2 came joint 12th out of 26 in the small car class with a score of 95.9% - a respectable result, if not an outstanding one. The Skoda Fabia and the 2017-2024 Suzuki Swift had the same score. Mazda came in 15th place out of 30 in the 'brand reliability of cars aged up to five years old' category with 93%.
Overall, the Mazda 2 has a decent reliability record, as reflected by its relatively few common problems.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.