Common Problems with the Mazda 2
- Mazda
- Common problems
FixMyCar discusses common problems with the Mazda 2 and average repair costs.
Book car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Thursday December 05 2024
5 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.
Common problems with the Mazda 2 include:
Contents
What’s wrong with the Mazda 2?
Mazda 2 automatic problems
Some drivers have reported issues with the automatic gearbox, including rough and jerky gear shifts and failing to engage certain gears. The average Mazda auto gearbox repair price on FixMyCar is £591.90.
Mazda 2 diesel problems
Like all cars with diesel engines, the Mazda 2 can suffer from issues with the diesel particulate filter system 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.
The average price of a Mazda DPF clean on FixMyCar is £227.82.
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 for a Mazda 2?
Faulty injectors need replacing. The average price of a Mazda fuel injection system repair on FixMyCar is £188.60.
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 for a Mazda 2?
The repair is pretty straightforward - you just need to replace the faulty sensor. On average, an ABS repair for a Mazda costs £63.46 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 for a Mazda 2?
An engine carbon clean will remove built-up carbon deposits to prevent further issues from developing and restore power. The average price for a Mazda carbon clean on FixMyCar is £130.27.
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 for a Mazda 2?
Book an air conditioning service to identify issues and restore the system to full power. The average price on FixMyCar across all Mazda models is £91.06.
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 for a Mazda 2?
The final price will depend on the exact repair needed. An air conditioning service, which will identify any problems, costs £91.06 on average for a Mazda.
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 for a Mazda 2?
A DPF clean should solve the problem as long as the blockage isn’t too severe. The average price on FixMyCar across all Mazda models is £203.69.
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 for a Mazda 2?
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.
Is the Mazda 2 reliable?
In the 2022 WhatCar? reliability survey, the Mazda 2 came 12th out of 28 vehicles in the small car class - not a bad result, but not exceptional either. It hasn’t been featured in more recent surveys. Mazda ranked eighth out of 32 manufacturers for reliability, which is much more impressive.
Overall, the Mazda 2 has a decent reliability record, as reflected by its relatively few common problems.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. 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.