What 36 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda Mazda5

This vehicle ejects a significant amount of fuel from its fuel filler port during every refueling. The volume of fuel and the distance the gasoline travels in a hazardous environment poses an avoidable risk that can result in a catastrophic event with potential fatalities. In addition, the cumulative quantity of fuel needlessly spilled negatively impacts the environment at a time of heightened environmental concerns. For these reasons, this known issue should be elevated from a simple technical service bulletin (#01-013-15-3048) to a safety recall before fatalities result from a known manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ODI 11478692

The Mazda5 has a TSB on the issue, 01-013/15. What I am attempting to find out is why this isn't a recall. When the failure occurs, the fuelling of the vehicle doesn't shut off the nozzle. What happens is fuel comes spraying out of the opening, getting over the ground, the vehicle, and in most cases the person fueling the vehicle. My vehicle has been dong this almost since new. When I reported it early on, Mazda blamed the fuel pumps in my area. The next time I went in I presented the TSB but they still wanted me to pay for diagnostic procedures and even potentially for the repair. I think that's ridiculous. From what I understand, it's very common, common enough to have a TSB. Since it does cause environmental issues and safety issues by splashing gasoline on skin, clothing, and potentially could be ignited, well, why isn't this a recall? I do find the TSB to be carefully worded to specifically NOT say what actually happens, making it look like an inconvenience and not a safety issue. ****Video of what happens is available upon request.****

NHTSA ODI 11421605

IT'S VERY COMMON IN THE MAZDA 5 CARS FOR THE EMISSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL OFTEN AND AFFECTS THE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF FUEL, MONEY ETC. IT'S ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE EVAP LEAKS COULD RELEASE FUEL VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POLLUTING IT. AS WELL AS FIRE HAZARDS DUE TO THE FUEL LEAKS. I'VE NOTICED MANY CUSTOMERS APPROACHING THE DEALER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH KIND OF GIVES US THE FEELING THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA5 VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11301036

EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK GAS SHOOTS OUT THE FILLER RECEPTICAL. I MUST ALWAYS STAND AWAY FROM THE FILLER TO AVOID GETTING ANY GAS ON MYSELF. GAS RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I HAD TO GIVE A DATE BELOW BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11162493

WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STOP OR MOVING SLOWLY IT PERIODICALLY ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. I MAKE SURE TO KEEP EXTRA DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO PREVENT AN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. IT TENDS TO ACCELERATE AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND ABOUT TO STEP ON THE GAS FROM A STOP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN, WHILE GETTING OFF A FWY OR WHILE PARKED.

NHTSA ODI 11000559

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 50 MPH THE FUEL LEAKED FROM THE TANK. IT TOOK ABOUT 40 MINUTES FOR HALF A TANK EMPTY. I NOTICED THE LEAK AFTER REACHING HOME WHERE I COLLECTED REST OF THE GAS BELOW THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10983796

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2014 WITH APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES. FOR THE ENTIRE TIME OF OWNERSHIP, WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, IF AN AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF NOZZLE FEATURE IS USED, GASOLINE WILL SPILL FROM THE TANK WITHOUT TRIGGERING THE AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF. THIS HAPPENS IRRESPECTIVE OF STATION OR PUMP. EXAMPLES FOUND ONLINE OF OTHERS WITH THIS SYMPTOM WERE ULTIMATELY DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY FUEL RETURN VALVE AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK WAS REQUIRED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. OTHER MAZDA VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR ISSUE- REFERENCE RECALL 7414D FOR 2014 MAZDA6 VEHICLES. THE SPILLAGE OF SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE DURING FILL-UP PRESENTS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI 10820654

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED WHEN FILLED UP. THIS WAS A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 10794347