2011 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 132 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 12 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SeatsFeb 9, 2017
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.
If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
Campaign 17V082000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 6, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Nov 2, 2015
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF AND IT'S ALWAYS ON. THE ICON ON THE DASH IS INDICATING CODE 16. NOBODY IS SEATING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2014, crash
THE MAZDA 3 HIT A LARGE TRUCK BROADSIDE, WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE MAZDA IS LIKELY TOTALED. THOUGH THE MAZDA 3 IS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT, SIDE AND OVERHEAD AIRBAGS, NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT, NOT EVEN THE DRIVER'S-SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. AMAZINGLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Jul 31, 2013
WHEN A PASSENGER WHO IS 5'2" AND WEIGHS 95 POUNDS SITS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2011 MAZDA 3, THE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT ON. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. ON MY OTHER CAR (A HONDA) AND ON ALL PREVIOUS MAZDA MODELS I'VE OWNED (323 AND PROTEGE), THIS SAME PASSENGER HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAGS DETECTING HER PRESENCE AS WE NOW DO WITH THE MAZDA 3. IS THERE A NATIONAL SAFETY REGULATION THAT MAZDA IS VIOLATING WITH PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT DON'T DEPLOY WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT? IS THERE A MINIMUM WEIGHT AND HEIGHT STANDARD THAT MAZDA'S PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD BE MEETING? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT SUCH A STANDARD WOULD NOT INCLUDE AN ADULT WHO IS 5'2" AND WEIGHS 95 POUNDS. I'VE SEEN A DISCUSSION ON THE INTERNET AMONG OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM: HTTP://MECHANICS.STACKEXCHANGE.COM/QUESTIONS/1673/2011-MAZDA3-AIRBAG-DISABLED-FOR-LIGHT-PASSENGER. *TR
Air bags, May 25, 2011
APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. THERE WAS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE PASSENGER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH BODY WEIGHT FOR THE VEHICLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 50. DS