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: structure
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING UP POSSIBLY AFFECTING THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED I DONT KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED
Structure, Jul 18, 2020
THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE CLOCK AND INFO DISPLAY SEPARATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Structure, Mar 25, 2019
MY DASHBOARD HAS COME APART - LIKE ITS NOT GLUED TOGETHER BUT THEY TELL ME AT MAZDA THAT MY CAR IS NOT APART OF THE DASHBOARD RECALL WHICH I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE
Structure, Aug 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ANDERSON FORD OF ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ UPDATED 10/4/18*JB
Structure, Jun 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE BOB KING MAZDA DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS
Structure, May 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Jan 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Dec 5, 2016
HOOD LATCH STRIKER RUSTS AT ITS WELDING POINT. IF IT SEPARATES FROM THE HOOD, FOLLOWING MAY OCCUR DURING VEHICLE MOVEMENT: 1. HOOD OPENS AND IMPACTS DRIVER FRONT VISIBILITY 2. HOOD BRAKES THE WINDSHIELD AND POTENTIALLY INJURES THE DRIVER 3. HOOD SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE AND IMPACTS OTHER DRIVERS (BEHIND)
Exterior lighting, Structure, Nov 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP. AS A RESULT, THE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Oct 7, 2016
PASSENGER HEADLAMP GETTING EXCESSIVE CONDENSTATION BUILD UP AFTER CAR WASH OR RAIN STORM EVENTUALLY CAUSES HID BULB AND BALLAST FAILURE DUE TO SHORT CAUSED BY WATER INGRESS. HOUSING HAS BEEN CHANGED AND STILL LEAKS IN ALMOST EXACT SAME PATTERN AS OLD HOUSING. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AS IT AFFECTS MY ABILITY TO SAFELY, AND LEGALLY DRIVE MY CAR IN LOW OR NO LIGHT CONDITIONS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, May 23, 2016, crash
AIRBAG NOT INFLATE AT THE ACCIDENT BUT INFLATED AFTER 2 NF INJURIES . PERSONS HURT BY STEERING WHEEL.
Structure, Aug 24, 2014
LAST MONTH WE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE ABOVE CAR IS LITERALLY MELTING. WE NOTICED AT IT HAD A SHINY APPEARANCE AND WHEN WE TOUCHED IT WITH OUR HAND, OUR HAND LITERALLY STUCK TO THE DASHBOARD. WE HAVE NOT USED ANY SOLVENTS OR CLEANERS TO WIPE OFF THE DASH. OTHER THAN COMPLAIN, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO ? *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2013
AFTER PARKING, I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. THE CABLE CONNECTING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO THE DOOR LATCH HAD SNAPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT CAR IS TO CLIMB OVER SEAT TO PASSENGER SIDE, OR ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR USING OUTSIDE HANDLE. THERE IS A SIMILAR ITEM I FOUND: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: 10033728. *TR