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: other or unspecified
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2025
I was driving it and randomly the AT and TC , and check engine light came on and the car went into limp mode, after doing some research it appears to happen to all 2009-2011 Mazda3's and it's a safety hazard. It's a safety hazard because of when it's stuck in limp mode sometimes if your at a light or something it'll start shifting and if you're not holding the brake completely down it will make the car lurch forward like 2-3 feet more if you don't react fast enough. This is a serious problem as it can cause a wreck. And you never know when it's going to happen there will be no symptoms it will just go into limp mode sometimes it'll rapidly go in and out and I'm sure that's causing damage to my transmission. Please make Mazda recall the TCM part and replace it. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my complaint/safety issue. Have a good day or night!!!
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2025
The instrument panel above the information display in my 2011 Mazda3 has warped and created a visible gap, which is a known defect previously covered under Mazda’s Special Service Program A9 (SSP A9). While originally described as a cosmetic issue, in my vehicle the gap now allows engine odors and emissions to enter the passenger cabin. This condition presents a safety and health risk to occupants. My daughter drives the vehicle daily to college and is regularly exposed to these fumes. To confirm the problem, I used a Temtop M2000C Advanced Air Quality Monitor and recorded the following CO₂ levels inside the cabin compared to outside air: - Outside vehicle (baseline): 348 ppm - Inside after 1 minute: 436 ppm - Inside after 5 minutes: 1,027 ppm - Inside after 15 minutes: 1,645 ppm According to the monitor’s air quality guide, 1,501–2,500 ppm CO₂ is classified as “Unhealthy.” These readings indicate a measurable intrusion of emissions into the cabin. Mazda Customer Experience has acknowledged the vehicle is outside the SSP A9 warranty window and denied repair assistance, but I believe this issue is no longer cosmetic. The defect now creates a condition that may adversely affect occupant health and safety and should be considered under NHTSA’s authority for potential investigation. The vehicle can be inspected upon request. A Mazda dealer (Group 1 Mazda Denton, Texas) has provided a repair estimate of $1,307.77 for instrument panel replacement. Photos of the gap and air quality readings are available.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2024
The car is jerking and check engine light is on. Also when you are stopped and press on the gar it takes a bit to get speed. The transmission control module needs to be replaced. There seems to be this issue on many mazda's just not sure why a recall hasn't been done for this case.
Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2022
Transmission Control Module Failed while driving. Do to this there was a loss in ability to properly shift which made driving dangerous. There has been several online reports and accounts about this specific car signaling a check engine light coming on, AT light coming on and when other indirect or incorrect codes like Solenoid (A), (B), or (C). Luckily I did not crash therefore, I have no inspections have been necessary by police or insurance representatives. But I did have my local mechanic shop diagnose the problem. I noticed the car shifted a little weird but, no lights, warning, or messages came prior to failure. In the first couple of minutes prior to the first failure, was a simple check engine light which read a code for the Solenoid. Local shop diagnosed Transmission Control Module Failure and proceeded to "fix" the module. Second Failure was mid drive, AT light came on and a few minutes into my drive back home to park the car, it failed.
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2022
Automatic transmission failure. It causes the vehicle to jar around and have misproper steering. For example improper acceleration causes inability to move in a fluid motion. Causes risks of someone rearending or hitting another vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2021
My Mazda 3 2011 dash is splitting and it was inspected by the Mazda dealership. It pulls a safety issue because the glue and sticky material that was coming from the dash is shining into my eyes every time I drive during daylight. I am afraid the airbags will be affected too because the dash is coming part that means air bags can be a malfunction also.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 6, 2021
Transmission slips out and shift shock in first gear to second year. Over revving and bucking on the freeway. These are BAD transmissions
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
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2020
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND NOT CONSISTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD HAS COME APART FROM THE CENTER PIECE ON THE DASH WITH THE DIGITAL DISPLAY. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TEXAS IN 2013, DROVE TO MAINE IN 2015 AND DRIVEN TO VIRGINIA SINCE 2018. PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS STRANGE BROWN MARKS INSIDE THE MIRROR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. OWNER DOES NOT SMOKE. STRANGE CLUNKY NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION, NOT CONSISTENT VERY RANDOM. SMOOTH ROAD, BUMPY ROAD, FAST OR SLOW, THE SOUND JUST RANDOMLY HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. HEADLIGHTS FORM MOISTURE, OWNER BOUGHT NEW HEADLIGHTS WITH MECHANIC INSTALL AND THEY STARTED TO COLLECT MOISTURE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER INSTALLATION. OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2013 TO PRESENT. VEHICLE PURCHASED AT APPROX 60K MILES, CURRENTLY APPROX 130K MILES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2019
WE WERE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A MACHINE GUN WAS GOING THREW MY SPEAKERS AND THE RADIO CONTROL WOULD NOT CONTROL THE LOAD NESS OF IT. WE HAD TO RIDE OVER 3 MILES TO THE EXIT AND GET OUT WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT STOPPED. THEN IT WOULD MAKE A AWFUL CRACKLING NOISE WHEN THE KEY WASN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION. THAT WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW THE RADIO DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AND IT STILL CRACKLES FROM TIME TO TIME. I LOOKED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY SAID THAT THE BOSE AMPLIFIER IS GOING OUT MAKING THAT NOISE. I'VE CONTACTED BOSE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. I'M JUST GLAD I WASN'T IN THE CAR ALONE WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF US!
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE IS A GROWING GAP. IT OCCURRED OVER TIME AND IS CONTINUING TO GET WORSE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 1, 2017
MY DASHBOARD HAS SEPERATED FROM MY CONTROL PANEL DUE TO HEAT IN FLORIDA EVEN THOUGH I USE SUN VISOR EACH DAY. ALSO I NOTICE THAT THE ELECTRONIS DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO WORK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, AFTER TURNING THE KEU TO THE OPEN POSITION AND RETURNING THE KEY BACK TO THE START POSSITION THE CAR RE LOCKS ITSELF ABOUT 70% OF THE TIME
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2016
THE VEHICLE HAS UNINTENDED SURGES IN ACCELERATION DURING DRIVING OR BACKING OUT THE DRIVE. WAS TOLD TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT FROM THIS AS OF YET. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT I WAS UNUSED TO THE ACCELERATOR. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE FOGGED FROM THE INSIDE (WATER UNDER THE HEADLIGHTS) THIS RESULTS IN THE LIGHT BEAM NOT BEING STRONG ENOUGH AT NIGHT TO BE AS VISIBLE AS SHOULD BE TO OTHERS OR MYSELF.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING AT THE TOP OF THE INFO SCREEN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS DETACHING OR COMING APART FROM THE INFORMATION CENTER
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2016
DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING ABOVE RADIO/INFO SCREEN.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2015
I LEFT THE LIGHTS ON AND THIS DRAINED THE BATTERY. I HAD MY JUMPER CABLES IN THE SPARE-WHEEL COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPEN THE HATCH (FIFTY DOOR) FROM THE INSIDE, OR ANY OTHER WAY. SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY WAY THAT THE BACK DOOR OPENS IS ELECTRONICALLY. THIS IS A FLAW IN TESTING AND DESIGN, THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED FOR SAFETY REASONS, NUMEROUS TO MENTION. SUGGESTION: HAVE A MANUAL LATCH TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR (HATCH) FROM THE INSIDE IN THE EVENT ELECTRICAL POWER IS LOST.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2011
I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. MY FOOT WAS SQUARELY ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME BUT I WAS BEING PULLED SLOWLY FORWARD ON TO A BUSY ROADWAY. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE SHOULDER TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND THEN SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. MY FOOT PLACEMENT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR, AND THERE WERE NO OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS (I.E. CARPETS). WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL. AS AN ENGINEER, I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT WHAT EVER HAPPENED WAS ELECTRONIC IN NATURE, NOT A MECHANICAL OBSTRUCTION OR STICKING LINKAGE (I DID NOT TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL WHEN I RESTARTED). PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I HAD BEEN DRIVING SLOW THOUGH A BUSINESS PARK AT 10 TO 15 MILES AND HOUR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, I WAS AT A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE OR SINCE. MAZDA HAS EXAMINED THE CAR AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. I LIKE THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FLAW ON RECORD. *TR