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
132 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 12, 2018
CAR WAS HARD TO START IN 2014..REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG .CLEAN THE MAF SENSOR AND AIR INTAKE .USED 89 GRADE GAS .NOTHING WAS CHANGE .CAR WAS NOISE FROM THE BACK IN 2016.DIDNT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM .THEN 2WEEKS AGO SOMETIMES CAR STARTED AND FAILED RIGHT AWAY .DO MATTER THE ENGINE WAS COLD OR WARM .TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP .REPLACED FUEL PUMP .COSTED $988.CAR JUST GO BACK THE NORMAL FINALLY .SO THE FUEL PUMP HAD PROBLEM IN 2014.BUT JUST DIDNT DIE.FUEL PUMP SHOULD LAST LIFETIME WITH THE CAR .WE HAD SOME OLDER CAR LIKE 11YEARS .THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP .THEY SHOULD RECALL IT .I SEEN A LOT PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE .AND THEY DIDNT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM
Steering, Mar 14, 2018
MY 2011 MAZDA 3 IS HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. IT GOES ON AND OFF AND CREATES DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR MYSELF AS THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND STEER. ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND MAKE TURNS.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE STOP LAMPS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE FAILURE DUE TO THE ABS MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE STOP LAMPS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL: I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR MAZDA3 IN JAN 2011. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT TURN OFF EVEN THOUGH A OVER 100 POUNDS PERSON IS SITTING ON THE CHAIR. I NOTICED IT ON THE FIRST YEAR WHEN I WAS BACK TO THE MAZDA DEALER IN NEWARK CALIFORNIA FOR THE MAINTENANCE, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE PERSON IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER CHAIR IS SO LIGHT. I GOT A CAR ACCIDENT ON 2012, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT POP UP. I DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW THIS WEBSITE UNTIL I RECEIVE THE DASHBOARD RECALL. MY MAZDA GOT SOME RECALLS. THE CURRENT RECALL IS THE DASHBOARD, AND I AM WAITING FOR FIXING IT THE END OF THIS MONTH JANUARY 2018. I WONDER WHY THE AIRBAG IS NOT RECALL YET. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE DASHBOARD.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2017, crash
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WERE THE AUTOMOBILE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND SHE WAS SEVERELY REAR ENDED. THE APPROXIMATE TRAVEL SPEED WAS 65 MILES PER HR ON THERE FREEWAY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2017
THE FRONT LIGHTS SEEM TO BUILD CONDENSATION AND CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THAT IS EMITTED FROM THEM AT NIGHT, LEADING TO A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE TURN SIGNALS AND CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC FAILURE THAT COSTS OVER $1,000 TO FIX THAT MAZDA CLAIMS IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR FACTORY WARRANTY. THIS HAS BECOME A HUGE PROBLEM AND ONE QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TURNS UP HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE, ISSUE A RECALL IN ORDER TO FIX THE AFFECTED UNITS AND FORCE MAZDA'S HAND TO LAY THE COST BURDEN ON THEM AND NOT THE CUSTOMER AS IT IS COMPLETELY ON THEIR MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES THAT DO NOT PROVIDE A PROPER SEAL AROUND THE LIGHTING THAT ALLOWS THIS TO OCCUR. DEALERSHIP SALESMEN ARE SCHOOLED TO TELL CUSTOMERS THAT IT WILL "BURN OFF" AS THE LIGHTS ARE ON LONGER AND ITS NOT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, WHEN REALLY IT CAN LEAD TO SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE LEADING TO DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARDS AT NIGHT.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON TIME BY TIME FOR UNKNOWN REASON . I BRING THIS TO ATTENTION ON TIME IN MY BUMPER TO BUMPER GUARANTEE IN MY DEALER ON 2011, DEALER SAID THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL ON OCT 2017 THAT A POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT IS RELATED TO AIR BAG , I AM WORRIED THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG IN MY AIRBAG ,SO I ADVISED MY DEALER THEY REFUSED TO CHECK BY FREE AND ASKING ME TO PAID FOR A REVIEW BECAUSE THERE IS NOT RECALL REGISTER IN MY VEHICLE. WELL I PREVIOUSLY ADVISED ON TIME ON 2011 ABOUT THIS SITUATION, THAT IS THE LIGT IS ON TIME BY TIME THAT MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG IS NOT FAIR, THAT I NEED TO PAID FOR A REVIEW WORK . THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH UNKNOWN REASON WHEN I INFORMED ON TIME. NOW THAT I KNOW ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT , I JUST ASKING FOR A REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS CIRCUMSTANCES.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - THIS VEHICLE HAS A TAKATA AIR BAG INITIATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER SAYS NO RECALL IS IN EFFECT. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL WHEN THE TAKATA INITIATOR IS KNOWN TO CAUSE ISSUES AND FATALITIES? IS A RECALL PENDING? IF SO, WHEN WILL IT BE MADE PUBLIC? THANK YOU.
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
Seats, Aug 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WESTCOTT MAZDA (LOCATED AT 2800 NATIONAL CITY, NATIONAL CITY CA, 91950, TEL: (619)474-1591) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017, crash
TAKATA AIRBAG: ON 12/25/16 SUNDAY MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE IN A HIT AND RUN, MY AIRBAG (DRIVER SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD I WAS KNOCK INTO A 360 SPIN. (INSURANCE PROVIDER: PROGRESSIVE POLICY #[XXX], DETROIT POLICE REPORT #[XXX]) I WAS IN MOTION ENTERING THE INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET, DRY ROAD CONDITION. I DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL I USED WORK SICK DAY SINCE I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK (POLICE OFFICER) (EMAIL: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Tires, Aug 14, 2017
AN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEAR OLD OHTSU TIRE STARTED TO SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING AROUND 70 MILES AN HOUR.
Steering, Aug 13, 2017
MY CLUTCH BLEW ON 2/7/17 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MULTILANE BUSY CITY STREET. ALL FUNCTION OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION CEASED AS I WAS DRIVING, AND I COASTED ACROSS A LANE AND TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I AM THANKFUL THAT I DID NOT GET HURT. HOWEVER, I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT MY CAR, A 2011 MAZDA3, STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING! THIS DIRECTLY PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER! I AM AWARE THAT MAZDA HAS A KNOWN CLUTCH RELEASE ASSEMBLY DEFECT - "A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS OFTEN, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION AND BECOMES INOPERABLE.' (HTTPS://TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/333511-MAZDA-CLASS-ACTION-SAYS-AUTOMAKER-HID-CLUTCH-DEFECT-DECADE/).
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 11, 2017
PASSENGER SEAT BELT SAYS PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WHEN HOOKED UP. IT STAYS OFF WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN IT.
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
Air bags, Aug 9, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" - I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A LETTER ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL AND I NEED A CLEAR EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE, WHICH BY THE WAY BOTH AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON(DRIVER SIDE & PASSENGER SIDE), BUT YET I RECEIVED A LETTER TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. EXPLAIN?
Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 7, 2017
SOMETIMES TURNS ON THE LIGHT OF ACTIVATED AIRBAGS AND EVEN IF THE EMERGENCY LEVER IS FULLY RAISED, THE CARRAIGE MOVES AS IF IT WERE DOWN.
Seats, Jul 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2017. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (SANTA MARIA MAZDA IN SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA) AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Seats, May 1, 2017
LIFTER ON DRIVER SEAT BROKE AT THE WELD, DEALERSHIP'S REASON IS WEAR AND TEAR ON A NON MECHANICAL YET WELDED PART. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AS THE SEAT IS NOT STABLE NOR SAFE TO DRIVE.
Steering, Apr 28, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE MANUEL STEERING. A LESS EXPIERIANCED DRIVER WAS OPPERATING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. HAD HIM TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A SHORT TIME AND START THE CAR. POWER STEERING WAS BACK. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR. I ALSO SEE STEERING PROBLEM RECALLS ON THE 2008-2009 MODELS.
Seats, Feb 18, 2017
WOBBLY DRIVERS SEAT. CLUNKY SOUND WHEN TRUING. SOME TIMES MOVES ON TRACK BY ITSELF.PERSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE.
Seats, Feb 13, 2017
SEAT TRACK-OCCUPANT SENSOR RIGHT BCN167SW0A LIGHT FLASHES ON DASHBOARD WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2012. MAZDA WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THIS ANY LONGER, BUT IT SHOULD. I BELIEVE MAZDA HAS A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST BECAUSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN FIVE YEARS.
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.