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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 17, 2016
1) AFTER MOVING THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AT A RED LIGHT, PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN FLASHING A CODE 16. THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LOOSE WIRES OR CONNECTIONS UNDER THE SEAT. 2) CONDENSATION APPEARING IN DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.
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.
Exterior lighting, May 17, 2016
HEADLIGHT SEAL FAILURE; WATER CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE). OCCURS AFTER A CAR WASH, A DRIVE IN THE RAIN, DRIZZLE OR DOWNPOUR IN HIGHWAY OR CITY. ROAD ILLUMINATION DIMINISHED FROM WATER CONDENSATION.
Vehicle speed control, May 2, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE IN A DOG PARK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2016
DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING ABOVE RADIO/INFO SCREEN.
Exterior lighting, Apr 2, 2016
VEHICLE HEADLIGHT FAILED DUE TO FAULTY SEAL ALLOWING MOISTURE TO ENTER THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I BROUGHT THE HEADLIGHT INTO THE DEALER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHT BUT BEFORE IT FAILED. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED STATING THAT IT WAS A COSMETIC ISSUE. NOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COSTS SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CORRECT. RESEARCH ONLINE INDICATES MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR WARRANTY CLAIM AVOIDANCE AND FAILED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES.
Air bags, Seats, Feb 18, 2016
MY 2011 MAZDA 3 DRIVER SEAT HAS COME OFF TRACK WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I WENT TO SLIDE MY SEAT BACK AND THE SEAT POPPED OFF THE TRACK, LUCKILY I CAUGHT MYSELF. MAZDA DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULDNT COVER IT. NOW, 3 WEEKS AFTER MY WARRANTY ENDED, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR HAS LIT UP, ON THE DASH AND ABOVE THE RADIO. MAZDA SAID IT WAS MY SENSOR UNDER MY SEAT BUT STILL HAD TO CHARGE $105 DOLLAR FEE TO FIND THE PROBLEM??? THE AIRBAG SENSOR CAME ON ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. NOBODY WAS IN THE CAR EXCEPT ME.
Air bags, Seats, Feb 10, 2016
THE DRIVERS SEAT WILL SOMETIMES COME OUT OF ITS TRACK, AND NOT LOCK IN SECURELY. WHEN THE SEAT IS LOCKED, IT SEEMS TO BE OK, BUT IF I SHOULD MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD TO ACCOMMODATE FOR A REAR PASSENGER ITS LIKE THE SEAT WILL NOT SIT SQUARELY IN THE TRACK, AND IT WILL EITHER SINK, OR ELEVATE AT ONE CORNER AND SLIDE FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. ITS DANGEROUS IF I WERE TO HIT MY BRAKES, THE SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD INADVERTENTLY CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. ALSO, THERE APPEARS TO BE AN AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT THAT WILL FLASH ON MY DASHBOARD. THIS SEEMS OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES, THE RED LIGHT WILL FLASH INDICATING SOME SORT OF ERROR WITH THE AIRBAG. I'M NOT SURE IF ITS A LOOSE CONNECTION, OR AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. WHEN I ALERTED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR EITHER OF THESE ISSUES. I MENTIONED THAT THESE WERE MOST LIKELY SAFETY ISSUES, NOT LIKE I WANTED FREE TIRES OR A NEW WATER PUMP OR BATTERY OR SOMETHING. JUST ADDRESS WHAT COULD BE A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WITH MY VEHICLE.
Seats, Feb 4, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 MAZDA 3 GRAND TOURING HATCHBACK I HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND. UPON HEARING THAT SOUND. I PRACTICALLY WOUND UP IN THE BACK SEAT. IT APPEARS THAT EITHER A WELD BROKE OR A BOLT SNAPPED SOMEWHERE AT THE BOTTOM IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT ON THE RIGHT. I ALMOST LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY CAR. LUCKILY I STILL HAD A FIRM HAND GRIP ON THE WHEEL TO PULL MYSELF UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
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.
Steering, Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Nov 2, 2015
OEM YOKOHAMA AVID ENVIGOR, FIRST SET OF TIRES LASTED 20,000 MILES. SECOND SET LASTED 20,000 MILES. THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE KEEPS THE TREAD VERY NICE, IT'S THE SIDEWALLS THAT GO COMPLETELY BALD. VERY DANGEROUS IN THE SNOW AND WET ROADS. FIRST I TOOK STS TIRES (YOKOHAMA AUTH.) DEALER TO COURT FOR LYING ABOUT TIRES BEING STILL GOOD. THEN TOOK YOKOHAMA TO COURT....... DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME DOING THIS..... YOKOHAMA IS PAYING SOMEONE OFF AND GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. LITERALLY THE JUDGE DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE. GOT SCREWED BIG TIME. SOMEONE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOKONUMBNUTS FINALLY GETS NAILED FOR SELLING CRAP AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT?
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.
Visibility, Feb 5, 2015
ON FEBRUARY 5, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 0525 HOURS THE SUNROOF GLASS ON MY 2011 MAZDA 3 EXPLODED ONTO ME. I WAS VERY CONFUSED BECAUSE I HAD MY EYES ON THE ROAD AND SAW NO OBJECT AND WAS NOT PASSING AN OVERPASS WERE SOMEONE MAY HAVE DROPPED SOMETHING. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 50 DEGREES. I WAS NORTH BOUND ON I-15 IN CORONA, CA. I BELIEVE THE SUNROOF JUST SHATTERED ON ITS OWN. I PULLED THE OVER IMMEDIATELY AND ATTEMPTED TO DISCOVER THE CAUSE. I WAS UNABLE TO COME TO ANY OTHER CONCLUSION OTHER THAN THE SUNROOF JUST FAILED. THIS WAS VERY STARTLING AND MADE ME JERK THE WHEEL. LUCKILY I DIDN'T STRIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2015, fire
EVIDENCE OF FIRE DAMAGE AROUND THE FIVE SPEED GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM ONLY WITH RADIATED HEAT MELTING THE ADJOINING DRIVERS SEAT. NO OTHER INDICATIONS OF FIRE ANYWHERE ELSE AND THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF DUE TO THE VEHICLES WINDOWS BEING ROLLED-UP WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE TO LACK OXYGEN WHICH IN TURN, CAUSED THE FIRE TO SMOLDER AT WHICH POINT THE OWNER APPROACHED THE CAR AS HE WAS GOING TO WORK AND OBSERVED AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO FIRE OFFICIALS. CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THAT TIME. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Dec 9, 2014
TIRE WEAR TO THE POINT OF REPLACEMENT @ 21K MILES. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Oct 31, 2014
DRIVING SOUTH ON IH-35 IN SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, A BLOWOUT OCCURRED IN RIGHT REAR TIRE. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND SUNNY. THE TIRE IS A TOYO A20, SIZE P205/55R16 89H. THE INNER TIRE WALL SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. DRIVER DID NOT LOSE CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THESE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED FROM DEALER IN 2011. *TR
Seat belts, Oct 3, 2014
THE SEAT BELT JUST STOPPED LOCKING IN PLACE, COMPLETELY STOPPED. IT WON'T CLICK INTO PLACE THEREFORE I CAN'T WEAR THE SEAT BELT. WHICH MEANS I SHOULDN'T EVEN DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM FIX IT! *TR
Steering, Aug 27, 2014
I BOUGHT THIS MAZDA ON JUNE 2014 AND WAS RUNNING GREAT TILL FEW DAYS AGO WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING , I WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE POWER TAKES ALOT OF ELECTRICAL POWER BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN ARLINGTON FOR DIAGNOSTIC, THE RESULT WAS THAT THE PUMP HAS INTERNAL FAILURE AND THAT'S WILL COST ABOUT $1200 TO FIX IT . I HOPE MAZDA WILL FIX IT FOR ME FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY AND IT IS HAS TO DO WITH SAFETY . *TR
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