2011 Mazda MAZDA3

● Typical for this model

2011 Mazda MAZDA3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:16:30.466Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2011: 131 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2004	145
2005	97
2006	166
2007	222
2008	303
2009	115
2010	686
2011	131
2012	226
2013	117
2014	137
2015	130
2016	103
2017	83
2018	107
2019	73
2020	32
2021	49
2022	23
2023	12
2024	10
2025	7
2026	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 21%

21% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The airbag system failed to deploy during a major accident I was in, where my car rolled multiple times, and the collision that totaled my car. This includes the front airbags, impact sensors, and/or the airbag control module not activating.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260128

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180121

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171210

SEATS 15%

15% of complaints: seats — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER SEAT GETS REALLY HOT AND BURNS YOUR BACK. HAVE TO TURN OFF AFTER 10 MINS. EVEN ON LOWEST SETTING. KEEPS GETTING TOO HOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130516

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACKWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120913

Defective Driver's seat construction made by Mazda Mfg Corp. I was the first person to report this cheaply made driver's seat failure to Mazda Corp in Irvine, CA in early 2015 or 2016.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240122

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20170308 — structure

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...

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170407 — seats

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V082000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture