2011 Mazda Mazda3: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2011 / mazda / mazda3
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-19)
complaints132 on file (2011-03-30 → 2026-07-16)
recalls2
investigations1
fars73 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Driver seat lifter link and track failureSEATS15 complaints2012-09 → 2026-07mazda3-2011-seat-lifter-failure
  • 11750889 The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front driver’s side seat wobbled and was unsecured
  • 11421476 The seat height adjustment lifter link has broken and my driver seat wobbles tilting up and down during normal operation. There is a recall for this exact issue for this exact model of vehicle 2011 Mazda 3
Dashboard and instrument panel separationSTRUCTURE19 complaints2014-08 → 2025-09mazda3-2011-dashboard-separation
  • 11687666 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)
  • 11340089 THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE CLOCK AND INFO DISPLAY SEPARATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Headlight assembly moisture intrusionEXTERIOR LIGHTING6 complaints2016-04 → 2021-09mazda3-2011-headlight-moisture
  • 11292095 MECHANIC'S REPORT 12/28/2019: "RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER SIDE) HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS MAJOR MOISTURE CONTAMINATION. HID CONTROLLER FAILURE DUE TO MOISTURE; HID BULB OUT. REPAIR EST. $1,500 - $2,000."
  • 10865443 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
Power steering assist loss while drivingSTEERING10 complaints2011-09 → 2022-09mazda3-2011-power-steering-loss
  • 11485378 UNKNOWN. Electric power steering just suddenly stopped working for no apparent reason. Very hard to steer. DANGEROUS!
  • 11217481 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF ANY INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Clutch failure in manual transmissionPOWER TRAIN10 complaints2011-03 → 2022-12mazda3-2011-clutch-failure
  • 11387260 I GOT THIS CAR BACK IN AUGUST NOT KNOWING ABOUT MAZDA'S CLUTCH ISSUES. I GOT THE CAR WITH ABOUT 101,000 MILES, AND WHEN I GOT TO ABOUT 112,000, MY CLUTCH FAILED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN KANSAS
  • 10393754 ON FRIDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY CAR (SHE LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE ON A MANUAL AND HAS NO PROBLEMS DRIVING IT) ON A BACK COUNTRY 2 LANE ROAD WITH OUR SON IN THE BACK AND OUT OF CELL PHONE COVERAGE
Transmission control module failure causing limp modeUNKNOWN OR OTHER5 complaints2020-02 → 2025-11mazda3-2011-tcm-limp-mode
  • 11701203 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
  • 11495977 Transmission Control Module Failed while driving. Do to this there was a loss in ability to properly shift which made driving dangerous
Airbag failure to deploy during crash impactAIR BAGS7 complaints2014-01 → 2026-01mazda3-2011-airbag-non-deployment-crash
  • 11713964 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
  • 10560669 THE MAZDA 3 HIT A LARGE TRUCK BROADSIDE, WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE MAZDA IS LIKELY TOTALED. THOUGH THE MAZDA 3 IS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT, SIDE AND OVERHEAD AIRBAGS, NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT, NOT EVEN THE DRIVER'S-SIDE FRONT AIRBAG
Passenger airbag warning light and occupant sensor faultAIR BAGS15 complaints2011-05 → 2021-01mazda3-2011-airbag-warning-light
  • 11291626 I PURCHASED A USED 2011 MAZDA 3 IN MARCH 2019. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT AT THE TIME BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING A CODE 16 ON THE DASH. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO PAY $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE
  • 11024244 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?

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1322011-03-302026-07-16122AIR BAGS:29; SEATS:20; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:18; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:15; STEERING:13

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
17V08200009/02/2017SEATSMazda 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.
16V64400006/09/2016STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATEMazda 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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
EA21002openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2021-09-17··From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202473legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2011 Mazda Mazda3 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/mazda/mazda3
@misc{wrenchpro_2011_mazda_mazda3_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2011 Mazda Mazda3},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/mazda/mazda3}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)