2011 Mazda Mazda3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, with 132 complaints, 12 crashes and 2 recalls. It's rated Avoid relative to other Mazda3 years, driven mainly by Structure & Body and Airbag complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Mazda3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 132
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2011 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body33 (25%)
- Airbags29 (22%)
- Electrical System22 (17%)
- Other18 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (11%)
- Steering13 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (9%)
- Brakes8 (6%)
- Engine8 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver's seat track and lifter links can shift or move backward abnormally in a rear-end collision, sometimes causing injury.
- Front, side, or overhead airbags fail to deploy during moderate to severe crashes, including hit-and-run and rear-end impacts.
- Airbags reported to deploy only after a delay following impact, with occupants injured by the steering wheel.
- Electrical shorts under the hood or near the gear shifter have caused smoldering or open fires, in one case melting plastic clips near a fuse that owners say should have prevented it.
- Unintended acceleration reported while parking, with the brake pedal depressed and no warning before impact.
- Loss of engine power while idling on an incline, followed by loss of steering and braking control, requiring use of the handbrake.
2011 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V082000Feb 9, 2017Structure & Body173,859 vehicles
Seats
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.
Risk: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
- NHTSA 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Structure & Body580,455 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
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.
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
2011 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Mazda3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 Mazda3 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mazda3?
- NHTSA data shows Structure & Body complaints (33, 25% of total) and Airbags (29, 22%) as the top problem areas, followed by Electrical System issues (22 complaints, including 2 fires).
- Does the 2011 Mazda3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2011 Mazda3: campaign 17V082000 for seat lifter link reinforcement and campaign 16V644000 for liftgate support replacement. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do 2011 Mazda3 problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by problem area: Structure & Body issues appear around 70,000 miles, Airbags around 70,210 miles, and Electrical System issues around 36,100 miles.
- How does the 2011 Mazda3 compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 80 is better than 2010 (100) and 2008 (95) but worse than most other years, including 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which earn Best verdicts.