Does the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, the most recent reported on February 9, 2017 (Seats). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3?

Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (29 complaints), followed by seats (20).

How many 2011 Mazda MAZDA3 complaints mention a crash or fire?

12 of 132 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 13 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 Mazda MAZDA3 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 132 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3.

recalls

132

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Mazda MAZDA3 recalls

Seats

NHTSA campaign 17V082000 · reported February 9, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations · 173,859 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.

Structure: body, hatchback/liftgate

NHTSA campaign 16V644000 · reported September 6, 2016 · Mazda North American Operations · 580,455 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags29
Seats20
Unknown or other18
Electrical system15
Steering13
Structure13
Power train12
Exterior lighting10
Suspension7
Tires7

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 16, 2026 · Seats · 167,850 miles
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. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the front driver’s side seat lifter link was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet…

Jan 28, 2026 · Air bags · crash reported
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. The vehicle is currently in the possession of the insurance company and can…

Nov 24, 2025 · Unknown or other
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. It's a safety hazard because of when it's stuck in limp mode sometimes if your at a light or something it'll…

Sep 16, 2025 · Unknown or other
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). While originally described as a cosmetic issue, in my vehicle the gap now allows engine odors and emissions to enter…

Aug 16, 2024 · Unknown or other
The car is jerking and check engine light is on. Also when you are stopped and press on the gar it takes a bit to get speed. The transmission control module needs to be replaced. There seems to be this issue on many mazda's just not sure why a recall hasn't been done for this case.

MAZDA3 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2008	2	303	29	1
2009	3	115	11	1
2010	3	686	18	5
2011	2	132	12	2
2012	1	226	9	1
2013	1	117	7	2
2014	4	138	10	1

Across all years, the 2010 MAZDA3 has the most complaints (686). All Mazda MAZDA3 years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, the most recent reported on February 9, 2017 (Seats). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3?: Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (29 complaints), followed by seats (20).
How many 2011 Mazda MAZDA3 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 12 of 132 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 13 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 16, 2026.