Home · 2011 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan · Complaints

What 131 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (131)Crash / fire / injury (16)Airbags (28)Seats (19)Electrical system (15)Body & structure (13)Steering (13)Transmission & drivetrain (12)Lights (10)Visibility & wipers (8)Suspension (7)Tires (7)

Newest first · 131 complaints · page 5 of 6

Jun 6, 2014Steering

ON OR ABOUT APRIL 15TH , DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND ALL FLUID INSPECTION BY EWING ,PLANO ,TX, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING LEAK. AND WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD BRING THE CAR TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP ASAP AFTER I CALLED MAZDA USA. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THAT LASTED A WEEK, TO GET MAZDA USA ON THE PHONE, I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK TO A [XXX] THAT REFUSED TO GIVE HIS LAST NAME, I EXPLAINED HIM ALL THE DETAILS AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR 3/36 WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY FEW DAYS( I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ON 3/16/2011) I ONLY HAD LESS THAN 32000 MILES ON THE CAR,HOWEVER GOOD NEWS HE SAID THE POWER STEERING WAS COVERED UNDER THE 5/60 WARRANTY, OF COURSE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE EVERYONE I SPOKE TO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR STEERING WAS NOT COVERED,AFTER LENGTHY PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH [XXX] AT 18002225500 OPT 6- 2 AND THEN EXTENSION [XXX] COMPLAIN # [XXX], I WAS ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT AT EL DORADO MAZDA IN MCKINNEY,TX AND A LOANER CAR FOR 2 DAYS, THE MANAGER [XXX], A TOTAL RUN AROUND ,[XXX] TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SEEPAGE OF FLUID FROM THE POWER STEERING AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 5/60. I CALLED MAZDA HEADQUARTERS INFURIATED BUT [XXX] WAS NEVER AVAILABLE AND NEVER RETURNED MY PHONE CALLS , MY YOUNG CHILDREN DRIVE THE CAR, POWER STEERING LEAKAGE ARE DANGEROUS, I FOUND OUT THRU INTERNET BLOGGING MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD NEVER BUY ANTHER MAZDA,AND HOPE THE AGENCY WOULD INVESTIGATE MAZDA ,SAFETY ITEM SHOULD ALWAYS BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ( [XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10596559

Apr 1, 2014Tires

3 MILES FROM HOME THE FRONT TIRE ON OUR MAZDA3 CAME APART IN 3 FULL PIECES, TWO SIDE WALLS AND THE CENTER, CAUSING $1800 IN DAMAGE. I RETURNED THE TIRE TO YOKOHAMA TIRE CORP. BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE TIRES FAULT, THEY CALLED IT A RUN FLAT AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. SO WHILE THE CAR WAS AT THE BODY SHOP I HAD FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED ,NOT YOKOHAMA TIRES. ALSO THE ADJUSTER FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY, SAID THAT HE NEVER SEEN A TIRE SEPARATE LIKE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10576470

Mar 25, 2014Visibility & wipers

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER MAZDA3 AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. HER CAR WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND WERE COVERED IN GLASS SHARDS. MADZA REFUSES TO TAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND SAYS I NEED TO PROVE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH THE AUTO BODY SHOP SAYS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO WITH GLASS. MY DAUGHTER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WHEN THE WINDOW EXPLODED AND THANKFULLY SHE DIDN'T LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR FROM THE FORCE OF THE WINDOW SHATTERING AND THE GLASS FALLING INSIDE THE VEHICLE.... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10574706

Jan 30, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

SUDDEN CLUTCH FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10562237

Jan 20, 2014AirbagsCrash

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. AMAZINGLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10560669

Dec 12, 2013Transmission & drivetrain

PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. MAZDA3 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. CLUTCH SUDDENLY BURN OUT AND CANNOT SHIFT GEAR WHILE DRIVING. HEARD SOMETHING WAS FALLING DOWN UNDER THE CLUTCH AND THEN SMELL SMOKY ODOR. CAR DEAD IN MIDDLE OF LOCAL ROAD. ONLY HAVE 16,XXX MILES AND 2.5 YEARS ON THIS CAR. CONTACT THE MAZDA EXPERIENCE CENTER, BUT THEY THINK IT IS A NORMAL WORN OUT PART AND WARRANTY WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF IT. HOWEVER, I THINK THERE IS POSSIBLE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THEIR CLUTCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10555843

Nov 7, 2013Electrical system

THE BATTERY APPEARS TO BE DEAD. AFTER JUMP START, THE CAR WORKS FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START IF LEFT TO SIT OVER NIGHT WITHOUT DRIVING. THE BATTERY WILL NOT POWER THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT ALLOW FUEL TO EXCHANGE FOR A PUSH START (MANUAL 5 SPEED). THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO BEAVERTON MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN BEAVERTON OREGON. THEY TESTED FOR ELECTRICAL LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. DID NOT REPLACE BATTERY. DEALERSHIP GAVE BATTERY A SLOW CHARGE OVERNIGHT. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED AND THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED BATTERY WAS IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. THE CAR DIES 6 DAYS LATER AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR 1 DAY. TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MORE TESTS ARE DONE, WAS CHARGED FOR AN INSPECTION BILL THAT SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. ALMOST 1 YEAR LATER, CAR NOT DRIVEN FOR 1 DAY AND BATTERY IS DEAD. SEEMS TO LEAK ELECTRICITY SOMEWHERE THAT CANNOT BE FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10551224

Oct 7, 2013Engine & cooling

AIR CONDITIONER COILS ARE CONTINUALLY PRODUCING MOLD. CHANGE AIR CABIN FILTER REGULARLY, MOLD IS EVEN GROWING ON FILTERS. WHEN COILS ARE TOUCHED, BLACK MOLD COMES OFF ON RAG. I HAVE SEVERE MOLD ALLERGIES AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE COILS CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY AS WELL AS THE AC VENTS CLEANED TO REMOVE SPORES. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR I'VE EVER HAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10546961

Oct 1, 2013Body & structure

AFTER PARKING, I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. THE CABLE CONNECTING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO THE DOOR LATCH HAD SNAPPED. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT CAR IS TO CLIMB OVER SEAT TO PASSENGER SIDE, OR ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR USING OUTSIDE HANDLE. THERE IS A SIMILAR ITEM I FOUND: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: 10033728. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10546391

Sep 20, 2013Transmission & drivetrainFuel system

AROUND 3000 MILES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED ISSUE OF NOT GOING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP. DEALER INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THIS IS A QUIRK WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND CAN BE SAFELY IGNORED BY STARTING IN A HIGHER GEAR, WHICH WEARS OUT THE TRANSMISSION FASTER. AS OF THREE WEEKS AGO AT THIS POINT, TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHERE IT "POPS" OUT OF SECOND GEAR OR GRINDS AND DAMAGES INTERNAL PARTS BEFORE AUTOMATICALLY MOVING TO NEUTRAL. THIS OCCURS AFTER A NORMAL SHIFT. ALSO HAS DEVELOP ISSUE WHERE IS DOES NOT PROPERLY GO INTO REVERSE, INSTEAD GOING INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE THERE ARE NO OBD2 COMPUTER CODES COMING UP, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED BY THE MAZDA HEAD OFFICE TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION AND PHYSICALLY LOOK AT IT. CURRENTLY I AM VERY HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL DUE TO THE FACT THE I DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE COMMUTING 50 MILES A DAY. I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT MY TRANSMISSION WILL PROPERLY FUNCTION AT HIGHWAY, LOCAL TRAFFIC, OR RESIDENTIAL SPEEDS. I HAVE BARELY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS UNTIL THE REVERSE GEAR ISSUE BECAME CONSISTENT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND THESE ISSUES HAVE ONLY APPEARED AS THIS CURRENT CAR HAS AGED VERY POORLY. THE DRIVE TRAIN HAS SHREDDED 50,000 MILE TIRES IN LESS THAN 25,000 MILES. I FEAR WHAT DAMAGE WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH WAY TOO MUCH FREQUENCY AMONG THE 2011 MAZDA3'S WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AS PER THE OTHER POSTS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP IN HAVING MAZDA PROPERLY INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAGEDY FROM THE VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF LIFE OR BODILY FUNCTION INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10544673

Sep 19, 2013Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO HOLD THE SEAT BELT CLIP IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CLEANED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, HOWEVER FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 11/14/13*LJ. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DECLINED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT UNDER WARRENTY DUE TO THE FAILED AREA CONTAINING A STICKY SUBSTANCE. UPDATED 11/25/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10544383

Aug 11, 2013Visibility & wipers

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OBVIOUS CAUSE. SPEED APPROX. 60 MPH. OPEN ROAD, NO OVERPASS, NO DEBRIS/ROCKS ETC. KICKED UP FROM OTHER CARS. TEMPERATURE WAS LOW 80S, TIME OF DAY WAS 7 PM (NO DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR EXTREME TEMPERATURES). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10534788

Jul 31, 2013Airbags

WHEN A PASSENGER WHO IS 5'2" AND WEIGHS 95 POUNDS SITS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2011 MAZDA 3, THE AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT ON. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. ON MY OTHER CAR (A HONDA) AND ON ALL PREVIOUS MAZDA MODELS I'VE OWNED (323 AND PROTEGE), THIS SAME PASSENGER HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAGS DETECTING HER PRESENCE AS WE NOW DO WITH THE MAZDA 3. IS THERE A NATIONAL SAFETY REGULATION THAT MAZDA IS VIOLATING WITH PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT DON'T DEPLOY WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT? IS THERE A MINIMUM WEIGHT AND HEIGHT STANDARD THAT MAZDA'S PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD BE MEETING? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT SUCH A STANDARD WOULD NOT INCLUDE AN ADULT WHO IS 5'2" AND WEIGHS 95 POUNDS. I'VE SEEN A DISCUSSION ON THE INTERNET AMONG OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM: HTTP://MECHANICS.STACKEXCHANGE.COM/QUESTIONS/1673/2011-MAZDA3-AIRBAG-DISABLED-FOR-LIGHT-PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10532838

Jul 29, 2013Transmission & drivetrain

I FIRST TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER WHEN I NOTICED THE CLUTCH SLIPPING AFTER I SHIFTED OR WHEN I ACCELERATED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. NOW, AFTER 16 DAYS, I FINALLY HAVE MY 2011 MAZDA 3 BACK WITH A COMPLETELY NEW CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. MAZDA PAID 50%, NOT INCLUDING THE RENTAL CAR. MY FINAL BILL: $700 (NOT INCLUDING THE RENTAL CAR COST FOR THIS TIME). THEY REPLACED NOT ONLY THE CLUTCH DISC, BUT THE FLYWHEEL AND ASSOCIATED BEARINGS AND PARTS. APPARENTLY THEY CONSIDER REPLACING THE CLUTCH AT 2 YEARS / 20K MILES TO BE "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IN MY OPINION, THE FACT THAT IT WORE OUT SO QUICKLY, IN ITSELF, MEANS IT WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE DRIVEN A MANUAL CAR FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS (PREVIOUSLY A MAZDA RX-7) WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. I DO NOT ABUSE MY CAR, I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH, AND I DO NOT LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THE CAR. MAZDA WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO ANYONE WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ASSIST ME, SPECIFICALLY THE DISTRICT MANAGER WHO MADE THE DECISION. ON TOP OF THAT, THE WOMAN I SPOKE WITH WHEN I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT (800) 222-5500 WAS NOT ONLY UNHELPFUL, BUT FLAT OUT RUDE AND CONFRONTATIONAL. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE, I PLAN TO TRADE THIS CAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WILL NEED ANOTHER NEW CLUTCH AT 40K MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING. MAZDA HAS LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER FOR LIFE WITH THEIR "GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT" MENTALITY TOWARD WARRANTY CLAIMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10532563

May 16, 2013Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. ON GOING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10512380

May 16, 2013Seats1 injury

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 10512381

May 14, 2013Suspension

I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF A KNOWN REAR CAMBER ISSUE ON THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE MAZDA 3. THE REAR WHEELS ON MAZDA 3 TILT INWARD AT THE TOP. REAR CAMBER ALIGNMENT MATCHED TO "FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS" DOES NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE, AND TILT IS STILL PRESENT - CAUSING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. MAZDA RECOMMENDS ROTATING THE TIRES TO AVOID UNEVEN WEAR, BUT THIS DOES NOT CORRECT THE TILT. ROTATING THE TIRES ACCORDING TO MAZDA'S RECOMMENDATION WITH REAR WORN TIRES BEING PLACED ON THE FRONT CAUSES ROAD NOISE ISSUES. I JUST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD, "THIS IS HOW THE MAZDA3 WAS BUILT TO ASSIST IN ROAD HANDLING." THE REAR CAMBERS OF THE VEHICLE ARE NON-ADJUSTABLE. IF THEY WERE ADJUSTABLE FROM THE FACTORY, MAZDA COULD RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I AM UPSET BECAUSE I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE TIRES MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY NOW THAT WHAT IS CONSIDERED STANDARD - ON VEHICLES THAT ARE ABLE TO BE ADJUSTED SO THAT THE CAMBER IS AT 0. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND MAZDA IS AWARE OF IT, BUT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAZDA CUSTOMERS DEALING WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10511938

Jan 31, 2013TiresWheels

TIRES CUPPING AND WEARING QUICKLY ON INSIDE OF BOTH TIRES IN THE SAME MANNER. RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION WITH MECHANICS INDICATE THE ISSUE IS LIKELY DUE TO CAMBER. CAMBER IS WITHIN MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS, BUT CAUSES EXTREMELY RAPID TIRE WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10495314

Nov 17, 2012Steering

DRIVING FROM WISCONSIN TO CHICAGO ILLINOIS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHEN I STOPPED AT A TOLL BOOTH AND STARTED ON THE ROAD AGAIN, THE POWER STEERING WAS OK AS SOON AS THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE. SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE SAME DAY DRIVING ON SOUTH ON HWY I55 ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME. WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT COMING INTO TOWN AND THEN LEFT THE STOP LIGHT, AGAIN THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ON ANOTHER DAY, IT HAPPENED ONE TIME AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ON AN INCLINED. I BACKED THE CAR UP AND COULD FEEL THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE BUT AFTER THE STOP AND THEN GOING FORWARD, THE POWER STEERING WAS OK. AGAIN ANOTHER DAY, IT HAPPENED BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE BUT AFTER STOPPING AND THEN GOING FORWARD, IT WAS OK ONCE AGAIN. STOPPING THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO FIX ITSELF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO CODES COULD BE RETRIEVED. I ONLY SAW THE LITTLE STEERING WHEEL LIGHT ON THE DASH ONE TIME DURING THESE EPISODES ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT MAY HAVE BEEN ON AND I DIDN'T NOTICE IT EXCEPT FOR THE ONE TIME. NOT GETTING ANY SATISFACTION FROM MY DEALERSHIP, I CALLED [XXX] , THE CAR DOCTOR. I WAS TOLD BY HIM, THAT THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED AT THIS SITE AS HE FELT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10485020

Oct 25, 2012Speed control

WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN MY BRAKING WAS NORMAL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED UNTIL ABOUT 10-15 MPH, HOWEVER FURTHER APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE DIDN'T CONTINUE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SMOOTHLY AND I NOTICED THE ENGINE REVVING AND 'JERKY' CONTINUED FORWARD MOTION. HAD A VEHICLE BEEN STOPPED AT THE SIGN IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE CRASHED, INSTEAD I RAN THE SIGN SLIGHTLY. I QUICKLY FIGURED OUT THE PROXIMITY OF THE BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALLOWED MY (LARGE) FOOT/SHOE TO CATCH THE EDGE OF THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I WAS BRAKING. I COULDN'T DETECT A CHANGE IN PEDAL 'FEEL' WHEN I WAS ENGAGING THE BRAKE VERSUS THE BRAKE PLUS ACCELERATOR. WHILE NOT AN ELECTRONIC MYSTERY AND CLEARLY MY BIG FOOT THAT HIT THE PEDAL, I FIND IT TROUBLING THAT AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WITH 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, NO CRASHES OR TICKETS IN 25 YEARS, WHOSE OWNED ABOUT 12 VEHICLES IN THAT TIME SPAN CAN HAVE THIS HAPPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME - I WONDER IF THIS VEHICLE'S PEDAL GEOMETRY IS OFF. I NOTICED A SIMILAR COMPLAINT FOR THE 2012 MODEL, ALTHOUGH IT SIMPLY SAID IT LURCHED INTO A POLE WHILE PARKING. THAT'S WHAT I WOULD BE SAYING IF I WAS TRYING TO PARK RATHER THAN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, LUCKILY WITH NO LEAD VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10482255

Sep 13, 2012SeatsCrash1 injury

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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE SEAT TRACK WOULD LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ODI 10475341

Aug 6, 2012Seat beltsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2011 MAZDA3 I TOURING 5 SPEEDS 4 DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10469451

May 15, 2012Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FLY WHEEL, CLUTCH, PRESSURE PLATE, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 10458540

Apr 27, 2012SuspensionBrakesTransmission & drivetrain

I WENT ON A TRIP AND HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AND NO BRAKE WORK HAD BEEN DONE TO MY CAR. THE DEALER THAT ROTATED TIRES MECHANIC CALLED ME TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND SHOWED ME THAT MY BRAKES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE ONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD ABOUT 10MM OF BRAKE PAD ON IT AND THE LEFT SIDE HAD ONLY ABOUT 3MM OF BRAKE PAD LEFT. THE MECHANIC INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE THIS TYPE OF BREAK WEARING IS NOT NORMAL. I TOOK IT TO MAZDA THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR MODEL SO HENCE WHY I AM REPORTING MY PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY NO ONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR CAR. BECAUSE I HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE BUYING MY MAZDA AND SIMPLY LOVE MY CAR. BUT NOTHING THAT IS MADE IN BULK IN A FACTORY IS PERFECT AND SOMETIMES THEIR ARE GLITCHES AND THAT IS WHAT RECALLS ARE FOR AND WARRANTIES RIGHT THAT IS WHAT WE PAY SO MUCH MONEY FOR BUYING BRAND NEW CARS. PEACE OF MIND! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10456644

Apr 12, 2012Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3 EQUIPPED WITH DUNLAP SB SPORT 250 225/40/R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSIDE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES WORE DOWN PREMATURELY AND TORE AWAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT YOU COULD SEE THE WIRES ON BOTH TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A TIRE SHOP THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10454971

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Working with the data? Download all 131 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Mazda Mazda3 Sedan verdict →