2011 Mazda MAZDA3

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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." MY 2011 MAZDA 3 MILEAGE IS 36,915. I WILL TAKE THIS TO MAZDA SERVICE DEPT. ON 1/2/2020 FOR EVALUTAION. THEIR REPAIR EST. ON PHONE WAS $2,000+ - PARTS ONLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM REPORTED ONLINE BY MANY OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND YEAR. CLEARLY THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT ISSUE. ONE THAT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT NIGHT. (I FIRST NOTICED MOISTURE SOMETIME AFTER A DRIVE-THRU CAR WASH 3 MONTHS AGO.)

• 12/27/2019· AIR BAGS

  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. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR AND THE TWO PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WAS AROUND $800. I UNDERSTAND THAT COMPONENTS ON A CAR MAY GO BAD OVER TIME BUT SHOULD SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS AN AIR BAG SENSOR GO BAD IN LESS THAN 9 YEARS? AND IF IT DOES, SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY $800 FOR MY SAFETY WHEN IT SHOULD BE THE COMPANY THAT COVERS THAT. I'VE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS. IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT, THEIR AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OFF AND THAT PERSON COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

• 12/21/2022· POWER TRAIN

  The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

• 12/15/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMCrash

  WHILE DRIVING A LOUD GUN LIKE SOUND HAPPENS. SOUND WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE OFF OR VOLUME TURNED DOWN. THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE BOSE AMP FAILURE WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO FIX FOR FREE OR DIAGNOSE FOR FREE. CONTACTED BOSE AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THEY NO LONGER HONOR AND REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WILL CHARGE $1300 JUST FOR THE AMP ALONE.

• 12/14/2022· SUSPENSION

  The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light and check engine warning lights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the suspension, seat connector, and an unknown software needed to be updated. The contact then stated that due to the suspension failure, the tires were worn prematurely. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

• 12/12/2013· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/10/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  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.

• 12/09/2014· TIRES,WHEELS

  TIRE WEAR TO THE POINT OF REPLACEMENT @ 21K MILES. *TR

• 12/06/2018· TIRES

  DECEMBER 6, 2018 DEAR NHTSA, I HAVE A 2011 MAZDA 3 WITH FOUR (4) WESTLAKE RP18 205/55R16 91V RADIAL TOURING TIRES. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO NOTIFY THE COMPANY THAT AT LEAST THIS LOT OF TIRE OR THIS TIRE LINE IS STRUCTURALLY DEFECTIVE. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES ON PAGE 2. THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPLICATION TO THIS DEFECT INCLUDING BENDING OF TIRE SHIELD, EASY PUNCTUATION AND EASY BLOW-OUT. ALL OF THESE INSTANCES CAN LEAD TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND EVEN DEATH. FOR INSTANCE, RECENTLY ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS PUNCTURED BOTH OF MY 2 BACK TIRES. THESE TIRES WERE FLAT WITHIN 30 MINUTES WHILE I WAS OUT SHOPPING AND A 20 MINUTES DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MY HOME. I PURCHASED A FOOT AIR PUMP TO PUT ENOUGH AIR IN MY TIRES TO TRAVEL ONE BLOCK AWAY TO THE AUTO SHOP TO REPLACE BOTH TIRES. FURTHERMORE, I DROVE AT SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY AT LESS THAN 20 MPH (MILES PER HOUR). AT THE STORE THEY REMOVED THE TIRE AND IDENTIFIED THE OBSTRUCTIONS, HOWEVER, THE TIRES EXPLODED VERY EASILY. THESE TIRES CAN BE PURCHASED FROM WAL-MART AND AMAZON FOR $44.24 EACH OR $176.96 FOR 4 TIRES ONLINE. I THINK THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THIS MATTER PURSUED VIGOROUSLY PARTICULAR BECAUSE OF THE UPCOMING 2018 HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON. ON OCTOBER 16, 2018, I MAILED A CORRESPONDENCE LETTER TO TIRECO INC., SUPER-REPRESENTATIVE OF WESTLAKE TIRE. THE LETTER IS LISTED ABOVE. THIS MAIL WAS CERTIFIED WITH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE UNDER CODE: 7018 0680 0000 5488 3046. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE COMPANY. AS STATED ABOVE, I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE STRUCTURALLY DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/06/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE FRONT LIGHTS SEEM TO BUILD CONDENSATION AND CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THAT IS EMITTED FROM THEM AT NIGHT, LEADING TO A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO AFFECTS THE TURN SIGNALS AND CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC FAILURE THAT COSTS OVER $1,000 TO FIX THAT MAZDA CLAIMS IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR FACTORY WARRANTY. THIS HAS BECOME A HUGE PROBLEM AND ONE QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TURNS UP HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE, ISSUE A RECALL IN ORDER TO FIX THE AFFECTED UNITS AND FORCE MAZDA'S HAND TO LAY THE COST BURDEN ON THEM AND NOT THE CUSTOMER AS IT IS COMPLETELY ON THEIR MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES THAT DO NOT PROVIDE A PROPER SEAL AROUND THE LIGHTING THAT ALLOWS THIS TO OCCUR. DEALERSHIP SALESMEN ARE SCHOOLED TO TELL CUSTOMERS THAT IT WILL "BURN OFF" AS THE LIGHTS ARE ON LONGER AND ITS NOT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, WHEN REALLY IT CAN LEAD TO SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE LEADING TO DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARDS AT NIGHT.

• 12/05/2018· AIR BAGS,SEATS

  AIR BAG LIGHT ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE WIRING AND WEIGHT SENSOR. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT PUTS PASSENGERS AT RISK. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

• 12/05/2016· STRUCTURE

  HOOD LATCH STRIKER RUSTS AT ITS WELDING POINT. IF IT SEPARATES FROM THE HOOD, FOLLOWING MAY OCCUR DURING VEHICLE MOVEMENT: 1. HOOD OPENS AND IMPACTS DRIVER FRONT VISIBILITY 2. HOOD BRAKES THE WINDSHIELD AND POTENTIALLY INJURES THE DRIVER 3. HOOD SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE AND IMPACTS OTHER DRIVERS (BEHIND)

• 12/04/2022· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Transmission Control Module Failed while driving. Do to this there was a loss in ability to properly shift which made driving dangerous. There has been several online reports and accounts about this specific car signaling a check engine light coming on, AT light coming on and when other indirect or incorrect codes like Solenoid (A), (B), or (C). Luckily I did not crash therefore, I have no inspections have been necessary by police or insurance representatives. But I did have my local mechanic shop diagnose the problem. I noticed the car shifted a little weird but, no lights, warning, or messages came prior to failure. In the first couple of minutes prior to the first failure, was a simple check engine light which read a code for the Solenoid. Local shop diagnosed Transmission Control Module Failure and proceeded to "fix" the module. Second Failure was mid drive, AT light came on and a few minutes into my drive back home to park the car, it failed.

• 11/24/2025· 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 start shifting and if you're not holding the brake completely down it will make the car lurch forward like 2-3 feet more if you don't react fast enough. This is a serious problem as it can cause a wreck. And you never know when it's going to happen there will be no symptoms it will just go into limp mode sometimes it'll rapidly go in and out and I'm sure that's causing damage to my transmission. Please make Mazda recall the TCM part and replace it. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my complaint/safety issue. Have a good day or night!!!

• 11/21/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. MY FOOT WAS SQUARELY ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME BUT I WAS BEING PULLED SLOWLY FORWARD ON TO A BUSY ROADWAY. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE SHOULDER TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND THEN SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. MY FOOT PLACEMENT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR, AND THERE WERE NO OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS (I.E. CARPETS). WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL. AS AN ENGINEER, I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT WHAT EVER HAPPENED WAS ELECTRONIC IN NATURE, NOT A MECHANICAL OBSTRUCTION OR STICKING LINKAGE (I DID NOT TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL WHEN I RESTARTED). PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I HAD BEEN DRIVING SLOW THOUGH A BUSINESS PARK AT 10 TO 15 MILES AND HOUR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, I WAS AT A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE OR SINCE. MAZDA HAS EXAMINED THE CAR AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. I LIKE THE CAR, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FLAW ON RECORD. *TR

• 11/19/2017· AIR BAGS

  "TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON TIME BY TIME FOR UNKNOWN REASON . I BRING THIS TO ATTENTION ON TIME IN MY BUMPER TO BUMPER GUARANTEE IN MY DEALER ON 2011, DEALER SAID THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL ON OCT 2017 THAT A POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT IS RELATED TO AIR BAG , I AM WORRIED THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG IN MY AIRBAG ,SO I ADVISED MY DEALER THEY REFUSED TO CHECK BY FREE AND ASKING ME TO PAID FOR A REVIEW BECAUSE THERE IS NOT RECALL REGISTER IN MY VEHICLE. WELL I PREVIOUSLY ADVISED ON TIME ON 2011 ABOUT THIS SITUATION, THAT IS THE LIGT IS ON TIME BY TIME THAT MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG IS NOT FAIR, THAT I NEED TO PAID FOR A REVIEW WORK . THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH UNKNOWN REASON WHEN I INFORMED ON TIME. NOW THAT I KNOW ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT , I JUST ASKING FOR A REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE DUE TO THIS CIRCUMSTANCES.

• 11/17/2012· STEERING

  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

• 11/16/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE IS A GROWING GAP. IT OCCURRED OVER TIME AND IS CONTINUING TO GET WORSE.

• 11/07/2013· ELECTRICAL 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

• 11/02/2015· STEERING,SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  OEM YOKOHAMA AVID ENVIGOR, FIRST SET OF TIRES LASTED 20,000 MILES. SECOND SET LASTED 20,000 MILES. THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE KEEPS THE TREAD VERY NICE, IT'S THE SIDEWALLS THAT GO COMPLETELY BALD. VERY DANGEROUS IN THE SNOW AND WET ROADS. FIRST I TOOK STS TIRES (YOKOHAMA AUTH.) DEALER TO COURT FOR LYING ABOUT TIRES BEING STILL GOOD. THEN TOOK YOKOHAMA TO COURT....... DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME DOING THIS..... YOKOHAMA IS PAYING SOMEONE OFF AND GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. LITERALLY THE JUDGE DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE. GOT SCREWED BIG TIME. SOMEONE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOKONUMBNUTS FINALLY GETS NAILED FOR SELLING CRAP AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT?

• 11/02/2015· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF AND IT'S ALWAYS ON. THE ICON ON THE DASH IS INDICATING CODE 16. NOBODY IS SEATING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

• 11/01/2022· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  The Baffle in my tank has broken loose for uncertain reasons. This seems to be a common problem with Mazda and has had a recall in the 2015 models even.

• 11/01/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP. AS A RESULT, THE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/31/2014· TIRES,WHEELS

  DRIVING SOUTH ON IH-35 IN SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, A BLOWOUT OCCURRED IN RIGHT REAR TIRE. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND SUNNY. THE TIRE IS A TOYO A20, SIZE P205/55R16 89H. THE INNER TIRE WALL SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. DRIVER DID NOT LOSE CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THESE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED FROM DEALER IN 2011. *TR

• 10/25/2012· VEHICLE SPEED 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

• 10/15/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE VEHICLE HAS UNINTENDED SURGES IN ACCELERATION DURING DRIVING OR BACKING OUT THE DRIVE. WAS TOLD TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT FROM THIS AS OF YET. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT I WAS UNUSED TO THE ACCELERATOR. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE FOGGED FROM THE INSIDE (WATER UNDER THE HEADLIGHTS) THIS RESULTS IN THE LIGHT BEAM NOT BEING STRONG ENOUGH AT NIGHT TO BE AS VISIBLE AS SHOULD BE TO OTHERS OR MYSELF.

• 10/08/2020· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF WITH NOBODY IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND NOT CONSISTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DASHBOARD HAS COME APART FROM THE CENTER PIECE ON THE DASH WITH THE DIGITAL DISPLAY. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TEXAS IN 2013, DROVE TO MAINE IN 2015 AND DRIVEN TO VIRGINIA SINCE 2018. PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS STRANGE BROWN MARKS INSIDE THE MIRROR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. OWNER DOES NOT SMOKE. STRANGE CLUNKY NOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION, NOT CONSISTENT VERY RANDOM. SMOOTH ROAD, BUMPY ROAD, FAST OR SLOW, THE SOUND JUST RANDOMLY HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. HEADLIGHTS FORM MOISTURE, OWNER BOUGHT NEW HEADLIGHTS WITH MECHANIC INSTALL AND THEY STARTED TO COLLECT MOISTURE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER INSTALLATION. OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2013 TO PRESENT. VEHICLE PURCHASED AT APPROX 60K MILES, CURRENTLY APPROX 130K MILES.

• 10/07/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE

  PASSENGER HEADLAMP GETTING EXCESSIVE CONDENSTATION BUILD UP AFTER CAR WASH OR RAIN STORM EVENTUALLY CAUSES HID BULB AND BALLAST FAILURE DUE TO SHORT CAUSED BY WATER INGRESS. HOUSING HAS BEEN CHANGED AND STILL LEAKS IN ALMOST EXACT SAME PATTERN AS OLD HOUSING. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AS IT AFFECTS MY ABILITY TO SAFELY, AND LEGALLY DRIVE MY CAR IN LOW OR NO LIGHT CONDITIONS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

• 10/07/2013· ENGINE AND ENGINE 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

• 10/03/2014· SEAT BELTS

  THE SEAT BELT JUST STOPPED LOCKING IN PLACE, COMPLETELY STOPPED. IT WON'T CLICK INTO PLACE THEREFORE I CAN'T WEAR THE SEAT BELT. WHICH MEANS I SHOULDN'T EVEN DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM FIX IT! *TR

• 10/01/2013· 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

• 09/24/2011· SUSPENSION

  CLUNKING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROAD. DEALER FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK NUT IN THE LEFT REAR WAS LOOSE AND TIGHTENED IT. PREVIOUSLY FILED COMPLAINT 10411790 FOR SAME PROBLEM ON RIGHT REAR. ONLINE MAZDA FORUMS INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

• 09/22/2011· STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 MAZDA 3 FROM MAZDA OF ESCONDIDO. ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AT WHICH POINT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AS I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE I NOTICED DIFFICULTY WITH THE POWER STEERING. ALSO, THE DSC BUTTON WOULD NOT TURN ON/OFF WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON. ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 THE SAME TWO LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE LIGHTS AND THE ODOMETER READING SO WE COULD SHOW THE DEALER. DUE TO A PRIOR WRIST INJURY POWER STEERING IS A MUST FOR ME. *TR

• 09/20/2022· STEERING

  UNKNOWN. Electric power steering just suddenly stopped working for no apparent reason. Very hard to steer. DANGEROUS!

• 09/20/2013· POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION 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

• 09/19/2017· AIR BAGS

  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? THANK YOU.

• 09/19/2013· SEAT 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

• 09/17/2020· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP . SUPER HARD TO PULL OVER. VERY DANGEROUS. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COME UNILL I TURN VEHICLE OFF AND ON. I HAVE READ MANY POST ON LINE OF THIS HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE AND I'M SHOCKED THIS IS NOT A ACTIVE RECALL OR HAVEN'T CAUSED ANY DEATHS.

• 09/16/2025· 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 the passenger cabin. This condition presents a safety and health risk to occupants. My daughter drives the vehicle daily to college and is regularly exposed to these fumes. To confirm the problem, I used a Temtop M2000C Advanced Air Quality Monitor and recorded the following CO₂ levels inside the cabin compared to outside air: - Outside vehicle (baseline): 348 ppm - Inside after 1 minute: 436 ppm - Inside after 5 minutes: 1,027 ppm - Inside after 15 minutes: 1,645 ppm According to the monitor’s air quality guide, 1,501–2,500 ppm CO₂ is classified as “Unhealthy.” These readings indicate a measurable intrusion of emissions into the cabin. Mazda Customer Experience has acknowledged the vehicle is outside the SSP A9 warranty window and denied repair assistance, but I believe this issue is no longer cosmetic. The defect now creates a condition that may adversely affect occupant health and safety and should be considered under NHTSA’s authority for potential investigation. The vehicle can be inspected upon request. A Mazda dealer (Group 1 Mazda Denton, Texas) has provided a repair estimate of $1,307.77 for instrument panel replacement. Photos of the gap and air quality readings are available.

• 09/14/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  My Mazda 3 2011 dash is splitting and it was inspected by the Mazda dealership. It pulls a safety issue because the glue and sticky material that was coming from the dash is shining into my eyes every time I drive during daylight. I am afraid the airbags will be affected too because the dash is coming part that means air bags can be a malfunction also.

• 09/14/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  my Mazda 3 2011 passenger headlight always had water coming into the headlight itself. It has condensation and it is hard to see when using the headlight itself at night. have to wait a few days or so to clear up and then my headlights will flicker because of the water seeping inside of it.

• 09/13/2012· SEATSCrash

  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.

• 09/01/2020· SEATS

  SUNDAY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN MY DRIVERSIDE SEAT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE SEATS HARNESS THATS BOLTED INTO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. AS RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THAT EXACT SAFETY ISSUE HAD A RECALL. IVE MADE MULTIPLE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS AT SCHEDULING MY CAR TO BE SERVICED BY MAZDA. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL CALL ME BACK. THIS HAS YET TO HAPPEN.

• 09/01/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  MY DASHBOARD HAS SEPERATED FROM MY CONTROL PANEL DUE TO HEAT IN FLORIDA EVEN THOUGH I USE SUN VISOR EACH DAY. ALSO I NOTICE THAT THE ELECTRONIS DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO WORK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, AFTER TURNING THE KEU TO THE OPEN POSITION AND RETURNING THE KEY BACK TO THE START POSSITION THE CAR RE LOCKS ITSELF ABOUT 70% OF THE TIME

• 08/27/2014· STEERING

  I BOUGHT THIS MAZDA ON JUNE 2014 AND WAS RUNNING GREAT TILL FEW DAYS AGO WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING , I WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE POWER TAKES ALOT OF ELECTRICAL POWER BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN ARLINGTON FOR DIAGNOSTIC, THE RESULT WAS THAT THE PUMP HAS INTERNAL FAILURE AND THAT'S WILL COST ABOUT $1200 TO FIX IT . I HOPE MAZDA WILL FIX IT FOR ME FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY AND IT IS HAS TO DO WITH SAFETY . *TR

• 08/25/2017· SEATS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V082000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WESTCOTT MAZDA (LOCATED AT 2800 NATIONAL CITY, NATIONAL CITY CA, 91950, TEL: (619)474-1591) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 08/24/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  TAKATA AIRBAG: ON 12/25/16 SUNDAY MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE IN A HIT AND RUN, MY AIRBAG (DRIVER SIDE) DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD I WAS KNOCK INTO A 360 SPIN. (INSURANCE PROVIDER: PROGRESSIVE POLICY #[XXX], DETROIT POLICE REPORT #[XXX]) I WAS IN MOTION ENTERING THE INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET, DRY ROAD CONDITION. I DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL I USED WORK SICK DAY SINCE I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK (POLICE OFFICER) (EMAIL: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

• 08/24/2014· STRUCTURE

  LAST MONTH WE NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE ABOVE CAR IS LITERALLY MELTING. WE NOTICED AT IT HAD A SHINY APPEARANCE AND WHEN WE TOUCHED IT WITH OUR HAND, OUR HAND LITERALLY STUCK TO THE DASHBOARD. WE HAVE NOT USED ANY SOLVENTS OR CLEANERS TO WIPE OFF THE DASH. OTHER THAN COMPLAIN, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO ? *TR

• 08/16/2024· 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.

• 08/14/2017· TIRES

  AN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEAR OLD OHTSU TIRE STARTED TO SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING AROUND 70 MILES AN HOUR.