Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
65,000 miles · Mar 29, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS ACCUMULATED A LOT OF MOISTURE (1/2 CUP OR MORE) WHICH RESULTED IN THE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY HAD THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGE ITS A COMMON PROBLEM, SAID IT WAS A SEAL PROBLEM THAT BURNED OUT THE BALLAST, BUT THAT IT WASN'T …
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THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS ACCUMULATED A LOT OF MOISTURE (1/2 CUP OR MORE) WHICH RESULTED IN THE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY HAD THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGE ITS A COMMON PROBLEM, SAID IT WAS A SEAL PROBLEM THAT BURNED OUT THE BALLAST, BUT THAT IT WASN'T COVERED BY A WARRANTY OR RECALL. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM (GOOGLE MAZDA 3 HEADLIGHT MOISTURE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF EXAMPLES) AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED/FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL QUOTE OVER $1000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN CITY DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY IN A MEMO THEY ACKNOWLEDGE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF WATER SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT BECAUSE ITS NOT A RECALL ANYTHING OVER 3 YEARS WILL NOT BE WARRANTIED (SEE ATTACHED). LASTLY YOU CAN SEE THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULB SEAL HAS AN ACCUMULATED RUST LINE ABOUT HALF WAY UP FROM STANDING WATER IN THE LIGHT THAT RUSTED OUT AND EVENTUALLY BURNED OUT THE BALLAST (ATTACHED).
NHTSA ODI #11081983
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2017
Exterior LightingStructure
EXCESSIVE ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF MOISTURE/WATER GETTING IN HEADLIGHT (PASSENGERS SIDE) CAUSING HEADLIGHT NOT TO WORK. PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN 7/1/2016. WATER GETTING INTO HEADLIGHT AND EFFECTING THE AFS SENSOR ALSO. AFS SENSOR NOT WORKING NOW. AFS SENSOR QUIT WORKING ON OR ABOUT 6/1/2017. HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING 2/1/2017. NON WORKING HE…
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EXCESSIVE ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF MOISTURE/WATER GETTING IN HEADLIGHT (PASSENGERS SIDE) CAUSING HEADLIGHT NOT TO WORK. PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN 7/1/2016. WATER GETTING INTO HEADLIGHT AND EFFECTING THE AFS SENSOR ALSO. AFS SENSOR NOT WORKING NOW. AFS SENSOR QUIT WORKING ON OR ABOUT 6/1/2017. HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING 2/1/2017. NON WORKING HEADLIGHT AND NON WORKING AFS SENSOR IS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11018646
15,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA M3S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA M3S. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #10896029
61,222 miles · Mar 7, 2015
TiresWheels
2011 MAZDA 3 REAR TIRE WEAR ISSUES: CAR HAS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, (INSIDE EDGES) EVEN WHEN TIRES GET ROTATED, CAR IS ALSO ALIGNED CORRECTLY, NO FRONT END ISSUES. AFTER NORMAL DRIVING, THE TIRES GET A BAD FEATHERING WEAR ISSUE, CREATING UNEVEN (INSIDE EDGE) WEAR AND PREMATURE TIRE USAGE. THIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND RECALLED OR CLA…
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2011 MAZDA 3 REAR TIRE WEAR ISSUES: CAR HAS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, (INSIDE EDGES) EVEN WHEN TIRES GET ROTATED, CAR IS ALSO ALIGNED CORRECTLY, NO FRONT END ISSUES. AFTER NORMAL DRIVING, THE TIRES GET A BAD FEATHERING WEAR ISSUE, CREATING UNEVEN (INSIDE EDGE) WEAR AND PREMATURE TIRE USAGE. THIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND RECALLED OR CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD OCCUR. IT'S A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN ENGINEERING, AND VERY COMMON, COSTING OWNERS THOUSAND OF DOLLARS OVER OWNERSHIP LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692764
20,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Structure
THE FRONT DASH SEPARATES AND THE MANUFACTURE WON'T STAND BY IT. *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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