NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3, describing incidents dated October 23, 2013 to February 6, 2018.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11081983 · Filed March 29, 2018
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…
ODI #11018646 · Filed August 21, 2017
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…
ODI #10896029 · Filed August 15, 2016
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…

Read all 5 complaints

Seat Lifter Links may Crack or Separate

NHTSA #17V082000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported February 9, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 173,859 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 0917B · Owners notified April 7, 2017 · Vehicles built May 12, 2009 – September 30, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Rear Lift Gate may Fall if Lift Gate Stays Corrode

NHTSA #16V644000 · Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate · NHTSA notice

Reported September 6, 2016 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 580,455 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 9916H · Owners notified March 8, 2017 · Vehicles built November 18, 2008 – June 8, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11081983

Incident: February 6, 2018 · Filed: March 29, 2018

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).

Exterior Lighting; Structure

ODI #11018646

Incident: July 1, 2016 · Filed: August 21, 2017

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.

Steering

ODI #10896029

Incident: February 1, 2014 · Filed: August 15, 2016

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

Tires; Wheels

ODI #10692764

Incident: February 3, 2015 · Filed: March 7, 2015

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

Structure

ODI #10649833

Incident: October 23, 2013 · Filed: October 24, 2014

THE FRONT DASH SEPARATES AND THE MANUFACTURE WON'T STAND BY IT. *TR

Other Mazda MAZDASPEED3 model years

Check your 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 VIN

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