VehicleVerdict

2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Mazdaspeed3 years?

Mazdaspeed3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted48 complaints2007: 48 complaints2008: 41 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 44 complaints2011: 8 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 3 complaints
Mazdaspeed3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mazdaspeed3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting225%
Body & Structure225%
Tires & Wheels225%
Electrical System113%
Steering113%

Does the 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V082000SeatsFebruary 9, 2017 · 173,859 units

Defect

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

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.

16V644000Body & StructureSeptember 6, 2016 · 580,455 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 1, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 1, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 3, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 1, 2014

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 6, 2018

2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 — common questions

Is the 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda Mazdaspeed3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mazdaspeed3 years to avoid are 2007, 2010, 2008. The cleanest record among Mazdaspeed3 years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.