Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Mazda 3

EPA MPG: 27 mpg
Average Retail Price
$4,175 - $6,225

RECALL ALERT:
There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability
/ 100

We expect the 2025 3 will be more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2023 and 2024 models and the Mazda brand score.

The 2011 Mazda 3 has been recalled 2 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2011 Mazda 3 owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

/ 5

What Owners Say

12V battery

"Uncharacterized electrical issue caused draining of battery in days, leaving me to keep vehicle plugged into battery tender at all times when not driving."

Anonymous, ON (2011 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Headlights

"Headlights didn't function. Had 1 bulb replaced. Other one intermittently doesn't work but will work if connection is wiggled. Will have mechanic check it soon."

Anonymous, NJ (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"It just fails to pair sometimes with the phone. And setting up pairing is extremely cumbersome and non intuitive. But it's not a deal breaker. Otherwise the car is great except for bad gas mileage and fairly loud ambient noise"

Anonymous A., DC (2011 Mazda 3 Unsure)
Voice control commands

"The voice command system has a hard time understanding voices, which kind of defeats the purpose of the system. I often have to repeat things many times for the system to understand."

Anonymous A., DC (2011 Mazda 3 Unsure)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Master cylinder

"needed to be replaced"

Anonymous A., SD (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
Squeaking

"New brakes"

Anonymous, QC (2011 Mazda 3 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Exhaust leaks

"Near exterior of rear seats"

Anonymous, IN (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Other exhaust system problem

"TCM"

Anonymous, IL (2011 Mazda 3 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Driveline vibration

"Vibration was caused by CV issue and thats what made me aware of the problem.."

Anonymous, BC (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Heated or cooled seats

"driver side seat base heat failed"

Anonymous, TN (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Ball joints

"corrosion at the right front ball joint resulted in $2100.00 repairs"

Anonymous, TN (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Dash cracked from the sun exposure making it rattle"

Anonymous, IN (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Rust

"Unbelievably quick rust generation and propagation."

Anonymous, ON (2011 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

/ 5

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

/ 5

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

/ 5

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

/ 5

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

/ 5

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

/ 5

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

/ 5

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

/ 5

2011 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
* Redesign year
07
08
09
10*
11
12
13
14*
15
16
Overall Reliability Verdict

NA

POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
NA
Engine Major
NA
Engine Minor
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
Engine Electrical
NA
Transmission Major
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
Drive System
NA
Fuel System/Emissions
NA
Exhaust
NA
Suspension/Steering
NA
Brakes
NA
Climate System
NA
Build Quality
NA
Electrical Accessories
NA
Body Hardware
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
Noises/Leaks
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
SEATS
Feb 09, 2017
If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
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.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 17V082000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 173859
STRUCTURE
Sep 06, 2016
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
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.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 16V644000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 580455
Check Vehicle for Unrepaired Recalls
Enter a valid 17-character VIN
Enter a valid 17-character VIN
Change Vehicle