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    Mazda 3

    EPA MPG: 27 mpg

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

    Reliability

    Overall Reliability

    The 2011 3 is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.

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

    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.

    What Owners Say

    Keyless entry

    "The keyless system only worked for the front doors. The backdoors never opened from inside the car."

    Anonymous, NY (2011 Mazda 3 Unsure 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
    Other electrical system problem

    "1/17/24 174,848 mi - motor die - engine light for power steering /insulation melt off batter cable - intermittent electrical issues - found 1 pt cable problem - loose causing high resistance & heat - replaced engine wire harness $3,657"

    Anonymous, KS (2011 Mazda 3 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
    Tire pressure monitor

    "The tire indicator kept turning on and alarming even after the tire pressure was fixed. It would do this every few months."

    Anonymous, NY (2011 Mazda 3 Unsure 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
    Warning lights

    ""The check-engine light comes on at random, sometimes stays on for weeks, and other times totally random, but no garage has found an engine problem. The car failed the last inspection because of it, and one garage tried a huge scam on me, diagnosing $3,000 worth of repairs. I mad an appt with another garage, but before I could get to it the light went off again so I quickly repeated the emissions testing and it passed! It stayed off for two months, is now back on -- I pay no attention.""

    Anonymous, CT (2011 Mazda 3 Unsure Unsure)

    Brakes

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

    What Owners Say

    Other brakes problem

    ""Electronics control box failed, lighting dashboard indicators for parking brake, skid control, and ABS. Box replacement cost $1522 parts and labor""

    Anonymous, FL (2011 Mazda 3 Unsure 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
    Premature brake wear

    "Mechanic says we live in cold climate and don't drive enough and vehicle not garaged so brakes wear out."

    Anonymous, MA (2011 Mazda 3 Sport Unsure)

    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.

    What Owners Say

    Shocks or struts

    "The bolts that hold the rear suspension to the car literally snapped and fell off in the winter. Mazda makes them from aluminium, apparently, and they just fell off during a very cold snap."

    Anonymous, ON (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
    Wheel bearings

    "Front wheel bearings melted/fused, and it was very hard d to diagnose. The rear bearings had also gone, but there was a loud, distinct noise associated with that, which I would recognize going forward. Mazda uses a lot of aluminium in the parts and they dont do well despite my careful maintenance of the car. Our freeze-thaw winters and very hot summers are making it worse. Have you peeps look at how climate change is affecting autos?"

    Anonymous, ON (2011 Mazda 3 Sport 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.

    What Owners Say

    Other body problem

    ""Front struts needed replacement. That isnt exactly surprising for a car this age, but it was a needed repair.""

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

    Exhaust

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

    What Owners Say

    Exhaust leaks

    ""Exhaust leak had to be repaired to pass inspection. My regular mechanic said the underside of the car was very rusted and said I should take the car to a custom welding shop, which was much cheaper but also much less convient.""

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

    Climate System

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

    What Owners Say

    Condenser

    "Air conditioner wasn't working and had it filled a couple of times until 1 mechanic found it to be totally rotted out."

    Anonymous, MA (2011 Mazda 3 Sport Unsure)

    Engine Minor

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

    What Owners Say

    Engine mounts

    "Rear transmission mount broke causing a tapping sound under acceleration. the mount was replaced, which solved the problem."

    Anonymous A., OR (2011 Mazda 3 Touring 2.0-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.

    What Owners Say

    CV joint

    "Boot failure; replaces RF CV shaft"

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

    Engine Major

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

    Noises/Leaks

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

    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.

    Transmission Major

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

    Paint/Trim

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

    Transmission Minor

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

    In-car Electronics

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

    Engine Cooling

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

    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.

    2011 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

    This Car
    vs. Similar Cars

    Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

    Reliability History
    * Redesign year
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    Overall Reliability Verdict
    NA
    NA

    POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
    Powertrain
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Major
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Minor
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Cooling
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Electrical
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Transmission Major
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Transmission Minor
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Drive System
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Fuel System/Emissions
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Exhaust
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Suspension/Steering
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Brakes
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Climate System
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Build Quality
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Electrical Accessories
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Body Hardware
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Paint/Trim
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Noises/Leaks
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    In-car Electronics
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    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 about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 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.
    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
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