3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,900 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Mazda MAZDA3 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2011 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner Comments

problem #15

Nov 242022

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission Control Module Failed while driving. Do to this there was a loss in ability to properly shift which made driving dangerous. There has been several online reports and accounts about this specific car signaling a check engine light coming on, AT light coming on and when other indirect or incorrect codes like Solenoid (A), (B), or (C). Luckily I did not crash therefore, I have no inspections have been necessary by police or insurance representatives. But I did have my local mechanic shop diagnose the problem. I noticed the car shifted a little weird but, no lights, warning, or messages came prior to failure. In the first couple of minutes prior to the first failure, was a simple check engine light which read a code for the Solenoid. Local shop diagnosed Transmission Control Module Failure and proceeded to "fix" the module. Second Failure was mid drive, AT light came on and a few minutes into my drive back home to park the car, it failed.

- Mesquite, NV, USA

problem #14

Jan 122022

MAZDA3

  • miles
Automatic transmission failure. It causes the vehicle to jar around and have misproper steering. For example improper acceleration causes inability to move in a fluid motion. Causes risks of someone rearending or hitting another vehicle.

- Dallastown, PA, USA

problem #13

Sep 142021

MAZDA3

  • miles
My Mazda 3 2011 dash is splitting and it was inspected by the Mazda dealership. It pulls a safety issue because the glue and sticky material that was coming from the dash is shining into my eyes every time I drive during daylight. I am afraid the airbags will be affected too because the dash is coming part that means air bags can be a malfunction also.

- Monterey Park, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 202021

MAZDA3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission slips out and shift shock in first gear to second year. Over revving and bucking on the freeway. These are BAD transmissions

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #11

Jan 012021

MAZDA3

  • miles
The dashboard is lifting up possibly affecting the drivers side and passengers side airbags deployment. I am very concerned I dont know when it happened

- Bristol, CT, USA

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problem #10

Apr 012013

MAZDA3

  • miles
Passenger airbag light will go on and off with nobody in the seat. This happens randomly and not consistently. Sometimes while stationary, sometimes while driving. The dashboard has come apart from the center piece on the dash with the digital display. Car was purchased in Texas in 2013, drove to Maine in 2015 and driven to Virginia since 2018. Progressively gotten worse rear view mirror has strange brown marks inside the mirror making it difficult to see. Owner does not smoke. Strange clunky noise from rear suspension, not consistent very random. Smooth road, bumpy road, fast or slow, the sound just randomly happens from time to time. Headlights form moisture, owner bought new headlights with mechanic install and they started to collect moisture about a year after installation. Owner of vehicle since 2013 to present. Vehicle purchased at approx 60K miles, currently approx 130K miles.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #9

Dec 142018

MAZDA3

  • 134,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were riding down the road and all of a sudden it sounded like a machine gun was going threw my speakers and the radio control would not control the load ness of it. We had to ride over 3 miles to the exit and get out when I turned the car off it stopped. Then it would make a awful crackling noise when the key wasn't even in the ignition. That went on for a couple of weeks now the radio doesn't work at all and it still crackles from time to time. I looked online and apparently a lot of people have been having the same issue and they said that the bose amplifier is going out making that noise. I've contacted bose waiting for a response. I'm just glad I wasn't in the car alone when it happened because we were on the interstate and it scared the crap out of us!

- Elkin, NC, USA

problem #8

Nov 012018

MAZDA3

  • 76,000 miles
The dashboard is separating from the instrument panel. There is a growing gap. It occurred over time and is continuing to get worse.

- Celina, TX, USA

problem #7

Sep 072014

MAZDA3

  • 50,000 miles
My dashboard has seperated from my control panel due to heat in Florida even though I use sun visor each day. Also I notice that the electronis door locks fail to work when attempting to unlock the door, after turning the keu to the open position and returning the key back to the start possition the car re locks itself about 70% of the time

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 012011

MAZDA3

  • miles
The vehicle has unintended surges in acceleration during driving or backing out the drive. Was told to service department at local dealership during routine maintenance; I was told that they could find nothing. There has been no accident from this as of yet. This has been ongoing since the date of purchase. At first, I thought I was unused to the accelerator. Also, the headlights on this vehicle are fogged from the inside (water under the headlights) this results in the light beam not being strong enough at night to be as visible as should be to others or myself.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #5

Jun 012016

MAZDA3

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dashboard is separating at the top of the info screen.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 132016

MAZDA3

  • 110,000 miles
The dashboard is detaching or coming apart from the information center

- Hapeville, GA, USA

problem #3

Apr 012016

MAZDA3

  • 85,000 miles
Dashboard is separating above radio/info screen.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 132012

MAZDA3

  • 30,000 miles
I left the lights on and this drained the battery. I had my jumper cables in the spare-wheel compartment. There was no way to open the hatch (fifty door) from the inside, or any other way. Seems like the only way that the back door opens is electronically. This is a flaw in testing and design, this needs addressed for safety reasons, numerous to mention. Suggestion: Have a manual latch to open the back door (hatch) from the inside in the event electrical power is lost.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #1

Oct 132011

MAZDA3 4-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
I stopped at a stop sign and my car started accelerating as if the accelerator was fully depressed. My foot was squarely on the brake at the time but I was being pulled slowly forward on to a busy roadway. I am an experienced driver and was able to turn the car sharply to the right along the shoulder to avoid oncoming traffic. I shifted into park, and then shut the engine off. My foot placement was no where near the accelerator, and there were no other obstructions (I.e. carpets). When I restarted the car the engine sounded normal. As an engineer, I am fairly certain that what ever happened was electronic in nature, not a mechanical obstruction or sticking linkage (I did not touch the gas pedal when I restarted). Prior to this incident I had been driving slow though a business park at 10 to 15 miles and hour for a couple of minutes, I was at a doctor appointment. I have not seen this issue before or since. Mazda has examined the car and did not see anything. I like the car, but I thought it was important to get this potentially dangerous flaw on record.

- Jamison, PA, USA

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