Model year
2011 Mazda 3
NHTSA does not list the EPA model name 3 for 2011. Under the matched name MAZDA3, NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 132 complaints (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints for MAZDA3 are AIR BAGS (28), SEATS (20), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 23–28 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,400–$2,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2004 145 complaints
- 2005 97 complaints
- 2006 166 complaints
- 2007 222 complaints
- 2008 303 complaints
- 2009 115 complaints
- 2010 686 complaints
- 2011 132 complaints
- 2012 226 complaints
- 2013 117 complaints
- 2014 138 complaints
- 2015 130 complaints
- 2016 104 complaints
- 2017 84 complaints
- 2018 110 complaints
- 2019 74 complaints
- 2020 32 complaints
- 2021 54 complaints
- 2022 24 complaints
- 2023 12 complaints
- 2024 12 complaints
- 2025 8 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Matched NHTSA names
The EPA model name is not itself a name in the NHTSA file for 2011. The counts in the answer are the sum of the names below. Overlap between those names is not removed.
| NHTSA name | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAZDA3 | 2 | 132 | 1 |
Recalls for MAZDA3
17V082000 · Feb 9, 2017
SEATS
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…
16V644000 · Sep 6, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
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,…
Complaints for MAZDA3
132 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 12, fire flag on 2, injury field 13, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations for MAZDA3
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 · possibility 0.109 | NHTSA photo |
| 2011 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 · possibility 0.109 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 32 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| 3 · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| 3 · 2.5L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| 3 · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2011 Mazda 3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.