2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed3 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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 could happen: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 0…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 MAZDASPEED3.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V082000 (manufacturer code 0917B).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
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.
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.
Notes: 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.
2. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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 l…
What could happen: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 MAZDASPEED3.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V644000 (manufacturer code 9916H).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
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.
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.
Notes: 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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (2), Body / structure (2), Wheels / tires (2), Electrical system (1), Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
03/29/2018 · Electrical system
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 THE BALLAST, BUT THAT IT WASN'T COVERED BY A WARRANTY OR RECA…
08/21/2017 · Lights
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 WORKING 2/1/2017. NON WORKING HEADLIGHT AND NON WORKING AFS S…
08/15/2016 · Steering
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 AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…
03/07/2015 · Wheels / tires
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 REVIEWED AND RECALLED OR CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD OCCU…
10/24/2014 · Body / structure
THE FRONT DASH SEPARATES AND THE MANUFACTURE WON'T STAND BY IT. *TR