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Air bagsPart report

2011 Mazda MAZDA3 Air bags Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
22%of 132 total for the year
Median mileage
70,210miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, 22% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,210 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Airbags: did not deploy upon impact of a streetlamp pole on the front driverside quarter. Front farring damaged and replaced. I was turning left, it was raining, the glare of the light blinded me enough to go up on the curb and impact the streetlamp pole. I replaced the farring and had my MAZDA3 fully aligned. Electrical: purchased vehicle in october 2016. Replaced battery 4 times, alternator 3 times since purchase. Seat heaters haven't worked ever. Driverside seat started wiggling after contact with streetlamp pole.”

NHTSA complaint #11310455, filed 2020-02, 105,000 miles

“Takata recall my airbag light is still on time by time for unknown reason . I bring this to attention on time in my bumper to bumper guarantee in my dealer on 2011, dealer said that is not a problem at that time. I received a letter by mail on oct 2017 that a possible settlement is related to air bag , I am worried that something is wrong in my airbag ,so I advised my dealer they refused to check by free and asking me to paid for a review because there is not recall register in my vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11047311, filed 2017-11, 12 miles

“My 2011 Mazda 3 driver seat has come off track while I was on the highway. I went to slide my seat back and the seat popped off the track, luckily I caught myself. Mazda dealership said they wouldnt cover it. Now, 3 weeks after my warranty ended, my passenger airbag sensor has lit up, on the dash and above the radio. Mazda said it was my sensor under my seat but still had to charge $105 dollar fee to find the problem??? The airbag sensor came on one morning on my way to work. Nobody was in the car except me.”

NHTSA complaint #10837051, filed 2016-02, 52,000 miles

“I purchased a used 2011 Mazda 3 in march 2019. I didn't notice it at the time but the air bag light was flashing a code 16 on the dash. I took it to my local dealership and had to pay $100 diagnostic fee. They told me it was the passenger seat weight sensor and the two parts would need to be replaced. The cost was around $800. I understand that components on a car may go bad over time but should something as important as an air bag sensor go bad in less than 9 years? And if it does, should I have to pay $800 for my safety when it should be the company that covers that. …”

NHTSA complaint #11291626, filed 2019-12, 127,000 miles

“The drivers seat will sometimes come out of its track, and not lock in securely. When the seat is locked, it seems to be ok, but if I should move the seat forward to accommodate for a rear passenger its like the seat will not sit squarely in the track, and it will either sink, or elevate at one corner and slide forwards or backwards. Its dangerous if I were to hit my brakes, the seat would move forward inadvertently causing me to slam on my brakes. Also, there appears to be an air bag indicator light that will flash on my dashboard. …”

NHTSA complaint #10825286, filed 2016-02, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025113%
202418%
202318%
20221250%
202147%
201968%
201722%
201666%
201543%
201443%
201376%
2012178%
20112922%
2010264%
200954%
2008227%
20073616%
20062716%
20052425%
20042517%

Other parts of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3

Seats
20 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Body and structure
13 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
12 complaints
Exterior lighting
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Suspension
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology