2011 Mazda MAZDA3 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 11%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, 11% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving the steering wheel locks up . Super hard to pull over. Very dangerous. Could have been killed. The power steering light and engine light come unill I turn vehicle off and on. I have read many post on line of this happening to this vehicle and I'm shocked this is not a active recall or haven't caused any deaths.”
NHTSA complaint #11355694, filed 2020-09, 160,000 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”
NHTSA complaint #11021086, filed 2017-09, 50,000 miles“Anti theft system activated on me after I shut off the car. Was sitting in a parking lot waiting for my daughter to get out of work. I shut the car off and it wouldn't start. My mechanic said the anti theft system activated which shouldn't of happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11397837, filed 2021-02, 126,043 miles“Passenger headlamp getting excessive condenstation build up after car wash or rain storm eventually causes hid bulb and ballast failure due to short caused by water ingress. Housing has been changed and still leaks in almost exact same pattern as old housing. This is a safety defect as it affects my ability to safely, and legally drive my car in low or no light conditions and could cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10914541, filed 2016-10, 60,000 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS…
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g…
- 11026917Dec 17, 2025If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
- 11007019Aug 15, 2024If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10244679Oct 11, 2023If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
- 10237216May 24, 2023If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10226924Nov 14, 2022If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 42% |
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 5 | 21% |
| 2021 | 7 | 13% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 30 | 27% |
| 2017 | 20 | 24% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 24 | 18% |
| 2014 | 27 | 20% |
| 2013 | 32 | 27% |
| 2012 | 25 | 11% |
| 2011 | 15 | 11% |
| 2010 | 50 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% |
| 2007 | 19 | 9% |
| 2006 | 21 | 13% |
| 2005 | 17 | 18% |
| 2004 | 8 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3
29 complaintsSeats
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSeat 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 27, 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