2011 Mazda MAZDA3 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 8%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, 8% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Vehicle headlight failed due to faulty seal allowing moisture to enter the headlight assembly. I brought the headlight into the dealer while still under warranty when I noticed moisture in the headlight but before it failed. My claim was denied stating that it was a cosmetic issue. Now this is a safety issue that costs several hundred dollars to correct. Research online indicates many others have experienced similar warranty claim avoidance and failed headlight assemblies.”
NHTSA complaint #10853089, filed 2016-04, 32,000 miles“Mechanic's report 12/28/2019: right front (passenger side) headlight assembly has major moisture contamination. Hid controller failure due to moisture; hid bulb out. Repair est. $1,500 - $2,000. My 2011 Mazda 3 mileage is 36,915. I will take this to Mazda service dept. On 1/2/2020 for evalutaion. Their repair est. On phone was $2,000+ - parts only. This is a known problem reported online by many owners of this make and year. Clearly this is a factory defect issue. One that has caused accidents at night. (I first noticed moisture sometime after a drive-thru car wash 3 months ago.)”
NHTSA complaint #11292095, filed 2019-12, 36,100 miles“1) after moving the empty passenger seat back a few inches at a red light, passenger airbag deactivation light illuminated on dash and has remained on ever since. At the same time, the airbag light on the instrument cluster began flashing a code 16. There are no visible loose wires or connections under the seat. 2) condensation appearing in driver's side headlight assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10874861, filed 2016-06, 28,000 miles“Headlight seal failure; water condensation in the headlight (passenger side). Occurs after a car wash, a drive in the rain, drizzle or downpour in highway or city. Road illumination diminished from water condensation.”
NHTSA complaint #10865443, filed 2016-05, 495 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10154529Mar 15, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10153332Jan 3, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10134701Mar 22, 2018Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10118468Aug 9, 2017When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first determine if all the bulb sockets (including O-ring), seals and…
- 10111011Mar 9, 2017Take caution when cleaning plastic headlight lenses. Damage can occur when using some cleaners that contain strong acid, alkaline cleanser or organic solvent. Damage caused by…
- 10185806Jan 13, 2017Excessive condensation or water within the headlamp assembly caustion.
- 10093375May 4, 2016If you encounter the hazard warning lights staying on after a dash repair, you may have crossed the hazard warning switch connector with another connector, such as the bluetooth…
- 10092413Apr 28, 2016Some customers may complain about improper operation of the auto-dimming mirror. This may be caused by an obstruction of the front and/or rear light sensor(s) (e.g. Hanging a…
- 10213417Feb 5, 2016Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination
- 10213421Jan 25, 2016Condensation/Fog in front and rear combination lights
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% |
| 2012 | 31 | 14% |
| 2011 | 10 | 8% |
| 2010 | 23 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 6% |
| 2004 | 8 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3
29 complaintsSeats
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 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 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