2011 Mazda MAZDA3 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 15%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the seats of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, 15% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver seat is causing server lower back pain regardless of the position of the seat. I tried all ways I could adjust the seat but the curvature in the seat is pushing against my lower back. I have been easy on the zoom zoom effect but in acceleration and breaking, it just hurts my lower back.”
NHTSA complaint #11402520, filed 2021-03, 92,500 miles“Sunday night while driving and making a left-hand turn my driverside seat completely detached from the seats harness thats bolted into the body of the vehicle. As research the problem and found that that exact safety issue had a recall. Ive made multiple unsuccessful attempts at scheduling my car to be serviced by Mazda. They keep telling me that they will call me back. This has yet to happen.”
NHTSA complaint #11352597, filed 2020-09, 158,600 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“While driving my 2011 Mazda 3 grand touring hatchback I heard a loud snapping sound. Upon hearing that sound. I practically wound up in the back seat. It appears that either a weld broke or a bolt snapped somewhere at the bottom in the back of the seat on the right. I almost lost complete control of my car. Luckily I still had a firm hand grip on the wheel to pull myself up. This could have been an extremely dangerous situation. The manufacturer should have a recall on this problem immediately before someone gets killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10824287, filed 2016-02, 74,000 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 milesRelated recalls
- 17V082000Feb 9, 2017Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In…Covers: Mazda MAZDA3 2010–2011, MAZDASPEED3 2010–2011, MAZDA2 2011
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 9 | 8% |
| 2012 | 16 | 7% |
| 2011 | 20 | 15% |
| 2010 | 106 | 15% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3
29 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 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 29, 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