2011 Mazda MAZDA3 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 132 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,450miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA3, 5% of the 132 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,450 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I went on a trip and had my tires rotated and no brake work had been done to my car. The dealer that rotated tires mechanic called me to look at my car and showed me that my brakes were wearing unevenly. The one on the right side had about 10mm of brake pad on it and the left side had only about 3mm of brake pad left. The mechanic instructed me to take my car back to where I bought it and have them check it out because this type of break wearing is not normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456644, filed 2012-04, 29,500 miles“Clunking noise from rear of vehicle when going over bumps or rough road started at about 500 miles on the vehicle. Dealer found that the sway bar link nut in the rear was loose and tightened it. Afterwards read online many complaints from other owners of the exact same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10411790, filed 2011-07, 500 miles“I am writing to inform you of a known rear camber issue on the rear suspension of the Mazda 3. The rear wheels on Mazda 3 tilt inward at the top. Rear camber alignment matched to factory specifications does not correct the issue, and tilt is still present - causing uneven tire wear. Mazda recommends rotating the tires to avoid uneven wear, but this does not correct the tilt. Rotating the tires according to Mazda's recommendation with rear worn tires being placed on the front causes road noise issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10511938, filed 2013-05, 28,900 miles“Oem yokohama avid envigor, first set of tires lasted 20,000 miles. Second set lasted 20,000 miles. The middle of the tire keeps the tread very nice, it's the sidewalls that go completely bald. Very dangerous in the snow and wet roads. First I took sts tires (yokohama auth.) dealer to court for lying about tires being still good. Then took yokohama to court....... Don't waste your time doing this..... Yokohama is paying someone off and getting away with murder. Literally the judge didn't even look at the evidence. Got screwed big time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10787609, filed 2015-11, 20,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light and check engine warning lights intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the suspension, seat connector, and an unknown software needed to be updated. The contact then stated that due to the suspension failure, the tires were worn prematurely. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11497383, filed 2022-12, 170,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10226814Nov 18, 2022Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10213185May 24, 2022Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10170656Jan 9, 2020Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10153315Jan 2, 2019Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10134930Mar 26, 2018Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft…
- 10213387Feb 15, 2016Shock absorber replacement guidelines
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 2 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 14 | 6% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 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