Skip to content
Mazda MAZDASPEED3Model year report

2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,611miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and electrical system (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,611 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 27 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hatchback/liftgate and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “The passenger headlight has accumulated a lot of moisture (1/2 cup or more) which resulted in the headlight malfunctioning while driving. This is extremely dangerous, especially had this happened at night. The dealership acknowledge its a common problem, said it was a seal problem that burned out the ballast, but that it wasn't covered by a warranty or recall. This is a very common problem (google Mazda 3 headlight moisture and there are hundreds of examples) and needs to be recalled/fixed. The dealership will quote over $1000 to repair this problem. Vehicle was in motion in city driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #11081983, filed 2018-03, 65,000 miles

Body and structure: “Excessive abnormal amount of moisture/water getting in headlight (passengers side) causing headlight not to work. Problem first began 7/1/2016. Water getting into headlight and effecting the afs sensor also. Afs sensor not working now. Afs sensor quit working on or about 6/1/2017. Headlight quit working 2/1/2017. Non working headlight and non working afs sensor is causing problems with visibility at night.”

NHTSA complaint #11018646, filed 2017-08

Steering: “The contact owns a 2011 Mazda m3s. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000. ...updated 09/12/16”

NHTSA complaint #10896029, filed 2016-08, 15,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 61,222 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–5050%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,611 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2014120151201612017120181
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Speed 3 FWD2.3L 4-cyl6-speed manual182521$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 27 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 27 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MAZDASPEED3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012621,5501—21—Not enough data
2011540,6112—21—Not enough data
20103266,2572—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20083347,8021—20Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20073811,7002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MAZDASPEED3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.

Has the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 (Speed 3, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,611 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 61,222 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.