2011 Mazda Mazda3

Hatchback · 2010–2026 · Mazda3 Hatchback, Mazda3 Sedan, MAZDASPEED3

2010–2013 Mazda Mazda3 — 2010–2013 pictured. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best bet2017Fewest serious problems: 0.3× usual Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad Be careful2019More problems; check the recalls were done

Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual Extended coverage

83 serious complaints of 132, the most about air bags (29) and steering (13); per car on the road, 0.6× this model's usual year. 2 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.

What owners report

“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jun 2016

“When I’m driving the car, electricity of the car goes off, including headlights. The steering wheel gets locked. It doesn’t do that regularly. Sometimes, it takes weeks to do that, but sometimes it happens once in every five minutes. The red airbag light on the odometer turns on or off randomly.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Apr 2022

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage Mazda Motor Corporation is extending the warranty coverage for specific repair of instrument panel on certain 2010-2013 Mazda3 vehicles produced from May 6, 2010 through July 19, 2013. The warranty coverage for instrument panel replacement due to warping or a gap is extended to 7 years (84 months)… (SSPA9, May 2017)
Extended coverage Subject: - Takata Inflator Special Service Program (Extended Warranty) Special Service Program SSPB3: In December 2017 Special Service Program SSPB3 - Takata Inflator Extended Warranty was announced. The extended warranty was a result of the Takata airbag inflator class action settlement. (SSPB3, May 2021)
Extended coverage Effective today, March 23rd orders for the Mazda6 crash pad, part number GSYL-60-350 can be placed using the DAG Restricted Parts Order screen on MXConnect. (SSPA0, Mar 2018)
Extended coverage SSP99 - 2010 MAZDA3 - DASHBOARD UPPER PANEL STICKY SURFACE: For certain 2010 Mazda3 vehicles, the warranty coverage for dashboard replacement for sticky surface condition only is extended to 10 years (120 months) from the original Warranty Start Date, with no mileage limitations. The warranty… (SSP99, Oct 2020)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

132 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 23–28 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2011 trims and features

Every Mazda3 year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Mazda3 Hatchback Mazda3 Sedan MAZDASPEED3

What changed for 2011

Engine: 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve → MZR 2.5L (all trims)
Speakers: 6 → 10 (s Grand Touring)
Headlights: Bi-Xenon Projector → Halogen (s Grand Touring)

2011 Mazda3 Hatchback trims

	s Grand Touring	s Sport
Powertrain
Engine	MZR 2.5L	MZR 2.5L
Horsepower	167 hp	167 hp
Torque	168 lb-ft	168 lb-ft
Transmission	5-Speed Sport Automatic: Sport AT 6-Speed Manual: —	5-Speed Sport Automatic: Sport AT 6-Speed Manual: —
Gears	5-Speed Sport Automatic: 5 6-Speed Manual: 6	5-Speed Sport Automatic: 5 6-Speed Manual: 6
Drivetrain	5-Speed Sport Automatic / 6-Speed Manual	5-Speed Sport Automatic / 6-Speed Manual
Size and capability
Seats	5	5
Cargo behind last row	17 cu ft	17 cu ft
Length	177.4 in	177.4 in
Curb weight	5-Speed Sport Automatic: 3,065 lb 6-Speed Manual: 3,064 lb	5-Speed Sport Automatic: 3,065 lb 6-Speed Manual: 3,064 lb
Tech
Apple CarPlay	Optional	Optional
Android Auto	Optional	Optional
Audio	Bose	Optional
Speakers	10	6 + option
Comfort
Seats	Leather	Cloth
Heated seats	Front	—
Climate zones	2	—
Remote start	Optional	Optional
Exterior
Sunroof	Tilt/Slide Moonroof	Optional
Wheels	17 in	17 in
Headlights	Halogen + option	Halogen + option

Packages and options (29)

	s Grand Touring	s Sport
Moonroof, 6-Disc CD Changer and Bose Audio System Package	Standard	Optional
Tech Package	Optional	Optional
Fuel-Filler Door, Chrome	Optional	Optional
Front Air Dam	Optional	Optional
Moonroof Wind Deflector	Optional	Optional
Rear Aero Flares and Rear Center Underskirt	Optional	Optional
Rear Bumper Guard	Optional	Optional
Wheel Locks	Optional	Optional
All-Weather Floor Mats	Optional	Optional
Cargo Mat	Optional	Optional
Cargo Net	Optional	Optional
Cargo Tray	Optional	Optional
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass	Optional	Optional
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and HomeLink	Optional	Optional
Remote Engine Start	Optional	Optional
In-Dash 6-Disc CD/MP3 Changer	Standard	Optional
SIRIUS Satellite Radio with 6-Month Subscription	Optional	Optional
Black Mica	Optional	Optional
Celestial Blue Mica	Optional	Optional
Copper Red Mica	Optional	Optional
Crystal White Pearl Mica	Optional	Optional
Graphite Mica	Optional	Optional
Gunmetal Blue Mica	Optional	Optional
Liquid Silver Metallic	Optional	Optional
Velocity Red Mica	Optional	Optional
Black Cloth	—	Optional
Black Leather	Optional	—
Dune Cloth	—	Optional
Dune Leather	Optional	—

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Recalls	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2026	2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo manual available	4WD, FWD	26–30 mpg	5 of 5	0	1	Steering (1)	—
2025	2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo manual available	4WD, FWD	26–31 mpg	5 of 5	1	8	Unknown or other (2)	Yes
2024	2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo manual available	4WD, FWD	26–31 mpg	5 of 5	3	12	Electrical system (5)	Yes
2023	2.0L 4-cyl, 155 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 186–227 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 186–227 hp manual available	4WD, FWD	26–31 mpg	5 of 5	0	12	Power train (3)	Yes
2022	2.0L 4-cyl, 155 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 186–227 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 186–227 hp manual available	4WD, FWD	26–31 mpg	5 of 5	0	24	Air bags (12)	Yes
2021	2.0L 4-cyl, 155 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 186–227 hp 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 186–227 hp manual available	4WD, FWD	26–31 mpg	5 of 5	1	52	Engine (19)	Yes
2020	2.5L 4-cyl, 186 hp manual available	4WD, FWD	27–30 mpg	5 of 5	2	32	Forward collision avoidance (15)	Yes
2019	2.5L 4-cyl, 186 hp manual available	4WD, FWD	27–30 mpg	Not rated	6	74	Unknown or other (15)	Yes
2018	2.0L 4-cyl, 155 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 184 hp manual available	FWD	28–32 mpg	5 of 5	4	108	Electrical system (30)	No
2017	2.0L 4-cyl, 155 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 184 hp manual available	FWD	28–32 mpg	5 of 5	2	83	Unknown or other (27)	No
2016	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	29–33 mpg	5 of 5	6	103	Electrical system (22)	No
2015	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	29–33 mpg	5 of 5	4	129	Service brakes (26)	No
2014	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–33 mpg	5 of 5	4	138	Unknown or other (27)	No
2013	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	23–32 mpg	4 of 5	1	117	Exterior lighting (36)	No
2012	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	23–32 mpg	4 of 5	1	226	Power train (40)	No
2011	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	23–28 mpg	4 of 5	2	132	Air bags (29)	No
2010	2.0L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	24–28 mpg	Not rated	3	686	Structure (169)	No

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless Android Auto Apple CarPlay (wired or wireless)Wireless phone charging Head-up display AWD or 4WD Power liftgate Adaptive cruise with stop and go Blind-spot monitoring 360-degree camera Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Leather seats Remote start Sunroof or moonroof

Apple lists CarPlay for: Mazda3 2019–2025 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2026	MAZDA MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 5 HB N/A AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2026	MAZDA MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 5 HB N/A FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2026	MAZDA MAZDA3 SEDAN 4 DR N/A AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2026	MAZDA MAZDA3 SEDAN 4 DR N/A FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	1
2025	Mazda MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 5 HB AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	8
2025	Mazda MAZDA3 HATCHBACK 5 HB FWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	8
2025	Mazda MAZDA3 SEDAN 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	8
2025	Mazda MAZDA3 SEDAN 4 DR FWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	8
2024	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	12
2024	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	12
2024	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	12
2024	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	12
2023	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	12
2023	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	12
2023	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	12
2023	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	12
2022	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	24
2022	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	24
2022	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	24
2022	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	24
2021	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	52
2021	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	52
2021	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	52
2021	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	Standard	Standard	1	52
2020	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	32
2020	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	32
2020	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	32
2020	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	Standard	Standard	2	32
2019	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	No	6	74
2019	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	6	74
2019	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	Not Rated	No	No	6	74
2019	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	Not Rated	No	No	6	74
2018	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	Optional	No	4	108
2018	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	Optional	No	4	108
2017	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	No	Optional	2	83
2017	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	No	Optional	2	83
2016	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	No	No	6	103
2016	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	No	No	6	103
2015	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	No	No	4	129
2015	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	No	No	4	129
2014	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5	No	No	4	138
2014	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5	No	No	4	138
2013	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	117
2013	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	117
2012	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	226
2012	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	226
2011	Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	2	132
2011	Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	2	132
2010	Mazda3 5-DR. Hatchback w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	3	686
2010	Mazda3 4-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	3	686

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2026	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	30
2026	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	27–29
2026	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	28–29
2026	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	26–28
2025	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	31
2025	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	27–30
2025	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	30
2025	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	26–29
2024	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	31
2024	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	27–30
2024	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	30
2024	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	26–29
2023	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	31
2023	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	27–30
2023	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	30
2023	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	26–29
2022	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	30–31
2022	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	27–28
2022	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	27–29
2022	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	26–27
2021	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation	30–31
2021	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; With Cylinder Deactivation Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI	27–28
2021	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	27–29
2021	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo	26–27
2020	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	30
2020	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	28
2020	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	29–30
2020	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	27
2019	3 4-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; Without Cylinder Deactivation Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	30
2019	3 4-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	28
2019	3 5-Door 2WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	29–30
2019	3 5-Door 4WD	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L	27
2018	3 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	29–31
2018	3 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	28–32
2017	3 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	29–32
2017	3 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	28–31
2016	3 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	29–33
2016	3 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	29–33
2015	3 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	29–33
2015	3 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	29–33
2014	3 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	31–33
2014	3 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI; with i-ELOOP Technology Package Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI	30–33
2013	3	Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	23–28
2013	3 DI 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	30–32
2013	3 DI 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	30–31
2012	3	Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	23–28
2012	3 DI 4-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	30–32
2012	3 DI 5-Door	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	30–31
2011	3	Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	23–28
2010	3	Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L	24–28

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare with another vehicle