Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

5 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
2

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 1
A recent report: 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…
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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. ADDITIONALLY IN A MEMO THEY ACKNOWLEDGE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF WATER SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT BECAUSE ITS NOT A RECALL ANYTHING OVER 3 YEARS WILL NOT BE WARRANTIED (SEE ATTACHED). LASTLY YOU CAN SEE THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULB SEAL HAS AN ACCUMULATED RUST LINE ABOUT HALF WAY UP FROM STANDING WATER IN THE LIGHT THAT RUSTED OUT AND EVENTUALLY BURNED OUT THE BALLAST (ATTACHED).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11081983 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1loss of steering 1
A recent report: TL* 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…
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TL* 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 *BF *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10896029 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: THE FRONT DASH SEPARATES AND THE MANUFACTURE WON'T STAND BY IT. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10649833 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 5 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2014 and 2018, roughly 1 a year, which is about the same as the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.