Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2011 Mazda MAZDA2 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2021.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 57
Against the median year of the Mazda MAZDA2. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 52
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Mazda MAZDA2
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
847.1%
Median failure at 45,254 miles
Seats
317.6%
Median failure at 80,708 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.9%
Seat Belts
15.9%
Tires
15.9%
Median failure at 3,021 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.9%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
Median failure at 320 miles
Airbags
15.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
215.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
215.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
430.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
17.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.7%
150,000+ miles
17.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2011peak 2Jul 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Mazda MAZDA2
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2011 Mazda MAZDA2
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201707386,733 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the push nuts and/or the lifter link which adjusts the height of the driver seat could be of insufficient strength and could become broken or detach from the seat frame. If this occurs, the seat height and inclination position would change rapidly, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the condition of the driver's seat lifter link. If no cracks are detected, a reinforcement bracket will be added to the lifter links, and the number of push nuts will be increased to two per seat lifter link. If any cracks are detected, dealers will replace the entire seat adjuster unit with a modified part.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 150,000 milesMarietta, GA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda2. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the glass sunroof spontaneously exploded and shattered causing the glass to enter the vehicle. The contact stated that no object hit or caused the sunroof to shatter. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to clean up the class that was in the vehicle and then continued driving to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 150,000. Consumer stated sunroof was an aftermarket installation.
NHTSA complaint #11423265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesSanta Barbara, CA
STEERING
WE HAD OUR RACK AND PINION STEERING REPLACED AT THE MAZDA DEALER ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018 DUE TO CLONKING IN THE STEERING RACK. MY SON IS REPORTING THAT THE CLONKING AND STEERING IS MUCH WORSE WHEN SITTING STILL AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEN MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT HAND TURNS WHILE DRIVING. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STEER STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY. I REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS AND FRONT STRUTS IN 2018 AS WELL. I INSPECTED THE STRUTS AND BRAKES AND SUSPENSION TODAY AND FOUND THEM TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I FIND THAT THE RACK AND PINION IS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11378040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,500 milesAustin, TX
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT SHIFTS FROM THE BASE, ON OCCASION IT HAS SLID FORWARD. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE BUT I WAS ABLE TO PUSH BACK AND IT WENT BACK INTO PLACE. THERE COULD BE BOLTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOOSENED.
NHTSA complaint #11341847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Hayne, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE REPAIR DONE AT MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER. SCHEDULING THE APPOINTMENT WAS CHALLENGING, WHEN I ARRIVED, INTERACTIONS WERE STRESSFUL. I DROPPED MY CAR OFF, WITHIN 45 MIN, I WAS CALLED STATING THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE RECALL, BUT THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY DID. THEY SENT A FOLLOW-UP EMAIL ASKING ABOUT THE VISIT AND I WAS VERY CANDID & HONEST IN THE REPLY. THE APPOINTMENT WAS 6-8-19. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A CALL THAT THE PART HAS ARRIVED.
NHTSA complaint #11308545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,916 milesLAS Cruces, NM
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 2. WHILE MAKING A U-TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT DISCONNECTED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FALL TOWARDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED AND THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,916.
NHTSA complaint #11175001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesKalamazoo, MI
STEERING
STEERING "CLUNKS" WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, AND METALLIC "CLANKS" ARE HEARD ON DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER DASH WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP, WHO DIAGNOSED "BAD STEERING GEAR" AND STATED "THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE." REPAIR BILL IS $1,200. LOOKING ONLINE, MULTIPLE MAZDA2 OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPAIRING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11110605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belmont, CA
SEAT BELTS
THE SYMBOL FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND BELT LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD SINCE DEC 2017. I BOUGHT THIS FOR THE MAZDA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE WORK. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THE REPAIR, WE HARDLY USE AND PARK ONLY IN THE GARAGE.THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #11074352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belmont, CA
AIR BAGS
THE SYMBOL FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND BELT LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD SINCE DEC 2017. I BOUGHT THIS FOR THE MAZDA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE WORK. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THE REPAIR, WE HARDLY USE AND PARK ONLY IN THE GARAGE.THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #11074352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SEATS
BACK IN APRIL I WAS SENT A NOTIFICATION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT AND THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE. I DIDN'T GET A LETTER UNTIL THE FIRST WEEKEND OF OCTOBER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS I COULD WHICH WAS A WEEK LATER ON OCTOBER 9TH. WHEN I GOT THERE I WAS TOLD THE WAIT WILL BE AT LEAST 1 1/2 HRS MAYBE MORE. I WISH I WAS TOLD THAT NOT 1 HR MAYBE MORE AS STATED IN THE LETTER. AFTER AN 1 HR OF WAITING WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DO IT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET ALL THE PARTS IN YET AND THAT IT SHOULD BE IN THE NEXT DAY. REALLY? I HAD SET UP AN APPOINTMENT A WEEK AGO AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME THIS BEFORE WASTING MY TIME. NOW I CAN'T GO BACK BECAUSE OF MY SCHEDULE AND NEED MY CAR. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DRIVE ME AROUND. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SPECIFIC LOCATION AND NO LONGER GO THERE FAR SERVICES BUT DID FOR THIS BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY MAZDA DEALERSHIP I CAN GET TO. JEFF HAAS MAZDA 11222 KATY FREEWAY HOUSTON, TX 77043 I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK THERE.
NHTSA complaint #11032628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesCharlotte, NC
STEERING
I PURCHASED THIS MAZDA 2 NEW IN JANUARY 2012. SEPT 2014 I NOTICED THE STEERING BINDING AND MAKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE. A YEAR LATER SEPT OF 2015 THE SYMPTOMS HAPPENED AGAIN, AND ASSEMBLY IS REPLACED AGAIN. NOW SEPTEMBER 2017 THE UNIT HAD GONE BAD AGAIN AND DEALERSHIP ADVISED ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED. I HAVE HAD ALL WORK DONE AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CONTACTED MAZDA ABOUT THIS ISSUE I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE. DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO TO TALK TO MAZDA TECH SUPPORT AND AGAIN NOTHING. THREE RACK AND PINION UNITS IN 5 YEARS SEEMS TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I HAVE 51,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND TO THE Y.
NHTSA complaint #11030122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesBristol, VA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 2. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN BRISTOL, TN, BUT DID NOT REMEMBER WHAT WAS STATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH BILL GATTON MAZDA OF JOHNSON CITY (2909 N ROAN ST, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601) WHO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE STEERING GEAR BEING DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK WITH NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11013708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,508 milesGeorgetown, TX
STEERING
AT LOW SPEED DRIVING A CLUNKING NOISE COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING. ON 11-20-2015 THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER DIAGNOSIS SHOWED A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING UNIT AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. DEALER ADVISED THAT NO TSB WAS ISSUED AND SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST UNIT IS A SERIOUS, IF NOT DANGEROUS ,CONDITION THAT SHOULD CAUSE THE NHTSA TO ORDER A RECALL OF THE 2011 MAZDA 2 TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLES ARE ROAD WORTHY AND SAFE. REF: ROGER BEASLEY MAZDA, GEORGETOWN,TX INVOICE: 160299 DATED 11-20-2015.
NHTSA complaint #10806242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,500 milesGeorgetown, TX
STEERING
AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING HAS A CLUNKING FEEL . MAKES DRIVER FEEL LIKE STEERING IS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10794938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesAngier, NC
STEERING
TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSE A BUMPING SOUND IN STEERING, IT CAN BE FELT. THE STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT ABOUT 50000 MILES AND THE CAR HAS 115000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10660939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesHaysville, KS
STEERING
WHEN SPEEDS UNDER 20MPH THE STEERING RACK RATTLES. CURRENTLY THERE IS A TSB FOR THE REPAIR TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION.
NHTSA complaint #10548385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 320 milesReno, NV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR STUCK TO THE FLOOR. AFTER ARRIVING AT DESTINATION AND SHUTTING OFF CAR, WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT PUSHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR RESULTS IN IT STICKING THERE. THIS IS A NEW CAR THAT I RENTED.
NHTSA complaint #10443559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,021 milesDallas, TX
TIRES
****** PLEASE DO NOT ADD MY INFO. TO ANY SOLICITATION LISTS..****** PURCHASED NEW 2011 MAZDA 2, BLOW OUT OCCURRED WITH 3021 MILES ON VEHICLE/TIRES. 185/55/15 YOKOHAMA TIRES. LOW SPEED BLOW OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. NO WRECK OR INJURY OCCURRED BUT IT SCARED BOTH ME AND MY 85 YEAR OLD FATHER. THE SPACE SAVER SPARE TIRE IS REALLY AN ISSUE AS WELL. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT IS SO NARROW IN COMPARISON TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. EVERY TIME I WAS ON GROOVED PAVEMENT, THE TIRE WOULD PULL ME INTO THE NEXT LANE OF TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AS IT HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET THE TIRE REPLACED ON MONDAY THE 25TH OF JULY. NO ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE BY THE DEALER AND I SPOKE WITH THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WANT THE TIRE BUT IF I GIVE THEM THE TIRE THERE GOES MY CASE FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND OR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, IF ONE IS ALREADY PENDING. I AM AS MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPACE SAVER TIRE AS THE BLOW OUT OF THE NEW TIRE! PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY OF MY INFO. TO ANY SOLICITATION LISTS OR SPAMMING LISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10415606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.