RoadVitals

2011 Mazda Mazda2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jul 2, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 9, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Mazda Mazda2, most frequently naming the steering, interior & seats and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 216 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering850.0%
  • Interior & seats318.8%
  • Airbags16.3%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%
  • Seat belts16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Feb 9, 2017
173,859 units potentially affected
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain an appropriate driving position.
The risk: If the driver cannot maintain an appropriate driving position, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0917B.
Mazda North American OperationsManufacturer number 0917BView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

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.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Jul 2, 2021

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 ID
11423265
Incident
Jun 25, 2021
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2020

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 ID
11378040
Incident
Nov 20, 2018
Mileage
64,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 28, 2020

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 ID
11341847
Incident
Jun 8, 2020
Mileage
107,500 mi
Filed Feb 11, 2020

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 ID
11308545
Incident
Jun 8, 2019
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 7, 2019

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 ID
11175001
Incident
Feb 7, 2019
Mileage
53,916 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 10, 2018

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 ID
11110605
Incident
Jul 10, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 22, 2018

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 ID
11074352
Incident
Dec 15, 2017
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 10, 2017

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 ID
11032628
Incident
Oct 9, 2017

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SA-041-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. Examples: 1. Devices connected to the DLC-2 (battery discharge/DTC stored) 2. Devices plugged into the 12V outlet 3. GPS tracking device (engine no start/battery discharge) 4. Dash cam (DTC stored) 5. Non-certified USB cable (Apple Carplay™/ Android Auto™ will not connect) 6. Over-sized wheels/tires (incorrect GPS location) 7. DTC C0023:14 8. Decorative trim and/or cover on the START/STOP ENGINE button Example 1: Some electrical devices connected to the DLC-2 connector by insurance or mobile phone companies may cause: Battery discharge. The device may disrupt the CAN system battery saver mode. • IDS/MMDS will not communicate with the vehicle due to poor DLC-2 connection. The aftermarket device may cause DLC-2 female terminals to spread open.

SA-029-26

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance. Workshop Manual - Refer to section 00-00 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. Owner's Manual - Refer to section 8 Maintenance and Care. b. Note: Please refer to the information below outlining the services not included in Mazda's Factory Scheduled Maintenance: IMPORTANT: Recommending fluid flushes when not necessary can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction. Fluid flushing for preventive maintenance purposes is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified in a published procedure (Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, Technical Service Bulletin, etc.).

SA-061-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices.

07-004-25a

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling unit. This condition is usually worse during high humidity conditions. “Mazda Air Cooling Coil Coating” is available to encapsulate the mold to reduce odors. If the product is properly applied, it can effectively reduce the musty/mildew odor for up to three years. NOTE: See parts information for Mazda Air Cooling Coil Coating and Kit part numbers.

SA-039/25

STRUCTURE:BODY

Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. If a structure's windows create enough of a curve, the concave glass can focus the sun's rays onto a small area and acting like magnifiying glass direct the sunbeams into a hot pinpoint of light. This magnifcation of the sun's rays can cause damage to vehicle trim (see examples). Additional information and exemplar images regarding this phenomenon can be found by performing a google search.

SA-032-25

Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter may be the cause. During the removal of the cabin air filter, foreign debris (leaves, dust, dirt....ect.) may fall on the blower motor causing a fluttering type noise or odor.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda Mazda2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021010
2020020
2019010
2018000
2017000
2016000
2015000
2014911
2013131141.4
2012901
2011Viewing161136.5

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.