While driving a loud gun like sound happens. Sound will not turn off even with the vehicle off or volume turned down. This issue is related to the bose amp failure which the dealership has refused to fix for free or diagnose for free. Contacted bose and they have confirmed this is a known issue they no longer honor and referred me to the dealership. The Mazda dealership will charge $1300 just for…
2011 Mazda Mazda3 electrical problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2crashes
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 13 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Mazda Mazda3, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The front lights seem to build condensation and cut down on the amount of light that is emitted from them at night, leading to a huge safety issue. It also affects the turn signals and can lead to catastrophic electronic failure that costs over $1,000 to fix that Mazda claims is not covered by their factory warranty. This has become a huge problem and one quick search on the internet turns up…
The battery appears to be dead. After jump start, the car works for about 3 days. The vehicle will not start if left to sit over night without driving. The battery will not power the vehicle and will not allow fuel to exchange for a push start (manual 5 speed). The car was taken to beaverton Mazda dealership in beaverton oregon. They tested for electrical leaks and found none. Did not replace…
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Mazda Mazda3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Mazda Mazda3?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 28,000 and 126,043 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 126,043. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Mazda/Mazda3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.