Most common 2011 Mazda Mazda2 problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazda2 complaints by model year
Best Mazda2 years: 2020, 2014, 2012. Years to avoid: 2011, 2013. Compare all years →
2011 Mazda Mazda2 recalls (1)
Seats
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…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Mazda Mazda2:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
What 2011 Mazda Mazda2 owners say
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.
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.
Seats
The 2011 Mazda2 has an active recall (recall campaign 0917B) which does not include my vin number. However, the lifter link push nuts on my vehicle failed, resulting in the entire left side of the driver seat becoming detached. Mazda Dealership 51743 (Lucki Mazda in Woodbridge, VA) inspected and diagnosed as the same issue in the 0917B recall campaign. Severity of the breakage is such that the recommendation is to replace the entire seat bracket.
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.
2011 Mazda Mazda2 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 29 / 34 / 31 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 27 / 32 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Mazda Mazda2 a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Mazda2 rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Mazda2 at the same age. It is one of the Mazda2 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Mazda Mazda2?
The steering — 8 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the seats (4) and wheels & tires (1).
How many recalls does the 2011 Mazda Mazda2 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2011 Mazda Mazda2, the most recent from February 9, 2017 (seats). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazda2?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011 and 2013. See the full Mazda Mazda2 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Mazda Mazda2 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.