Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3.
Body PASSENGER CAR
The 2011 Mazda Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3 is a passenger car that formed part of Mazda’s compact lineup. Its early reliability data recorded 131 total owner complaints, with air‑bag concerns accounting for the most frequent grievance. Two recall campaigns were subsequently issued, placing this model year near the lower end of the brand’s reliability history.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 Canada and Cold Climate · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0514302B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
Lubricants & capacities
Automatic Transmission Fluid
ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity
8.6
Brake Fluid
DOT 3 · SAE J1703
Manual Transmission Fluid
75W-80 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity
5.0-5.5
Power Steering Fluid
ATF
Engine torques
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs
11-12 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings
SOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts
AT: 80-86 ft-lbs,; MT: 71-76 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts
SOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts
12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts
32-47 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts
13-16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts
32-47 ft-lbs
Chassis torques
Front Wheel Hub
175-202 ft-lbs
Ignition
Cylinder Firing Order
1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)
650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)
50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)
700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)
50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)
650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)
50 rpm
Ignition Timing
Turbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Battery & A/C
Refrigerant
R134a
Refrigerant Capacity
1.01-1.11 lbs
Oil Group
PAG
Oil Type
46
Oil Capacity
4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group Number
35 Canada and Cold Climate
Standard BCI Cranking Performance
525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number
35 Canada and Cold Climate
Service checks
Pressure Test
22.5 - MAXIMUM PRESSURE psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief
20-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature
176-183 °F
Pressure Test
22.5 - MAXIMUM PRESSURE psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief
20-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature
176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)
30.5 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)
30.5 psi
Brakes
Torque Caliper to Bracket
19-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle
45-56 ft-lbs
Brake Application
WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket
19-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle
61-74 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation
0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit
0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining
0.39 in
Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1
44-71 inch lbs., Step 2: 10-13
44–71 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.
2
9.5-12.5 ft. lbs.
9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
3
32.0-34.0 ft. lbs.
32–34 ft. lbs
4
88 degrees-92 degrees
88 degrees
5
88 degrees-92 degrees
88 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 3.7 ft. lbs.
2
10.0-12.0 ft. lbs.
10–12 ft. lbs
3
32.0-34.0 ft. lbs.
32–34 ft. lbs
4
88 degrees-92 degrees
88 degrees
5
88 degrees-92 degrees
88 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.
Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi
Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 mi
Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 mi
Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi
Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2011 Mazda Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3 top in one area — the air bags, 16 of 131 reports (12%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 12 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
281
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
131
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component
All 131 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Air Bags16
Seats15
Unknown Or Other13
Structure9
Power Train8
Steering8
Electrical System5
Suspension4
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Recalls NHTSA · verified
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
17V082000SeatsReported 09/02/2017
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… 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…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010… Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer…
Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified
Showing 5 of 281 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
Bulletin
Date
Component
Summary
SA-041-26
2026-06-18
Electrical System
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-26
2026-04-21
Power Train
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-25
2025-12-17
Electrical System
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a
2025-12-10
Unknown Or Other
A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/25
2025-08-21
Structure
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…
Common OBD-II trouble codes
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.