I have a new to me 2011 Mazda 5. I am having a VERY hard time finding any auto parts website that lists 2011 as a valid year for options...despite having one in my driveway. Its the last year of the first Gens...can I assume it is safe to use 2010 parts on my 2011?

 

Welcome to the e forum

There are reasons why forum generally like members to post accurate info like FROM:

The first thing I would check is your actual production year. Look at the drivers door jam and it will state the month and year. Generally speaking if it is the 7th month or later then it could be a 2012 model. Your registration does not always state the accurate production year so don't go by that. The VIN will give you the same info as the door jam but you would then need to decodes the VIN. lol However knowing the country of manufacture may be necessary depending on the parts you actually need. So ya you may need to decode your VIN.

You model is tricky while I have no problem finding parts using my shops account at an Auto parts distributors we use and seeing that many crossed over to other model Mazda's I can understand why you are having trouble. You will likely need to find a friend in an auto parts store that knows how to contact their distribution warehouse and see if they can assist you. Or a parts department employee that has spare time to look up and give you OEM parts numbers for part you need and then you can take them and cross them over to aftermarket parts on manufactures or suppliers of Mazda parts. NAPA, AutoZone PEP Boys ext.. Its work and will take an experience salesman .

 

Does you vin/chassis number have CR or CW? ( ( 2nd gen vs third gen )

Have a look here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Premacy


eg JM1CR29L590334338 vs JM1CW2CL8C0142016