Structure. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

5 reports

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Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2022

Electrical SystemPower Train

Car won't start due to PCM/TCM lost communication.

NHTSA ODI #11458436

134,834 miles · Aug 13, 2019

Power Train

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MY VEHICLE IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND LAST WEEKEND I WAS DRIVING AT THE FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY AT 70 MPH ON CRUISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE GOT BIG JERK FROM MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RPM STARTED INCREASING THE SAME TIME FIRST I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BACK BUT THE GLADLY THE VEHICLE WAS IN OTHER LANE AND HE HONKED AT ME. I THEN I SAW D LIGHT DISAPPEAR ON THE PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN VERY HIGH RPM MODE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING I SAFELY TRIED TO PULL ON THE RIGHT AND STOPPED TO SEE WHATS WRONG BUT COULDN'T FOUND ANYTHING. I TURNED OFF VEHICLE FOR A MINUTE AND STARTED AGAIN. IT WORKED FINE FOR 5 MIN AND AS SOON AS I REACHED 55 OR 60 MPH THE D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN AND AGAIN I GOT HIGH RPMS AND JERK. IT ALMOST HAD CAUSED THE ACCIDENT AS THE OTHER VEHICLE ALMOST HIT ME FROM THE BACK. IT FELT LIKE ENGINE BRAKING. THEN I DROVE VERY LOW SPPED ON INNER CITY ROAD WITH MY BLINKERS ON TO REACH HOME SAFELY. NOW DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST ME MINIMUM $3000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I THINK ITS A KNOW ISSUE TO MAZDA AND THEY SHOULD FIX MY VEHICLE TRANSMISSION ATLEAST. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11243674

47,000 miles · Aug 21, 2018

Power TrainService BrakesSuspension

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8/11/2018WHILE MERGING FROM ROUTE 9 ONTO ROUTE 95, I HEARD A CLANK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR, DIDN'T THINK SINCE DRIVING THROUGH DEEP FLOODING FROM CURRENT RAINSTORM. WAS ON I-95 WHEN STEERING SEEMED TO GO, VEER TO THE RIGHT AND BRAKES NOT CATCHING. WAS ABLE TO GET OFF HIGHWAY, REGAINED CONTROL OF CAR, WENT TO MY DESTINATION ON RTE 109. DROVE, PUMPED BREAKS SINCE I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FLOODING & WET BRAKES. LEFT TO GO TO NEXT DESTINATION & STEERING WAS OFF, SO DROVE VERY SLOWLY (STEERING OFF & HAD TO KEEP TURNING TO THE LEFT) ONCE AGAIN THINKING WEATHER RELATED. EXITED 95 TO SPRAUGE ST. DEDHAM WHERE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING WELL, DROVE TO FRIENDS IN AREA AND AS I DROVE DOWN HILL, CAR LOST STEERING AND I LANDED UP CURB, BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING, PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE & FINALLY STOPPED. FRIENDS HOUSE WAS AROUND THE CORNER SO ROLLED DOWN HILL TO HER HOUSE TO LET CAR DRY AS STILL THOUGHT IT WAS FROM FLOODING. LEFT HER HOUSE AFTER AN HOUR, DROVE TWO BLOCKS AND CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL STEERING, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING, BRAKES WENT. CALLED AAA AND WAS TOWED TO STEVE'S SERVICE STATION WHERE ON MONDAY THE CAR WAS DEEMED "TOTALED". THE ENTIRE SUB-CARRIAGE WAS COVERED IN RUST & CORROSION, THERE WERE HOLES, PIECES OF METAL FROM THE CAR MISSING AND MAJOR CRACKS ALL UNDERNEATH AND ENCASING THE BRAKES AND OTHER PART OF CAR. WAS TOLD IF I HAD GONE A BIT FASTER ON 95, BOTTOM WOULD HAVE FALLEN LEADING TO SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NOTE: THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WITH MAZDA6 AND MAZDA HAS DONE NOTHING. I CANNOT RECEIVE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FROM INSURANCE SINCE IS CORROSION AND NOT COLLISION THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEMS. FINANCIAL DISASTER. 47K MILES, ONE OWNER CAR. CONSULTS FROM MECHANICS SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS ON 8 YR OLD CAR. APPRAISER SAID MAZDA KNOWN FOR RUST PROBLEMS - GAVE ME WEBSITES TO RESEARCH TO ASSIST. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11121246

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2014

Power Train

CAR SURGES FORWARD WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN OR IS STOPPING TO PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628137

53,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014

EnginePower TrainCrashInjury

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MY SON TOOK MY CAR TO SCHOOL. HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE AFTER SCHOOL LET OUT, HE WAS GOING TO GIVE HIS FRIEND A RIDE HOME. THIS IS A 6 SPEED CAR. HIS FRIEND GOT IN THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, MY SON WAS TALKING TO HIS BROTHER, HE WAS NOT IN THE CAR. MY SON HAD PUT THE KEYS ON THE DRIVER SEAT, HIS FRIEND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED THE KEY TO ACCESSORIES TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO, THE CAR HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, AND IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. WHEN HE TURNED THE KEY TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO THE CAR TOOK OFF!!!! I AM NOT SURE HOW FAST IT WAS GOING BUT IT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND STOPPED. THERE WAS NO DRIVER!! THERE IS A POLICE REPORT ON THIS, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL WITNESSES. MY SON'S FRIEND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED MAZDA HEADQUARTERS TO MAKE THEM AWARE, AND THEY SEEMED BOTHERED THAT I EVEN CALLED!!!!! IT IS A MIRACLE A KID WAS NOT WALKING BY AND WAS STRUCK BY THIS OUT OF CONTROL CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569417

Official recalls

19V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 31, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

18V717000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 12, 2018

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

18V631000 · Structure; Suspension:front:control Arm

Sep 14, 2018

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Consequence: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I.

Suspension:front:control Arm

Consequence: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

18V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

17V429000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 29, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

16V594000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Aug 11, 2016

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, to December 3, 2009. The protective coating may not have been properly applied to the air bag control unit (ACU) and, as a result, moisture may damage the unit causing it to malfunction.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816H.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Consequence: Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816H.

Air Bags

Consequence: Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

14V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Mar 11, 2014

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, through May 2, 2011, and equipped with 2.5L engine. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive amount of negative pressure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line. If a web was found in the line, the fuel tank and check valve on canister vent line will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number associated with this campaign is 7214C.

13V425000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 24, 2013

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, through August 24, 2012. The door latch mounting screws may become loose.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If all three door latch mounting screws become excessively loose the door latch mechanism would not engage and the door might open while the vehicle is in motion increasing the risk of accident or injury.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will apply a thread locking adhesive to the door screws and retorque them, free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2013. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number is 7013I.

11V134000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Feb 25, 2011

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 MAZDA6 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 8, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, 2010. A CERTAIN TYPE OF SPIDER MAY WEAVE A WEB IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER VENT LINE AND THIS MAY CAUSE A RESTRICTION IN THE LINE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY NEGATIVE WHEN THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WORKS TO PURGE THE VAPORS FROM THE CANISTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS THE CANISTER IS PURGED REPEATEDLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE STRESS ON THE FUEL TANK MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A CRACK, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE AD AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CLEAN UP THE CANISTER VENT LINE, AND INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SPIDER FROM ENTERING THE VENT LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE18006 · Front Subframe Corrosion

Opened May 21, 2018 · Closed Nov 2, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front

In a letter dated September 14, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a defect in the front subframe assemblies of model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Mazda6 vehicles in certain states with high road salt use in winter months (Recall 18V-631). The recall covers approximately 48,814 vehicles that were sold or ever registered in the following states and District of Columbia:Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Mazda indicated that the recalled vehicles may have insufficient paint coating on the front cross member, which after continuous use in salt states may cause premature corrosion of the cross member. As the corrosion progresses over time, the structural integrity of the mounting point at the passenger side of the lower control arm may deteriorate and cause the steering alignment to change. If the steering alignment changes significantly while the vehicle is in motion this may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.ODI's analysis of complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and Mazda complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE18-006 identified a total of 53 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which front cross-member corrosion had progressed to the stage of complete or partial separation of the subject steering or suspension components and another 98 reports alleging premature and/or excessive corrosion of the subject components with no separation. Mazda's recall will inspect the subframe and apply structural reinforcements, anti-corrosive wax and an AC drain tube free of charge. In cases of excessive corrosion, the subframe will be replaced free of charge.All 53 complaints alleging complete or partial separations involved vehicles that will be covered under Mazda's recall, resulting in a failure rate of 108.6 reports per 100,000 vehicles (R/100k) in the recalled population. When all complaints are analyzed by region, 150 involve vehicles included in Mazda's recall (307.3 R/100k) and just 1 involved a MY 2009 through 2010 Mazda6 vehicle not included in 18V-631 (2.8 R/100k). The field data indicate that Mazda's recall adequately covers vehicles with a risk of experiencing premature corrosion-related failure of the subject steering and suspension components in the subject vehicles. Based on Mazda's safety recall, this investigation is closed.The following VOQs allege loss or compromised steering control while vehicle was in motion:11115277, 11115790, 11128449, 10706604, 10846298, 10899584, 11019306, 11033821, 11048014, 11074634, 11078734, 11080014, 11083781, 11090944, 11091913, 11098279, 11101718, 11102209, 11102796, 11110606, 11110773, 11112830, 11113461, 11113963, 11114039, 11114567, 11114939, 11115303, 11119368, 11119423, 11121341, 11123997, 11124647, 11128648, 11128774, 11130281, 11132046, 11133295, 11133511, 11138829, 11139187, 11139486The following VOQs allege subframe corrosion detection prior to subframe failure:11141172, 11131161, 11129747, 11129349, 11129185, 11128591, 11128223, 11124644, 11122948, 11120047, 11119752, 11119362, 11118786, 11118242, 11115432, 11114568, 11114477, 11114061, 11105334, 11104096, 11103756, 11103724, 11101659, 11100420, 11099962, 11097874, 11084411, 11081783, 11034064, 11025276, 10956316Some VOQs have been omitted from this list due to duplicate VOQ submission between ODI records and Mazda records.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front

Suspension