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2011 Mazda MAZDA6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 105.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 73 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

134 reports
70,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Exterior Lighting

WE HAVE REPLACED PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM AND DRIVER SIDE LOWBEAM LIGHTS SINCE MARCH 2015. AFTER READING COUNTLESS REVIEWS OVER LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED MORE OFTEN THAN THIS. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE A SLIGHT RAP ON AFFECTED HEADLIGHT WILL MAKE IT TEMPORARILY WORK. THERE SHOULD BE A REC…

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WE HAVE REPLACED PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM AND DRIVER SIDE LOWBEAM LIGHTS SINCE MARCH 2015. AFTER READING COUNTLESS REVIEWS OVER LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED MORE OFTEN THAN THIS. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE A SLIGHT RAP ON AFFECTED HEADLIGHT WILL MAKE IT TEMPORARILY WORK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY MAZDA TO FIX THIS ISSUE VERY SOON..

NHTSA ODI #10725416

32,075 miles · May 10, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE BULBS ON MY VEHICLE SEEM TO BLOW OUT WITHIN A MONTH OR 2. WE TRIED DIFFERENT BULBS AND IT STILL HAPPENS. WE ARE SPENDING TONS OF MONEY REPLACING HEADLIGHTS AND THE CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN A COUPLE MILES A DAY.

NHTSA ODI #10715543

52,145 miles · Mar 3, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT ON MY 2011 MAZDA 6 EVEN THOUGH THE BULB AND FUSES ARE STILL INTACT AND WORKING PROPERLY. IT WORKED WHEN I PARKED MY CAR AND TURNED THEM OFF MANUALLY AND THEN DID NOT COME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED THE LIGHTS ON. IT IS DEFINITELY A FLAW FROM MAZDA AS NUMEROUS PEOPLE HA…

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THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT ON MY 2011 MAZDA 6 EVEN THOUGH THE BULB AND FUSES ARE STILL INTACT AND WORKING PROPERLY. IT WORKED WHEN I PARKED MY CAR AND TURNED THEM OFF MANUALLY AND THEN DID NOT COME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED THE LIGHTS ON. IT IS DEFINITELY A FLAW FROM MAZDA AS NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS NOT ONLY THE 2011 MODELS, SEARCH FOR "MAZDA HEADLIGHT ISSUE" AND A VARIETY OF THE MAZDA 6'S ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691766

59,000 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Power Train

THE 2011 MAZDA 6 HAS A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR LEADING TO A HARD JERK TO ALL PASSENGERS. THE CAR SEEMS TO JUMP AT TIMES OR FEELS LIKE SOME ONE HIT IT FROM THE BACK. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY MAZDA 6. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678476

45,000 miles · Nov 26, 2014
Engine

MY 2011 MAZDA 6 HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BECOME DETACHED TWICE WITHIN 3.5 YEARS. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I HEARD IT THE FIRST TIME AS I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, LUCKILY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND MAKE IT HOME SO I COULD TIE IT UP WITH ROPE TO GET TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE 2ND TIME I WAS PULLING OUT OF HOME WHEN I HEARD THE SAME SCRA…

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MY 2011 MAZDA 6 HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BECOME DETACHED TWICE WITHIN 3.5 YEARS. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I HEARD IT THE FIRST TIME AS I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, LUCKILY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND MAKE IT HOME SO I COULD TIE IT UP WITH ROPE TO GET TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE 2ND TIME I WAS PULLING OUT OF HOME WHEN I HEARD THE SAME SCRAPING NOISE. I LUCKILY COULD PULL BACK HOME TO TIE IT UP AND TO GET TO A REPAIR SHOP. WHEN I WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOW LAST TIME, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MAZDA 6 BOLTS ROTTING OUT. I AM JUST GLAD I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661057

63,010 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Power Train

WHEN I BACK UP AND STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I SHIFT THE CAR TO DRIVE AND IT FEELS AND SOUND LIKE THE REAR END IS COMING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644536

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2014
Visibility/wiper

SUNGLASS HOLDER KEEPS POPPING OUT BLOCKING THE REARVIEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627023

41,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

SUNGLASS HOLDER ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR POPS OUT WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS USE OF REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559168

64,298 miles · May 19, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE ROAD WAS WET AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS WHILE TRYING TO STOP IN THE RAIN. AS I SWERVED TO AVOID A FATALITY I CONTINUED TO TAP ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE BRAKE WOULD UNLOCK. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SINCE I PURCHASED TH…

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I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE ROAD WAS WET AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS WHILE TRYING TO STOP IN THE RAIN. AS I SWERVED TO AVOID A FATALITY I CONTINUED TO TAP ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE BRAKE WOULD UNLOCK. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2011. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME I HAVE PAID FOR BRAKE ISSUES, ROTORS BEING WARPED, BRAKES SCRUBBING TOGETHER NOT HOLDING. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET A RESOLUTION BUT NOONE HAS ASSISTED WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512716

34,000 miles · Mar 17, 2013
Exterior Lighting

I WAS PULLED OVER MY LOCAL POLICE FOR NO HEAD LAMP. THEY LET ME OFF WITH A WARNING. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY MAZDA AND THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I FOUND OVER 4 DOZEN TESTIMONIALS FROM CAR OWNERS DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THE EXACT SAME MODEL. THEY WER…

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I WAS PULLED OVER MY LOCAL POLICE FOR NO HEAD LAMP. THEY LET ME OFF WITH A WARNING. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY MAZDA AND THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I FOUND OVER 4 DOZEN TESTIMONIALS FROM CAR OWNERS DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THE EXACT SAME MODEL. THEY WERE TOLD BY MAZDA NORTH AMERICA TO "RAP ON THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP COVER" AND THAT WOULD TURN ON THE LAMP....WHICH IT DOES. IN MY OPINION, MAZDA IS NEGLIGENT IN CORRECTING A KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503337

Official recalls

6

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.

19V323000 · Structure; Suspension:front:control Arm

Apr 25, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, 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. 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 June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, 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. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.

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 June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.

Suspension:front:control Arm

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, 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. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.

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 June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.

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.

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.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.