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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
89,914 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MAZDA MALL OF GEORGIA (3546 GA-20, BUFORD, GA 30519, (678) 394-3085) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW FRAME NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MAZDA MALL OF GEORGIA (3546 GA-20, BUFORD, GA 30519, (678) 394-3085) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW FRAME NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,914.

NHTSA ODI #11229221

76,000 miles · May 25, 2019
Service BrakesSteeringCrash

I WAS ON A STREET IN THE CITY WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE CARD ACCELERATED HIMSELF. I TRY TO AND PUT BRAKE TO THE BOTTOM BUT ANYWAY I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MUCH OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS BROKEN. THE OTHER CAR WAS DAMAGED IN THE BACK OF THEIR CAR. THE POLICE MADE A REPORT OF …

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I WAS ON A STREET IN THE CITY WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE CARD ACCELERATED HIMSELF. I TRY TO AND PUT BRAKE TO THE BOTTOM BUT ANYWAY I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MUCH OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS BROKEN. THE OTHER CAR WAS DAMAGED IN THE BACK OF THEIR CAR. THE POLICE MADE A REPORT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11209918

103,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019
SteeringSuspension

SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, EXPOSING A LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 09/10 MAZDA 6. DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T EXPANDED TO COVER THIS MAZDA 6 MODEL AS I'M SURE THE SUBFRAME IS THE SAME THROUGHOUT.

NHTSA ODI #11203219

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2019
SteeringSuspension

I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD NICE AND MY CAR WAS GOING TO THE RIGHT WHILE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT, IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT I HAD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. WHILE I MADE TURNS I WOULD HERE LOUD NOISES. ALSO MY TRACTION LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE BREAKS WERE NOT WORKING WELL WHICH MA…

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I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD NICE AND MY CAR WAS GOING TO THE RIGHT WHILE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT, IN ORDER TO DRIVE STRAIGHT I HAD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. WHILE I MADE TURNS I WOULD HERE LOUD NOISES. ALSO MY TRACTION LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE BREAKS WERE NOT WORKING WELL WHICH MADE ME SLIDE AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO SPIN WHEN ACCELERATING AND THAT'S WHEN I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE SPOT AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CAR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE WHOLE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11196126

70,000 miles · Mar 30, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MY MAZDA 6 INTERIOR DASH IS MELTING IN 74 DEGREE WEATHER IN VA. THE DASH IS MELTING AND MAKING A STICKY MESS THAT MAY CAUSE A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11192615

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V717000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PADUCAH FORD INC. (3476 PARK AVE, PADUCAH, KY 42001, (270) 444-0011) AND WAS INFO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V717000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PADUCAH FORD INC. (3476 PARK AVE, PADUCAH, KY 42001, (270) 444-0011) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11187470

154,000 miles · Jan 26, 2019
Structure

FRONT SUSPENSION SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED DISABLING THE VEHICLE AND MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR OPERATION. COMPLETE SUBFRAME WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF RUST AND CORROSION BEFORE VEHICLE CAN BE OPERATIONAL AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11172246

93,112 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH AND APPLIED BREAKS, HEARD A BANG FROM AREA OF PASSENGER FRONT SIDE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT SWERVE INTO THE ADJACENT LANE ON MY RIGHT. I NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING HITTING AND BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES AND WAS ABLE GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER EVENT WITHOUT HAVIN…

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WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH AND APPLIED BREAKS, HEARD A BANG FROM AREA OF PASSENGER FRONT SIDE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT SWERVE INTO THE ADJACENT LANE ON MY RIGHT. I NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING HITTING AND BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES AND WAS ABLE GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER EVENT WITHOUT HAVING PROPER CONTROL STEERING AS THE CAR WOULD ONLY STEER TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BANG WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME CRACKING DUE TO HEAVY DETERIORATION FROM RUST. THE CAR IS UNDERIVABLE. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PREVIOUS YEARS OF THIS MODEL HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SUBFRAME DETERIORATION ISSUE FOR THE SAME EXACT PART #. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CAR CANNOT BE FIXED AS BECAUSE OF THE PART # IS NOT AVAILABLE AND HAS/IS ON BACKORDER FOR MANY MONTHS. THIS DEFECT IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK, IN MY CASE I AM VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENT TRAVELING AT 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 80. I FEAR OTHER MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. THE SUBFRAME RECALL MOST CERTAINLY NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO AT LEAST 2011 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS THAT USE THIS SAME SUBFRAME. ADDITIONALLY, AT MINIMUM COURTESY TO IT CUSTOMERS MAZDA SHOULD BE ALTERING ITS CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR SUBFRAMES INSPECTED AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MANY VEHICLE OWNERS UN AWARE THEY ARE DRIVING TICKING TIME BOMBS WITH SUBFRAMES THAT ARE DETERIORATING PREMATURELY AND CAN LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AT ANY MOMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11162979

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2018
Unknown Or Other

MAZDA WILL ONLY REPLACE DASHBOARDS FOR MELTING AND STICKY DASHBOARDS. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MATERIAL USED. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE DASHBOARDS THAT ARE CRACKING . MY CONCERN IS THE CRACKING IS OVER PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I FELL THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED AND CONTAINED IN A FAULTY…

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MAZDA WILL ONLY REPLACE DASHBOARDS FOR MELTING AND STICKY DASHBOARDS. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MATERIAL USED. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE DASHBOARDS THAT ARE CRACKING . MY CONCERN IS THE CRACKING IS OVER PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I FELL THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED AND CONTAINED IN A FAULTY CRACKED DASH. I BELIEVE TOYOTA AND LEXUS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY OWED UP TO IT AND REPLACED DASHBOARDS THAT WERE MELTING AND CRACKING. MAZDA REFUSES.

NHTSA ODI #11161388

120,000 miles · Nov 30, 2018
Unknown Or Other

FRAME/ENGINE CRADLE HAS HOLE NEXT TO LOWER CONTROL ARM DUE TO RUST.

NHTSA ODI #11155186

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.