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2012 Mazda MAZDA6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 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

52 reports with mileage · 47 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 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 reports4 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

28 reports
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30,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES. NO OTHER LIGHT HAS GONE OUT ON THE CAR. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10717778

73,580 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I'VE BEEN REPLACING BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS EVERY 6 MONTHS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE THAT I HAD TO BUY REPLACEMENT BULBS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT HEAR I AM REPLACING THE SAME LOW BEAM BULBS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704579

36,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE AUG 2013, AND HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE 4 TIMES ALREADY. THIS LAST TIME I HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT ON ME AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISN'T RECALLED YET. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680122

55,000 miles · Nov 2, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AT AROUND 50,000 MILES, I HAD A HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) GO OUT ON ME. I HAD IT REPLACED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED. THESE ARE HARD TO GET TO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS SO EACH TIME I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE. AT 65,000 MILES, I HAD MY EN…

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AT AROUND 50,000 MILES, I HAD A HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) GO OUT ON ME. I HAD IT REPLACED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED. THESE ARE HARD TO GET TO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS SO EACH TIME I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE. AT 65,000 MILES, I HAD MY ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THEY WENT AWAY. I THEN TRIED LOCKING THE CAR, AND MY CAR WILL NOT LOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR WITH MY REMOTE. THE CAR WILL UNLOCK, BUT WILL NOT LOCK NO MATTER WHAT I DO. TESTED BATTERY AND ALL FUSES AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651905

55,000 miles · Nov 1, 2014
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT RANDOMLY WENT OUT. I TRIED CHANGING BULB, WIGGLING CABLES TO SEE IF THERE WAS A LOSE CONNECT AND HEADLIGHT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO KNOW ISSUES AND I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK INTO THE WIRING BUT WOULD NOT BE ABLE…

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT RANDOMLY WENT OUT. I TRIED CHANGING BULB, WIGGLING CABLES TO SEE IF THERE WAS A LOSE CONNECT AND HEADLIGHT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO KNOW ISSUES AND I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK INTO THE WIRING BUT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL MONDAY. I THEN STARTED SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND FOUND A VIDEO OF A 2009 MAZDA 6 WITH THE SAME ISSUE I WAS HAVING ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE GUY IN THE VIDEO LIGHTLY HIT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON THE TOP AND THE LIGHT JUST CAME ON. I WENT TO MY CAR AND DID THE SAME THING SINCE SO MANY OTHERS THAT SAW VIDEO POSTED THIS WORKED FOR THEIR MAZDA 6 CARS RANGING FROM YEARS 2009-2012 AND WHEN I LIGHTLY HIT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY THE LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ISSUE AND FOR REFERENCES HERE IS THE WEBSITE FOR THE VIDEO. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UQQPERRESA8. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651816

41,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Exterior Lighting

FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3X IN 1 YEAR.I HAVE PURCHASED UPGRADED BULBS WHICH HAVE NOW GONE OUT WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF THE CHANGE, THEY DID NOT SUPPLY ANY ADDITIONAL LIGHT AND HAVE NOT LASTED ANY LONGER BEFORE BURNING OUT THAN THE CHEAPER LIGHTS. HEADLIGHT CAUSING DIFFICULTY WITH NIGHT DRIVING. LIGHTS APPEAR TO BE FACING DO…

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FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3X IN 1 YEAR.I HAVE PURCHASED UPGRADED BULBS WHICH HAVE NOW GONE OUT WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF THE CHANGE, THEY DID NOT SUPPLY ANY ADDITIONAL LIGHT AND HAVE NOT LASTED ANY LONGER BEFORE BURNING OUT THAN THE CHEAPER LIGHTS. HEADLIGHT CAUSING DIFFICULTY WITH NIGHT DRIVING. LIGHTS APPEAR TO BE FACING DOWNWARD AND BEAM IS VERY LOW CAUSING POOR VISABILITY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, MOSTLY HAVING TO USE HIGH BEAMS DURING NIGHT DRIVING AND CONSTANTLY HAVING TO TURN OFF WHEN A DRIVER IS COMING TOWARDS TO ME TO AVOID BLINDING THEM WITH HIGH BEAMS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MAZDA WITH NOTHING MORE BE SAID THAN THANKS FOR REPORTING THIS . I ALSO HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING A RENTAL OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I HAD THE RENTAL FOR 2-3 MONTHS AND THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651085

47,000 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Exterior Lighting

FRONT PASSENGER HEADLAMP INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637872

100 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT LIGHT; THEREFORE, THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE LOW BEAM BULB COULD BE REPLACED WITH A BETTER BULB. THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS NOT REPLACED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT LIGHT; THEREFORE, THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE LOW BEAM BULB COULD BE REPLACED WITH A BETTER BULB. THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1500.

NHTSA ODI #10421109

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.

17V457000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 18, 2017

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 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 front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 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 17V-012.

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.