Mazda dealer was performing a couple of recalls. They found that the subframe was severely rusted. Said that it needed replaced before it failed. Said that engine could drop out or problems with steering if the subframe failed. 9 year old car with 100,000 miles and no other rust problems is unsafe to drive because of problem with the subframe. I contacted Mazda but have not heard back from them.

- Logansport, IN, USA

Subframe rust the front passenger subframe is severely rusted to the point that tmy local Mazda dealer (alden Mazda in fairhaven, MA) didnt want to perform routine maintenance due to their concerns over this very serious safety issue. They told me that the car is unsafe to drive at this point. I drive approximately 150 to 200 miles on most days and I'm very concerned for my safety. I purchased the car on February of 2018 with only 68,000 miles on it. As of July 30th 2018 it's at approximately 79,000 miles.

- E Falmouth, MA, USA

Bought 2009 Mazda 6 brand new. Car has 140,000 miles well maintained. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision with a truck pulling a trailer. The truck was at a stop sign facing West, I had right of way driving North, truck driver pulled out in front of me turning left to go South. My speed aprox.40mph to dead stop.. my vehicle never left the road or no impact with other vehicle. As I started to drive straight, I had to keep my steering 20-30 degrees to left because my car pulled hard to the right. I pulled over to check for flat tire. That was not the issue. I was able to turn around and proceed to a Mazda dealer aprox 2 miles South. I left the car there for Mazda to inspect. The service advisor called me and told me the front sub frame had split/cracked due to rust corrosion--"thats northeast Ohio for you". repair estimate $2000-$2500. Repairs are not done. Dealership has allowed to leave the vehicle in the parking lot for a short time. My car can not be driven. The dealership offered to work with me to "purchase another vehicle ".

- Akron, OH, USA

Engine cradle/crossmember is severely deteriorated on the passenger side. Excessive rust and holes in the structure. My concern is a safety issue in driving the car and having it stay together.

- Milford, PA, USA

Update to NHTSA id number: 11074904 on 7/8/18, the front crossmember engine cradle failed, which has resulted in the catastrophic failure of being able to steer the car. The car is now unsafe to operate and drive whatsoever. I have been waiting 4.5 months for the manufacturer to provide the replacement oem part which I had scheduled the repair in the beginning of March 2018. The manufacturer has refused to sell the part to the mechanic, and the dealer said the price of the oem part has now doubled. This price gouging and inability to allow me to freely choose who to perform maintenance on my car is unacceptable and may result in the pursuit of legal action.

- Brecksville, OH, USA

Garage kept Mazda 6. while traveling about 40 a person cut into my lane and under hard braking we heard a loud grinding sound and the car pulled hard right. We pulled over and the car was not driveable. Had it towed home to find the subframe broke behind the passenger side tire. There was an unusual amount of corrosion there compared to the rest of the car.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

Loss of steering due to passenger side rusted sub frame

- Mason, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. while driving 35 mph and making a left turn, an abnormal noise was heard and the steering wheel became extremely loose. The contact stated that the steering wheel was uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion mounts fractured due to rust, but the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Middletown, OH, USA

Advised at most recent service appointment that the 'subframe is very rotted' and will cause safety concerns.

- Rutland, MA, USA

Steering safety issue urgent. Vehicle was being driven on a highway when suddenly lost steering, front end of vehicle elevated upon turning steering wheel when it was stopped and stationary. Subframe of vehicle rotted prematurely allowing steering linkage attached to subframe to become detached. Vehicle unsafe and required tow to dealership. Dealership inspected vehicle and reported subframe needed replacement in order to fix safety issue - car not able to be driven until repair complete. Vehicle had been serviced at same dealership for years and issue never reported with subframe. This is an extremely unsafe condition for these vehicles. Technician verbally reported that premature rust/rot could be due to location of ac condenser drain line. Subframe replaced with new Mazda oem subframe. Friend with same make/model/year recently reported same issue with subframe.

- Ashburnham, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel had to be turned all the way to the left in order to maintain a straight line. The contact pulled the vehicle over in a parking lot and heard a screeching sound when the brakes were applied. The steering wheel went all the way to the right. The contact called an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rotted out and the front passenger side sway bar link needed to be replaced. The dealer, Mazda of bedford in bedford, Ohio, was contacted by phone and advised the contact to bring in the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-836240644. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Mayfield Heights, OH, USA

I am having trouble with my alignment going out had it done and a day later went back out. Apon review it turn out the sub frame by the motor cradle is disintegrated causing the problems with steering and alignment.

- Vermilion, OH, USA

I went for an oil change and found out that the frame that holds the engine in place was completely rotted out and that my engine could fall out at any given time. Also, because of the rot, the rod that should be attached to the steering was not attached because the bolts had nothing to adhere to. This could have resulted in me driving with my daughter and losing my steering and possibly getting in a fatal accident. The car is in the shop as it is not able to be driven per my mechanic for safety reasons as well as failing inspection fro this. Please contact me as soon as possible as I do not have any transportation and I work full time. I can be reached at [xxx]. or my mechanic at hometowne auto, [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Easton, MA, USA

2009 Mazda6 possible loss of steering control. The steering rack mounting bolt on the right side is not connected to the frame. The mounting boss on the cross member frame (engine cradle) is rusted out after 8 winters and 69000 miles. The steering rack is only connected on the left side by 2 bolts that will fail soon. At that point there would be a total loss of steering control when the rack breaks free of its mounts. I found this after noticing that the car made a noise when turning, also while in park and turning the steering wheel back and forth, the front end of the car would lift up and back down. I inspected the front right for a cause and found the rack was loose. I believe it is too dangerous to drive in this condition.

- Cicero, NY, USA

I returned to my vehicle after work and the vehicle was dead except for the remote keyless entry and lights. The vehicle would not start and there was no accessory or on power. The dealer stated that the steering wheel lock and push button start had malfunctioned. I was quoted a repair bill of $1,660, which includes more than $1,000 in parts (parts numbers gs3M-66-15xd and gsyd-67-5dzg ). these are basic systems that failed after only 31,000 miles of use on a vehicle that was maintained very well.

- Damascus, MD, USA