CarComplaints.com Notes: The MAZDA6 was redesigned for the 2009 model year. Like any first-year product, it has a few growing pains – most notably a shiny, melting dashboard that can blind the driver.

1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
126,680 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Mazda MAZDA6 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Mazda MAZDA6 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Apr 032023

MAZDA6

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 40mph heard a pop, hissing sound and unable to steer vehicle. Stopped at roadside to examine tires, which were ok. Incredibly difficult to steer wheel and to stay on the road while swerving. I was within a mile of Belle Tire for a mechanic to look at my Mazda 6. He showed me how the open recall on the front crossmember was repaired only on the right wheel side, and the left front wheel had the same amount of rust completely broken apart. A phone call was made to the Mazda dealer closest, problem was relayed to service manager, and said even with my pictures, Mazda needs inspection on vehicle, and wait for repair was a month. As my only vehicle, it took 2 days to get repaired by Belle Tire. I went with my receipt, and 10 photos, to the Service Department Manager that did the original recall work to discuss what transpired, and request a reimbursement for the incomplete repair on this open recall. He was not there. I then asked to speak to the Service Department Director. He also was not there. The Mechanic Supervisor took my name and phone number for one of the managers to call me regarding this problem. I have not received any communication from either Managers, which now has been since last week. There were NO warning lights on the dashboard when this occurred. I have had this vehicle since new, and only 61,000 miles.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #34

Aug 032022

MAZDA6

  • miles
I own a 2009 mazda 6 witch is my only vehicle I had tooken it to a mechanic shop due to noise comming from the front and rear of the car under farther investigation I was notified by the mechanic that the entire front and rear subframes were badly rotted and rusty i than took the car to a mazda dealer for further inspection we-??re I was notified that they would replace the front sub frame under recall but I would still have to pay out of pocket for all the other suspension components long story short I was given an estimate of thousands n thousands of dollars that I could not afford and was told the car is unsafe to drive mainly due to the rear subframe and components bein severely rusted I would just like to know why there hasent been a recall for the rear subframe on this vehicle when there has been hundreds of other complaints about the same thing I-??m goin through about the same year make and model vehicle so now I am out of a vehicle due to it bein unsafe to drive that could cost me my job

- Kingsville, MD, USA

problem #33

May 242021

MAZDA6

  • miles
My car had a air bag recal and a subframe and other misc recalls so I contacted the dealership near me which was In Springfield Mo and set a apt and had it replaced then got a call the next day saying they wuld meet me half way with a loaner car which was in Mansfield mo for the subframe replacement and they have had it for over a month and they called and told me it was ready for pick up 6/21/21 and I drove up there Wed to pick it up and it wuldnt start wuldnt do nothing dead battery. Dealership then hooked up a jump box the gauges started jumping all back and fourth like something was shorted or a short some were got it started and the min the jump box turned off the it killed all power the car shut completly off to nothing. So they gave me the loner vehical back and they drove me my car to west plains mo and they took the loner vehical and I got in my car and the air bag light is flashing very fast constly the steering is super tight and the brakes feel weird the passenger side is missing a piece in the dash only lights that was on my car when they picked it up was the tire sensor light and the check engine light got pics to prove and show everything.. I-??m driving it back to dealership to see if they can fix or make it right and give me the loner vehical back till they get my car back to the condition it was in when they picked it up for a recall repair..

- West Plains , MO, USA

problem #32

Sep 012020

MAZDA6

  • 65 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car steering veers to the left constantly. The electrical system is wired wrong and doesn't work properly.this happens while I'm driving all the time and its only a matter of time before it causes me to wreck.

- Ephrata, PA, USA

problem #31

Aug 072019

MAZDA6

  • 116,000 miles
Takata recall I was driving my car to work and the steering rack went out of it the car only has 116,000 miles on it.

- Centerville, PA, USA

problem #30

Oct 052018

MAZDA6

  • 188,000 miles
While driving car, felt clunk and car kept pulling to right and hard to control steering. When turn wheel, loud clunking felt and hard to control car. Car was on highway just before exiting to city street.took to independent mechanic who said subframe completely rusted and affected steering and wheels would not let anyone drive car and said car is undriveable. Car towed to Mazda dealer where it sits today. I was driving my 3 brothers in the car when this occurred. Luckily there was no accident.

- Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA

problem #29

Oct 232018

MAZDA6

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving to work on highway 44 when I noticed the handling was really bad. Had to come to a quick stop and applied brake pressure when rhw xar suddenly swerves to the right. Upon getting the car under control I had to run thw sterring wheel 3/4 to the left to keep the car going straight. Made it to work by driving slow and conitinuing steering left. Called a tow truck to have it towed to a shop. My mechanic replaced a wheel bearing and took it for a drive. He lost complete control of thw car twice; took it back to the shop and discovered the subframe completely rusted out and was the cause of the problem

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #28

Oct 202018

MAZDA6

  • 129,000 miles
I was driving about 45 mph on rochester rd in traffic when I had to pull to the right and brake for and ambulance heading my way, I heard something break in the front end and upon trying to resume my position in my lane my car would not steer and in order to keep my wheels straight I had to turn my steering wheel to the car left. I thought I had a tire going down so I pulled over to inspect my tires and found nothing so I got back in my car and made a turn back on the road and I knew right away something was terribly wrong as it felt like I was on a sheet of ice. I pulled over and called for a tow truck. Upon inspection at my repair shop they found my subframe was rusted out.

- Clawson, MI, USA

problem #27

Oct 042018

MAZDA6

  • miles
Driving on highway, I had to brake and realized I had to struggle to steer the vehicle properly. I heard a loud clunk when releasing clutch when I had to use it. My steering wheel was out of alignment. When I brought in for service they said the entire frame and underside of the body had rusted out. I do not have pictures yet.

- Whitinsville, MA, USA

problem #26

Oct 052018

MAZDA6

  • 161,000 miles
Subframe has severe corrosion, rotted out. Only one bolt holding the rack and pinion. Hard to keep the car in the road. Steers to one side. Make popping noises when turning certain directions. Steering wheel shakes when driving on freeway when reaching speed of 40-50.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #25

Sep 042018

MAZDA6

  • 88,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down the road and noticed my steering wheel started to not be aligned. I then noticed the steering response wasn't there like it usually was. I was on a highway and the car started steering as if it were a boat. A delay in the steering response was creating a dangerous driving experience. I brought it in to the dealership and they had told me that the part that holds everything together had completely rusted out. I could not take the car back with me as it was too unsafe to drive on the road. It's been 4 weeks now and still my car sits at the dealership. The car doesn't even have 90K on it and is in great condition other than that. Four weeks of no car and no word on anything about how it's going to get fixed has cost me money in rentals and also kept me from getting to all the jobs I need to get to. After doing some research on my own since I keep calling and they keep telling me they don't know what's going on with it, I'm noticing so many people with the same car having the same exact issue. This isn't a wear and tear issue like brakes or tires. This is a manufacturing and engineering issue that has failed. Any information on this would be great!

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #24

Sep 202018

MAZDA6

  • 169,000 miles
Was driving vehicle at 45 mile per hour. Suddenly noticed steering wheel was off center. I did not hit a pothole or any other obstructions on the road. Steering became very loose and vehicle hard to steer. When braking the vehicle started to make squealing sound and pulled to one side. Suspension became very harsh even on good surface road.. this is a catastrophic failure with no warning. Fortunately was able to get vehicle to auto repair center without getting into accident. Auto repair facility examined vehicle and showed me that engine cradle - subframe had rusted thought and broke. This caused the engine to go off center which caused the braking, steering, and suspension issues. Auto repair facility told me the vehicle was not safe to drive and made me sign a waiver to release the vehicle.

- Macomb Township, MI, USA

problem #23

Sep 102018

MAZDA6

  • 120,219 miles
I backed out of my driveway, which has a slight curb to it, and heard a clunk or pop from the front of the car. Drove down my street and to a highway on-ramp and while turning onto the ramp the steering felt loose (required more steering angle than normal to turn same amount). While on the highway, to keep the car straight, the wheel needed to be held turned left ~20degrees. I drove to the 1st exit to get off the highway right away, and while applying brakes, the car pulled to the right. Going on city streets to try to return home, a traffic light turned yellow, and applied brakes again and car pulled almost over into the right hand lane. Immediately pulled into a parking lot and called a towtruck, and towed it to a shop. Pictures from inspection performed by the shop are attached.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #22

Sep 092018

MAZDA6

  • 140,000 miles
Steering became difficult. We thought it needed an alignment nut 2 days later the steering became difficult. This was driving on a residential street at approximately 30 mph. We took the car to a repair shop to discover the sub frame has rusted into two. $1700 minimum to repair with a used part.

- Glendale Heights, IL, USA

problem #21

Sep 102018

MAZDA6

  • 180,000 miles
Inspection Agency found that the engine cradle was corroded to the point of near failure. Have been told that a replacement using a used chassis will cost over $1500. I have lived in New Jersey/Pennsylvania for all but 8 months I have owned this car since 2009. From reading about others with the same issue, it seems the engine cradles were not made to handle those winter conditions. Hopefully this will generate a recall since it seems like a common occurrence. I also had to have my front axle replaced about a year ago for a rusting issue that may have been due to the same material corrosion.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

problem #20

Jul 012018

MAZDA6

  • 110,000 miles
Car suddenly veered right on the highway and scraped both fenders and the mirror against a cement barricade. Steering has been unpredictable. While elevated on jack stands with both front wheels hanging, crouched facing the right passenger side tire, the tire can be gripped with the left hand on the rear facing tread and right hand on the front facing tire tread, then moved in and out with large amounts of play, wobble, and clunking noises. There is also a large amount of noise and clunking coming from the area where the streering " linkage" ( term?) connects to the hydraulic rack when the front of the car is on jackstands and the steering wheel is moved to both extremities. The hydraulic steering rack appears to flex left and right when the car is on the ground in the normal driving position and the steering wheel is moved to both extremities. The left drivers side wheel bearing is in need of replacement. While assessing that is when the extreme rusting of the front subframe was noticed, along with a huge rust hole on the right passenger side as described by others. Very close to the attachment of the lower A-arm of the same side. Car was purchased new from dealership with 1500 miles by an in household family member and has had all/nearly all of its scheduled dealership maintenance at the place or purchase up untill the beginning/middle 2017. Afterwhich I recieved the vehicle. This was all noticed on or aprox July 1st 2018 and the car hasnt been driven since.

- Lake Milton, OH, USA

problem #19

Aug 012018

MAZDA6

  • 180,000 miles
This car was bought used. After suspension inspection I found out that the front subframe is extremely rusty and immediate replacement is necessary. According to the body condition there were no any incidents which may affected the subframe condition. Further driving with this is dangerous.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

problem #18

Jun 012018

MAZDA6

  • 100,000 miles
My son was driving my car to get food when the car lost control of steering and veered right towards the curb. His steering was straight but car was difficult to control. Thankfully he was only going 25 mph. We took it to auto shop and was told engine cradle/subframe had rusted throughout. Very expensive repair. We also own a second 09 Mazda 6 that we now worry about and will get looked at.

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #17

Aug 062018

MAZDA6

  • 131,000 miles
In August 6th, 2018, I was driving back from work with my 4Y old son in quebec city at 50 km/H. when I want to stop at the red-light I sensed a significant loss of steering control to the right and I was completely shocked because I was just about to hit a cyclist. And my son was frustrated too. Luckily nothing bad happened. But from there I wasn't able to drive correctly, I held the steering wheel to 60 degrees to the left while going at 25 km/H to be able to drive straight and get back to my home. The following day I drove my car to the nearest garage, and to my surprise, the guy told me that the subframe at the right near to the wheel is completely corroded and the steering rack was separated from its mounts causing the steering loss. The garage owner told that he called Mazda to ask for a new subframe for me, but they told him that they don't have it in stock and they have already 5 more people with the same problem waiting for that. Knowing that I do rust check and treatment before every winter. I am very thankful to god that nothing bad happened while I was traveling with my family during our holidays. Mazda should recognize this as a serious and very dangerous defect since it is happening for a lot of people.

- Quebec, ME, USA

problem #16

Aug 072018

MAZDA6

  • 148,500 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle started pulling to the right. In addition, the traction control and dynamic stability control off warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 148,500.

- Homer Glen, IL, USA

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