10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,748 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.

2011 Mazda MAZDA6 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2011 Mazda MAZDA6 Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 132023

MAZDA6

  • miles

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

The rear cross member/subframe is completely rusted in two and the rear lower forward control arm is detached from cross member/subframe on both sides. There is currently an active recall for the front cross member due to accelerated corrosion from road salt but I-??m not aware of any inclusion of the rear frame or suspension components tied in with this recall. It definitely needs added to it as this is VERY dangerous, possibly even more so than the front. Rest of the actual car body is fine, except for a little bit of surface rust. Please add this to the current corrosion recall! Car is registered in WV and is available for inspection anytime and I will be attaching pictures and I also have a video but it won-??t let me post it on here.

- Belle, WV, USA

problem #15

Jul 212023

MAZDA6

  • miles
I purchased a used vehicle in NH from a private seller "as is", repaired tires and brakes, passed MA state inspection and dropped the car off to address the recall, which I had researched via a VIN number search. The dealership informed me that the body had corroded beyond repair, and they cannot perform the required repair for the recall. While the dealership has been helpful, this looks like a major underlying manufacturing flaw for a vehicle at 115K built in 2011.

- Arlington, MA, USA

problem #14

Mar 112022

MAZDA6

  • miles
Corrosion on the rear subframe as a result of salt on roadways used to clear snow

- Blacksburg , VA, USA

problem #13

Aug 032021

MAZDA6

  • miles

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

Rear cross subframe is very rotten and my mechanic told me not safe to drive car. Mazda had recall on front but not on rear. Is made of same material I look at line and a lot of people have same problem I hope you can help us with this problem Thank you and I hope you can investigate this major issue

- Southbury , CT, USA

problem #12

Jan 242019

MAZDA6

  • 121,549 miles
The rear subframe has excessive rust and mechanic reported it would not pass yearly inspection unless replaced. Front subframe had the same problem in 2019 and was replaced through Mazda recall. Mechanic reports the rear subframe has the same exact nature of rust.

- State College, PA, USA

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problem #11

Nov 072020

MAZDA6

  • 120,000 miles
The vehicle started to produce tire screeching under normal driving conditions and appeared to be out of alignment with the steering wheel to the left while driving straight. Within a few miles, it became difficult to control, and then the dynamic stability control off and traction loss lights came on. Upon inspection at an auto repair shop, the right front side of the frame had severely rusted. I was advised that it was unsafe to drive. There was no other rust or damage on the vehicle.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #10

Nov 222019

MAZDA6

  • miles

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

I was in a crash where my front end was easily damaged and passenger air bags not deployed

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #9

Jun 182019

MAZDA6

  • 89,914 miles
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.

- Swanee, GA, USA

problem #8

Jan 142019

MAZDA6

  • 154,000 miles
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.

- Woodstock, CT, USA

problem #7

Sep 042018

MAZDA6

  • 85,000 miles
The right side of the engine cradle rotted away, causing the right lower control arm to break away and loosing control of the vehicle. I was only going approx. 15 mph on a side street and applying the brakes when this accorded. The vehicle only have approx. 85K miles on it.

- Clay, NY, USA

problem #6

Jul 312018

MAZDA6

  • 188,805 miles

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

While driving on the highway at about 55 mph I heard a loud noice and the car suddenly started to swerve, the steering became difficult. I was able to slow down and pull off the highway and to a parking lot. During the ride at a much slower speed around 20-25 very loud noises came from the right front of the car especially, when the the wheel was turned. The vehicle is not drivable and had to be towed. The sub frame rusted out and the lower control arm pushed the right front tire into the back of the wheel well.

- Taunton, MA, USA

problem #5

Jul 302018

MAZDA6

  • 100,700 miles
Recently while driving down a straight road about 35 mph my steering started to fail in order to keep the car going straight the wheel has to be turned to the left and held in place. The indicator lights came on that my brake assist system is off/failing. The car slightly jerks to the right when trying to stay going straight. There was noise coming from under the car when turning and going in reverse. Upon inspection for the body shop the subframe is prematurely rotting and that is why I lost proper steering along why the other issues occurred too. The car is inoperable and the subframe is not holding as it should

- Hudson, MA, USA

problem #4

Jul 192018

MAZDA6

  • miles
I am writing this letter because I recently learned about a safety issue with my car during a routine oil change on Thursday, July 19, 2018. I was made aware by the mechanic that the subframe on my 2011 Mazda6 is covered in rust and should be replaced. Upon trusted inspections from two different auto shops, the result is the same: I need a new subframe because it is extremely dangerous if it broke away. I bought my car new in 2011, so I am shocked that a major structural component of my car is now compromised, putting my safety at risk. The subframe is on nationwide back order, which tells me (and both mechanics echoed each other) that this is a much bigger problem. My daily commute to my job has me driving on the interstate, at 70 mph, at a total of approximately 80 miles per day. I no longer feel safe when driving my car. I did some online research and discovered Mazda had over 20 reports from owners who say rust in their 2009-2010 Mazda 6S has caused, or nearly caused, a steering failure. This extended even further into other model models for subframe rot deemed dangerous. In 2016, Mazda had to recall 190,000 cx-7S for a similar issue wherein corrosion was causing suspension failure. Days later, 2.2 million Mazda were recalled worldwide. I called Mazda's customer service, but they declined to help me because 'I didn't continue my relationship with Mazda", after my warranty was up. However, while under warranty, I only took my car to Mazda for service because I knew I had to due to the warranty, despite their complete incompetence. During the time my car was under warranty and was serviced at Mazda, they installed my driver's windshield wiper backwards. It popped off the next day during a downpour. Two times they didn't close my hood fully (once left oil cap on top of my engine). For these reasons, I sought out a more reliable mechanic after warranty.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #3

Jul 012016

MAZDA6

  • miles
Currently, I have been waiting for a replacement dashboard for the last two years. The right side of my dash board is melted. Apparently it is a factory defect in my model car. Two years ago the dealership took pictures, sent in the claim, and I started waiting. Since then I have received at least two letters to update me to the fact that the part still is not available. So I continue to drive around with a melted dash board, which by the way is a sticky mess. Now, as if to add insult to injury, I have received a notice that my passenger air bag inflator needs to be replaced. Yet again, the part is unavailable and I will someday receive notification when the part is available. Even more outrageous is that the letter says, "until this repair is performed, do not allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat. It has been months and still no letter concerning the part being corrected.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #2

Mar 042016

MAZDA6

  • miles
The dash of my car is melting - a known problem in the Mazda 2011, as well as other makes and models, that is exacerbated by the heat. I leave in South central Texas, where we see a lot of heat. I called our Mazda dealership to ask what could be done about it. They said to just wait until Mazda issues a recall. In addition, they said they have had these parts on order since December and still haven't gotten them in. A recall needs to be issued and repairs need to be made. The dash becomes sticky and shiny, which in turn reflects light up on to the windshield. Visibility is then cut drastically trying to see through the reflection from the dash.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #1

Nov 192015

MAZDA6

  • miles
Takata recall - 2011 Mazda 6 I was the passenger in a collision in November 2015 where the 2011 Mazda 6 was T-boned on the driver's side by another vehicle (Ford Fusion), which made the Mazda 6 spin several times, hop a curb, and deploy the airbags. As the passenger (front seat) I suffered injuries caused by the takata airbags and required going to the hospital following the collision. Injuries included at least three fractured/broken ribs and major bruising on my right knee. Injuries took over 6 months to heal, taking heavy doses of pain killers just to manage the pain. Lingering effects from this collision can still be felt 7 months later. The driver did not sustain major injuries aside from scrapes and a few bruises. Police reports determined that the driver of the Ford Fusion was responsible for the collision and was charged with careless/reckless driving. That driver failed to stop/yield in their turning lane before driving straight into the Mazda 6. the Mazda 6 was declared totaled by insurance. The Mazda 6 was added to the takata airbag recall in May 2016, approximately 6 months after the accident had occurred.

- Mount Laurel, NJ, USA

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