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2011 Mazda Mazda6 Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~8.4 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 10 Mazda Mazda6 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
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What owners report
Suspension is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Mazda Mazda6, cited in 49 of 134 filed complaints (37%).
Structure is next (30 complaints, 22%), followed by Air Bags (28), Steering (15), Exterior Lighting (11).
Across all complaints, 8 report a crash, 1 report a fire, 6 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 4 crash, 4 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 134.
Suspension 49 2 crash 1 injury
“The contact owns a 2011 Mazda MZ6. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 60-65 MPH, the rear subframe had detached, causing the vehicle to spin across four lanes of traffic and then crash into the median wall. The air bags were not deployed. A police report was filed that listed the cause of failure as a passenger's side rear tire blowout due to cracks along the tire. The contact's son sustained a back injury and medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the rear subframe had detach…”
NHTSA complaint #11477574, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11128449, 2018 · crash
“The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the contact attempted to swerve out the way of another vehicle as she suddenly lost control of the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact force to steer the vehicle to the left as the contact attempted to maintain control of the vehicle. The contact managed to pull over into a parking lot and called her husband for assistance. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle home despite the vehicle being extremely difficult to maneuver. The contact's husband managed to drive the vehicle to a…”
NHTSA complaint #11738066, 2026
Structure 30 3 crash 2 injury
“I WAS IN A CRASH WHERE MY FRONT END WAS EASILY DAMAGED AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED”
NHTSA complaint #11364856, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“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 E…”
NHTSA complaint #10881443, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11128449, 2018 · crash
Air Bags 28 4 crash 4 injury
“HAD AN HEAD ON CAR ACCIDENT ON THE STREET MY TIRE BLOW OUT AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT, ALSO THE DRIVER AIRBAG CAME OUT BUT IT WAS DEFLATED NO AIR WAS IN IT OR WHAT EVER MAKES AN AIR BAG BLOW UP. IN WHICH COST ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL.”
NHTSA complaint #11326689, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“I WAS IN A CRASH WHERE MY FRONT END WAS EASILY DAMAGED AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED”
NHTSA complaint #11364856, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“TWO CAR COLLISION AT AN INTERSECTION .CITY STREETS. BOTH CARS IN MOTION. AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT DIDN'T INFLATE. SMOKE FILLED INTERIOR. ATTENDING FIREMAN AT FIRST THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM A RUPTURE IN THE AIR BAG NEAR THE POINT WHERE THE BAG WAS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL.”
NHTSA complaint #10851915, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
Unknown Or Other 22
“Car developed a known recall issue problem, Recall 2818I. Even though Nebraska was not listed as a "salt state", it's obvious that Nebraska has similar conditions to Iowa. Attempts to contact Mazda USA corporate would not even fix the issue, citing cars age and other factors even though the damage is very specific to this particular recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11722303, 2026
“When I took the car into my ASE mechanic shop for a normal oil change and tire rotation, they performed a general overall car inspection. They noticed that the Driver Side Rear Subframe had rusted through completely, where the coil spring is located. The passenger side was rusted, but has not yet broke through. They stated that the subframe parts should not rust through like this. They also stated that it is dangerous to drive the car in this condition. I have not notified the manufacturer as of yet, but plan to do so. There were no warning lights, but the ride did seem to be rougher than norm…”
NHTSA complaint #11700788, 2025
“Bought. A 2011 Mazda 6, and took it to a Mazda dealer for an inspection. They found the rear sub frame ie rear cradle to be extremely rusted out, the shocks on both side are detached, and the springs look like they may push through at any point and do more damage. The car is unsafe to drive and the dealer estimated a repair cost or $4322.99 to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11570961, 2024
Steering 15 1 crash 1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BURNT WIRE HARNESS COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY ON THEIR OWN. THE DEALER (BAKERSFIELD MAZDA, 3201 CATTLE DR, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313) STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11139219, 2018 · fire
“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 complaint #11209918, 2019 · crash
“2011 Mazda6 A serious safety defect occurred on my vehicle and matches NHTSA Recall 19V-323 / Mazda Recall 2818I (front cross member corrosion due to insufficient coating) despite this recall not being associated with my VIN. Front cross member cracked due to rust, causing loss of steering control, wheel misalignment, and scraping from the front wheel. This is exactly the failure described in the recall (breakage of the cross member and reduced steering control, increasing the risk of a crash). My safety and the safety of others were put at risk. Although my VIN is not currently associated wit…”
NHTSA complaint #11713263, 2026
Exterior Lighting 11
“The headlights are increasingly failing. They are so dim that i can not safely drive at night. They burn out easily. I have to replace them about 4 times a year now. In the first few years of owning the car the headlights were fine. But now it is a major safely issue for myself and others on the road. It seems like with age the headlights or components are wearing out. I am considering getting rid of this car only due to the headlights. I have considered changing to a xenon system but i am scared of the wiring and do not want to risk a wiring issue. This is my only concern with this car an…”
NHTSA complaint #11482799, 2022
“HEADLIGHT ON BOTH SIDES GO OUT OFTEN. AFTER HAVING THIS ISSUE FAR TOO MANY TIMES, I LOOKED ONLINE HOPING TO FIND A SOLUTION AND DISCOVERED MULTIPLE MAZDA OWNERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. ITS A MALFUNCTION IN THE MAZDA THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY MAZDA THIS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011 I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS TWICE A YEAR AT LEAST .”
NHTSA complaint #11378623, 2020
“I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAY 2016 WITH 68K MILES ON IT. FIRST MONTH REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE WENT OUT. FIGURED OK NO PROBLEM NORMAL SITUATION, REPLACED BOTH DUE TO GOOD PRACTICE YOU DON'T JUST REPLACE ONE. FAST FORWARD 3 MONTHS LATER, THINK IT WAS ALMOST THANKSGIVING. IT WAS GETTING DARK, AND I FIGURED OK IT SEEMS WAY DARKER THAN IT SHOULD. I PULLED OVER TO REALIZE, I HAD NO HEADLIGHTS. I PROCEEDED UP THE ROAD TO WHERE I KNEW AN AUTOZONE WAS, AND PURCHASED A NEW SET OF SYLVANIA LONG LIFE BULBS, I THINK, I JUST KNOW THEY WERE EXPENSIVE, ABOUT $120. SO I WHIPPED OUT…”
NHTSA complaint #11245130, 2019
Electrical System 8 1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BURNT WIRE HARNESS COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY ON THEIR OWN. THE DEALER (BAKERSFIELD MAZDA, 3201 CATTLE DR, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313) STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11139219, 2018 · fire
“HEADLIGHT ON BOTH SIDES GO OUT OFTEN. AFTER HAVING THIS ISSUE FAR TOO MANY TIMES, I LOOKED ONLINE HOPING TO FIND A SOLUTION AND DISCOVERED MULTIPLE MAZDA OWNERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. ITS A MALFUNCTION IN THE MAZDA THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY MAZDA THIS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011 I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS TWICE A YEAR AT LEAST .”
NHTSA complaint #11378623, 2020
“ALARM GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE CAR IS PARKED. THIS STARTED IN FEBRUARY, 2020 AND HAS CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11328007, 2020
Visibility/Wiper 5
“PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS GETTING A STICKY SURFACE ON TOP. THE TOP LAYER ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT IS MELTING. IT IS JUST STARTING TO GET STICKY AND IT IS JUST ON TOP. THE STICKINESS HAS JUST STARTED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE STICKY SURFACE IS CAUSING A GLARE AND IS AFFECTING THE VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. FURTHER, THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN AFTER HAVING THE AIR BAG REPLACED DUE TO THE RECALL. NO PRESSURE/DAMAGE/HITS HAS OCCURRED ON THE DASHBOARD BY CONSUMER AND YET IT CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN IN JANUARY 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11073584, 2018
“THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS GO OUT AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR. SOMETIMES THEY WILL START WORKING AFTER HITTING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #10949511, 2017
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND MY SUNGLASSES HOLDER FELL OPEN WAS IN THE WAY OF MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE IT POPPED OFF AND FLEW AT ME SPRING AND ALL. MY MAZDA 6 IS A 2011 AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT A LOT OF REPORTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ME TO INSTALL A NEW ONE. AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEM. VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN YOURE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SPRINGS FLIES OFF AND LANDS ON ME THE DRIVER LET ALONE THE WHOLE DOOR FALLING TO MY FEET AND IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.”
NHTSA complaint #10762243, 2015
Service Brakes 4 1 crash
“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 complaint #11209918, 2019 · crash
“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 DISCOVER…”
NHTSA complaint #11162979, 2018
“I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE ROAD WAS WET AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS WHILE TRYING TO STOP IN THE RAIN. AS I SWERVED TO AVOID A FATALITY I CONTINUED TO TAP ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE BRAKE WOULD UNLOCK. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2011. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME I HAVE PAID FOR BRAKE ISSUES, ROTORS BEING WARPED, BRAKES SCRUBBING TOGETHER NOT HOLDING. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET A RESOLUTION BUT NOONE HAS ASSISTED WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10512716, 2013
Engine 3
“VEHICLE HAS A 3.7L V6 DURATEC ENGINE DESIGNED BY FORD. I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, THEN VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND I LOST BOTH POWER AND STEERING. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT CRASHING. STEAM/SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND THE TEMP GAUGE WAS PINNED AT H. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT COOLANT HAD GOTTEN MIXED WITH OIL AND ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. COST TO REPAIR - $7400 USED $13K NEW ENGINE. TOLD IT WAS NOT DUE TO ANY NEGLECT OR MAINTENANCE ISSUE. IT WAS A WATER PUMP FAILURE. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE. THE WATER PUMP IS IN…”
NHTSA complaint #11128193, 2018
“THE AC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE BELT TO MAKE LOUD SCREECHING NOISES. ALSO, SOMETHING BURNING COULD BE SMELLED INSIDE THE ENGINE AND BURNT RUBBER WAS FLUNG AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ANOTHER ISSUE: READ ABOUT THIS A LOT BECAUSE I AM EXPERIENCING IT, THE PASSENGER-SIDE DASH IS MELTING. SEEMS THEY USED A CHEAP MATERIAL AND WHEN IT GETS ABOVE 80 DEGREES OUTSIDE THE DASH BEGINS TO MELT. IT IS STICKY, LEAVES A RESIDUE ON YOUR FINGERS, AND PRODUCES AN EXTREME GLARE. THE AC WENT OUT WHILE I WAS IN THE DRIVE-THROUGH ORDERING FOOD. THE DASH BOARD HAS BEEN MELTING SINCE LAST…”
NHTSA complaint #10864098, 2016
“MY 2011 MAZDA 6 HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BECOME DETACHED TWICE WITHIN 3.5 YEARS. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I HEARD IT THE FIRST TIME AS I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, LUCKILY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND MAKE IT HOME SO I COULD TIE IT UP WITH ROPE TO GET TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE 2ND TIME I WAS PULLING OUT OF HOME WHEN I HEARD THE SAME SCRAPING NOISE. I LUCKILY COULD PULL BACK HOME TO TIE IT UP AND TO GET TO A REPAIR SHOP. WHEN I WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOW LAST TIME, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MAZDA 6 BOLTS ROTTING OUT. I AM JUST GLAD I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HIGHER…”
NHTSA complaint #10661057, 2014
Fuel System 3
“FUEL OVERFLOWED DURING A ROUTINE FUEL FILL UP AT A NATIONAL GAS CHAIN IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA. GAS CONTINUED TO SPEW OUT UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL THE PUMP WAS MANUALLY SHUT OFF BY HAND. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10450688, 2012
“I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED MY MAZDA 6 2011, IF I SLOW DOWN OR STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL IS TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE, THEN OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL ACCELERATE. I WAS TOLD THE VOLTAGE IN THE GAS PEDAL CENSOR AND THE CENSOR IN THE ENGINE WERE NOT THE SAME VOLTAGE, BOTH WERE REPLACED BUT I STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. MY CAR HAS BEEN BACK IN TO MAZDA 3 TIMES BUT NO SOLUTION, AS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I WISH SOMEONE COULD FIGURE THIS OUT BEFORE I GET…”
NHTSA complaint #10454760, 2011
“CAR IS NEW, LESS THAN ONE MONTH SINCE PURCHASE. ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH EVERY FILL-UP. WHEN FILLING UP WITH GAS, AS SOON AS OR NEAR TANK IS FULL, GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK. TOOK TO MAZDA DEALER ON 11/19/2011 AND THEY CANNOT FIND WHAT THE CAUSE IS. SEEMS LIKE A HIGHLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO HAVE GAS SHOOTING FROM THE TANK. ALSO, IT COULD BE A FAULTY VALVE THAT MAY MALFUNCTION IN THE CASE OF A ROLLOVER, CREATING A HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE SITUATION. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10436632, 2011
Power Train 3
“Rear CONTROL ARM broke off the REAR SUBFAME due heavy RUST. I had to replace the entire rear subframe plus both control arms. This incident occurred WHILE I WAS DRIVING! Now I find out that the front end is shot as well and that Mazda is only recalling the front subframe and not the rear and I want to know why. Somebody could have been killed. The repair cost me $700 plus rental fees for a vehicle. I had my vehicle in the shop for 16days. It cost me $1,135. I have the invoices.”
NHTSA complaint #11418915, 2021
“THE 2011 MAZDA 6 HAS A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR LEADING TO A HARD JERK TO ALL PASSENGERS. THE CAR SEEMS TO JUMP AT TIMES OR FEELS LIKE SOME ONE HIT IT FROM THE BACK. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY MAZDA 6. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10678476, 2015
“WHEN I BACK UP AND STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I SHIFT THE CAR TO DRIVE AND IT FEELS AND SOUND LIKE THE REAR END IS COMING OUT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10644536, 2013
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
“TAKATA INFLATORS. MAZDA RECALL #: 7214C NHTSA RECALL #: 14V114000 I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE FUEL TANK RECALL AND NOW IT IS CLOSED.”
NHTSA complaint #11004664, 2016
Parking Brake 1
“PARKED VEHICLE ON FRIDAY AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON VEHICLE. WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK ON MONDAY IN A.M. AND WHEN STARTED TO GIVE VEHICLE GAS, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT AND THEN JERKED FORWARD MAKING A LOUD CHUNK NOISE. AS I DROVE DOWN ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 2 DRIVEWAYS, THERE WAS A WOBBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED BECAUSE IT SOUNDED AS IF A WHEEL WAS LOOSE. I DID A WALK AROUND THE VEHICLE AND COULD SEE SOMETHING NOT QUITE RIGHT ON THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE ROTOR (4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES ON VEHICLE). UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF WHAT…”
NHTSA complaint #10474084, 2012
Seat Belts 1 1 crash 1 injury
“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 E…”
NHTSA complaint #10881443, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
Vehicle Speed Control 1 1 crash 1 injury
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MAZDA 6. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10778207, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
Wheels 1
“Car developed a known recall issue problem, Recall 2818I. Even though Nebraska was not listed as a "salt state", it's obvious that Nebraska has similar conditions to Iowa. Attempts to contact Mazda USA corporate would not even fix the issue, citing cars age and other factors even though the damage is very specific to this particular recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11722303, 2026
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 draws about 8.4 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 10 among the Mazda Mazda6 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.