2011 Mazda MAZDA6
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 has 186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is suspension problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 mazda 6. the contact received a recall notification in october of 2016 for nhtsa campaign number: 16v593000 (suspension). the dealer (continental mazda of naperville, 2363 aurora ave, naperville, il 60540) stated that the parts were unavailable for repair. the manufacture. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
186
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
SUSPENSION
49 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN OCTOBER OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER (CONTINENTAL MAZDA OF NAPERVILLE, 2363 AURORA AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE
- • 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 TR
- • 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 FRO
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN OCTOBER OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER (CONTINENTAL MAZDA OF NAPERVILLE, 2363 AURORA AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BODY/STRUCTURE
30 complaints- • SUNGLASS HOLDER ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR POPS OUT WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS USE OF REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR
- • 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 I
- • 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 IS
“SUNGLASS HOLDER ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR POPS OUT WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS USE OF REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
28 complaints- • I AM HAVING VARIOUS ISSUES WITH MY MAZDA 6. FIRST, I HAVE HAD THE CAR 4 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS NORMAL. MY MAJOR ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT. HAD A PROBLEM BACK IN JULY WITH THE LIGHT FLASHING. DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS THE PAD SENSOR AND I HA
- • 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 C
- • 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 I
“I AM HAVING VARIOUS ISSUES WITH MY MAZDA 6. FIRST, I HAVE HAD THE CAR 4 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS NORMAL. MY MAJOR ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT. HAD A PROBLEM BACK IN JULY WITH THE LIGHT FLASHING. DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS THE PAD SENSOR AND I HA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
23 complaints- • 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
- • SOMETIME AROUND THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I THOUGHT MY CHILDREN HAD SPILLED SOMETHING ON THE PASSENGER DASH BY THE WINDSHIELD. IT TURNS OUT IT IS NOT A SPILL, THE DASH IS STICKY, SHINY, AND IT IS SOFT AND MELTING. I CAN STICK MY NAIL INTO THE DASHBOARD; IT IS LIKE HOT BLACK ASPHALT WHERE YOU WALK WITH
- • MY 2011 MAZDA6 IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HOWEVER, THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS AND IS MELTING CAUSING A VERY BAD GLARE THAT OBSTRUCTS ONES VIEW. I'VE READ THERE'S BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. MAZDA NEEDS TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THEIR CONSUMERS AND PUT THEIR SAFETY FI
“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 ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
STEERING
15 complaints- • 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 TR
- • 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 FRO
- • 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,
“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 TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 186 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN OCTOBER OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V593000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER (CONTINENTAL MAZDA OF NAPERVILLE, 2363 AURORA AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: SUNGLASS HOLDER ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR POPS OUT WHILE DRIVING OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS USE OF REAR VIEW MIRROR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: I AM HAVING VARIOUS ISSUES WITH MY MAZDA 6. FIRST, I HAVE HAD THE CAR 4 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT WAS NORMAL. MY MAJOR ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT. HAD A PROBLEM BACK IN JULY WITH THE LIGHT FLASHING. DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS THE PAD SENSOR AND I HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mazda MAZDA6 — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 186
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 7
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Mazda MAZDA6