
2011 Mazda MAZDA6
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 has 186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 78. 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. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
186
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
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
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
Based on 88 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 91K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.
LIGHTING
ELECTRICAL
OTHER
SUSPENSION
BODY/STRUCTURE
STEERING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (6)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Mazda MAZDA6 Service Intervals
SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2011 MAZDA6, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
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
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Mazda dealer
- ☐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
- 6
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 7
- Segment avg
- 78
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Mazda MAZDA6