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Mazda

2011 Mazda MAZDA6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

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.

2 fire reports 10 crash reports 7 injuries

186

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SUSPENSION

49 complaints
26%
  • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

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.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
8
30-60K
18
60-100K
25
100-150K
27
150-200K
8
200K+
2

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 55K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 58K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 108K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
0
60-100K
4
100-150K
9
150-200K
3
200K+
2

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 101K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
5
100-150K
6
150-200K
3
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 97K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
3
150-200K
1
200K+
0

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)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE12/10/2018

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

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,366
Full coverage / month
$114
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda MAZDA6 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
120K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

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

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

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)

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