2011 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
91/100
#2 most-complained of 12 Mazda6 years
The 2011 Mazda6 has a complaint index of 91, ranking 2nd worst of 12 model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other Mazda6 years. It shows 135 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls (3 do-not-drive), and its top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires with 51 complaints.
- Complaints
- 135
- Recalls
- 6
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
Top 2011 Mazda Mazda6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires51 (38%)
- Structure & Body30 (22%)
- Airbags28 (21%)
- Other22 (16%)
- Steering16 (12%)
- Electrical System15 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (4%)
- Brakes4 (3%)
- Engine4 (3%)
- Fuel System4 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe the rear subframe detaching at highway speed, causing loss of control and a crash into a median.
- Some report the engine cradle rotting through, breaking the lower control arm loose while driving at low speed.
- Multiple owners say passenger or driver airbags failed to inflate properly or deployed deflated during a collision, sometimes filling the cabin with smoke.
- One owner reported the driver's side wire harness burning out, causing the vehicle to shake and raising fear of fire or unintended airbag deployment.
- A driver reported the vehicle accelerating on its own while shifting into reverse, despite the brake being applied, resulting in a crash into a garage door.
2011 Mazda Mazda6 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V782000Oct 31, 2019Airbags69,879 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature 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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
- NHTSA 19V323000Apr 25, 2019Structure & Body51,118 vehicles
Structure
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.
Risk: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.
- NHTSA 18V717000Oct 12, 2018Airbags155,436 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
2011 Mazda Mazda6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Mazda6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Mazda6 a good year to buy?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011 Mazda6 ranks 2nd worst out of 12 model years with a complaint index of 91, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Mazda6 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Mazda6?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 51 complaints (38% share), with a median failure mileage of 108,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Mazda6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Mazda6, including 3 do-not-drive recalls covering airbag inflators, plus recalls for structure/body door latches and a fuel system canister valve issue.
- How many complaints does the 2011 Mazda6 have?
- NHTSA lists 135 complaints for the 2011 Mazda6, including 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 6 injuries.
- Are other Mazda6 years better than 2011?
- Yes, several years score lower complaint indexes, including 2019 (index 9, Best), 2013 (index 27, Good), and 2021 (index 18, Best), compared to 91 for 2011.