YearToAvoid

2011 Mazda Mazda6 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 15 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6, 11% of that year's 135 total complaints. The dominant pattern is repeated headlight/low-beam failures, with median failure mileage at 63,000 miles. No related recall is listed for this issue.

Electrical System complaints
15
11% of 135
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
63,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Low-beam headlights repeatedly fail or go dark, often requiring owners to tap or rap the headlight housing to restore function.
  • Headlight bulbs burn out or need replacement every few months to about a year, even after multiple bulb brands are tried.
  • One owner reported the main wire harness on the driver's side burned out, causing the vehicle to shake and raising concern about fire or unintended airbag deployment; this incident involved a fire.
  • The car alarm activates at random times, mostly in warmer weather, possibly tied to a door sensor losing contact with the key fob.
  • One owner reported the engine will not power off with the push-button start after shifting into park, requiring the shifter to be moved back and forth to shut down.

When 2011 Mazda Mazda6 electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 17, 2013, latest Sep 4, 2022.

2011 Mazda Mazda6 electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month1Mar 2013May 2015Sep 2015Aug 2017Nov 2017Aug 2019Jun 2020Sep 2022
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2013 to Sep 2022; peak Mar 2013 (1).

Electrical System recalls for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Mazda6 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200519 (13%)
  2. 200617 (10%)
  3. 200714 (9%)
  4. 20086 (5%)
  5. 200943 (11%)
  6. 201033 (15%)
  7. 201115 (11%)
  8. 201234 (34%)
  9. 20135 (22%)
  10. 201450 (36%)
  11. 20156 (10%)
  12. 201613 (17%)
  13. 201720 (33%)
  14. 20184 (7%)
  15. 20191 (17%)
  16. 20200 (0%)
  17. 20210 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Are 2011 Mazda6 electrical problems common?
NHTSA lists 15 Electrical System complaints for the 2011 Mazda6, making up 11% of that model year's 135 total complaints.
What is the most common electrical issue on the 2011 Mazda6?
Most sample complaints describe headlights, especially low-beam bulbs, failing repeatedly or needing frequent replacement, with some owners saying tapping the housing temporarily fixes it.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Mazda6 headlight or electrical issue?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the Electrical System complaints on the 2011 Mazda6.
At what mileage do 2011 Mazda6 electrical problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on this model year is 63,000 miles.
Did any 2011 Mazda6 electrical complaints involve a fire?
Yes, NHTSA data shows one fire reported among the 15 Electrical System complaints, tied to a burned wire harness; no crashes or injuries were reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.