NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
This page covers 9 recalls and 133 owner complaints for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6.
Suspension and structural corrosion dominate what owners of the 2011 Mazda6 report. The most common complaints describe the front subframe and cross member rusting through, in some cases to the point of cracking or breaking completely. Owners report this leads to loss of steering control, wheel misalignment, and scraping from the front wheels. Rear subframe corrosion also comes up repeatedly, with owners describing coil spring mounting areas rusting through on one or both sides. Airbag complaints are the second most-reported category, though they cover a range of symptoms rather than a single tight pattern. The structural corrosion complaints are notable for how many describe discovering the damage during routine service, oil changes or tire rotations, rather than after a noticeable handling event.
133
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Mazda6 has 9 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
This airbag issue spans multiple recalls, including one where replacement inflators installed under an earlier repair used the same defective design, meaning prior repairs may not have resolved the risk. On the fuel side, spiders can spin webs inside the evaporative canister vent hose on 2.5L-equipped vehicles, blocking airflow and building negative pressure in the fuel tank until it cracks and leaks fuel, raising the risk of a fire. Two structural concerns also exist: corrosion can weaken the mounting point for the passenger-side lower control arm, causing unexpected changes in steering alignment, and the front cross-member can rust through, reducing overall handling and steering control. Both structural recalls are tied to regions with heavy road salt exposure. There is also a door latch concern where mounting screws can loosen over time, allowing a door to swing open while driving.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a different design at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front cross-member may rust due to a manufacturing defect, which could affect how your vehicle handles and reduce steering control.
What the fix does
Mazda will mail you instructions to visit a dealership. The dealer will inspect the front cross-member, install a drain hose, and either reinforce and coat it with wax or replace it.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front cross member can corrode when exposed to road salt, potentially weakening the structural component.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the cross member and either reinforce it with a side member and drain hose plus protective wax, or replace it with an improved cross member.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This happens because the inflator's propellant degrades after years of exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Spider webs can block the fuel tank's evaporative canister vent hose, causing excessive negative pressure to build up in the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module, inspect and clean the vent line, and replace the fuel tank and check valve if webs are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The screws that secure the door latch may loosen over time, potentially causing the door to become unstable.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply thread-locking adhesive to the door latch screws and retighten them to the proper torque specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
