2006 Mazda MAZDA6 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 173 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6, 4% of the 173 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Front sub-frame rusted causing lower suspension / control arm to come apart, leaving front wheel to be unstable. This happened while driving, almost causing accident do to instability in staring system. I see that this is a common problem with this model, however for some reason my VIN doesn't show the recall. Is this something that the company is planning to address, or am a stuck with the problem? Pictures included.”
NHTSA complaint #11298568, filed 2020-01, 196,130 miles“I was driving to work at 733am and my brakes locked front wheel slid card did not stop and hit front vehicle and air bags did not deploy and cause me an accident which car was completely a loss and im still scare that the airbags did not work. Im still scare I did not cause myself a worse accident but im emotionally still shaken by the air bags.”
NHTSA complaint #10650489, filed 2014-10, 115,000 miles“I was driving a hertz rented Mazda 6 2006 with approximately 1,100 miles on it. Was driving at approximately 65 miles per hour when I lost control of the car. The car swerved to the right and hit a truck and swerved back to the left and hit a median. On subsequent inspection, it was found that the steering linkages were faulty and had failed. The police have recorded the incident as mechanical failure. The car was completely damaged due to impact, the side air bag had released and the front left wheel had completely come off (the last mentioned being the cause of the above accident). …”
NHTSA complaint #10153743, filed 2006-03, 1,271 miles“Steering locked while driving the car in the city at around 35-40 mpg. It would slightly pull the right though very hard. It unlocks if the ignition is turned off and turned back again. The issue repeated 10 days after the first incident followed by a loud thud which appeared to coming from the car as the road was clean. Steering was unlocked once restarted.”
NHTSA complaint #10579512, filed 2014-04, 103,000 miles“The passenger side front vehicle frame has rusted completely through where the steering members attach. Found this when checking the brakes. Appears dangerous!”
NHTSA complaint #11145050, filed 2018-11, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153318Jan 23, 2019Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10142519May 8, 2018Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10185904Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10101062Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10090812Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10098895Nov 4, 2014Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road. Follow steering wheel alignment procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 3 | 5% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 12% |
| 2010 | 29 | 13% |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6
93 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology