2011 Mazda MAZDA6 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 8%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6, 8% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles.
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.
“The passenger headlight will go out on my 2011 Mazda 6 even though the bulb and fuses are still intact and working properly. It worked when I parked my car and turned them off manually and then did not come back on the next time I started my car and turned the lights on. It is definitely a flaw from Mazda as numerous people have had this same problem. It is not only the 2011 models, search for Mazda headlight issue and a variety of the Mazda 6's are having this same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10691766, filed 2015-03, 52,145 miles“The bulbs on my vehicle seem to blow out within a month or 2. We tried different bulbs and it still happens. We are spending tons of money replacing headlights and the car is only driven a couple miles a day.”
NHTSA complaint #10715543, filed 2015-05, 32,075 miles“I purchased this car in may 2016 with 68k miles on it. First month replaced both headlights because the drivers side went out. Figured ok no problem normal situation, replaced both due to good practice you don't just replace one. Fast forward 3 months later, think it was almost thanksgiving. It was getting dark, and I figured ok it seems way darker than it should. I pulled over to realize, I had no headlights. I proceeded up the road to where I knew an autozone was, and purchased a new set of sylvania long life bulbs, I think, I just know they were expensive, about $120. …”
NHTSA complaint #11245130, filed 2019-08, 76,000 miles“I was pulled over my local police for no head lamp. They let me off with a warning. I searched the internet the next day and found that this problem is a known defect by Mazda and they are doing nothing about it. I found over 4 dozen testimonials from car owners describing the exact same problem on the exact same model. They were told by Mazda north america to rap on the plastic headlamp cover and that would turn on the lamp....which it does. In my opinion, Mazda is negligent in correcting a known defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10503337, filed 2013-03, 34,000 miles“We have replaced passenger side low beam and driver side lowbeam lights since march 2015. After reading countless reviews over last couple of months, many many people have replaced more often than this. There is an obvious design flaw because a slight rap on affected headlight will make it temporarily work. There should be a recall by Mazda to fix this issue very soon..”
NHTSA complaint #10725416, filed 2015-06, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10154529Mar 15, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10153332Jan 3, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10134701Mar 22, 2018Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10118468Aug 9, 2017When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first determine if all the bulb sockets (including O-ring), seals and…
- 10111011Mar 9, 2017Take caution when cleaning plastic headlight lenses. Damage can occur when using some cleaners that contain strong acid, alkaline cleanser or organic solvent. Damage caused by…
- 10092413Apr 28, 2016Some customers may complain about improper operation of the auto-dimming mirror. This may be caused by an obstruction of the front and/or rear light sensor(s) (e.g. Hanging a…
- 10213417Feb 5, 2016Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination
- 10213421Jan 25, 2016Condensation/Fog in front and rear combination lights
- 10100888Jan 25, 2016Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/tail-light) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted…
- 10098885Nov 24, 2014When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first determine if all the bulb sockets are present and correctly…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 17% |
| 2012 | 28 | 28% |
| 2011 | 11 | 8% |
| 2010 | 21 | 9% |
| 2009 | 15 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
50 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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