2011 Mazda MAZDA6 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 12%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,906miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6, 12% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,906 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was on a street in the city waiting for the light to change. Suddenly I lost control of the car, the card accelerated himself. I try to and put brake to the bottom but anyway I hit the car in front of me. Much of the front of my car is broken. The other car was damaged in the back of their car. The police made a report of what happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11209918, filed 2019-05, 76,000 miles“While driving on the highway at about 55 MPH I heard a loud noice and the car suddenly started to swerve, the steering became difficult. I was able to slow down and pull off the highway and to a parking lot. During the ride at a much slower speed around 20-25 very loud noises came from the right front of the car especially,when the the wheel was turned. The vehicle is not drivable and had to be towed. The sub frame rusted out and the lower control arm pushed the right front tire into the back of the wheel well.”
NHTSA complaint #11115790, filed 2018-08, 188,805 miles“Recently while driving down a straight road about 35 MPH my steering started to fail in order to keep the car going straight the wheel has to be turned to the left and held in place. The indicator lights came on that my brake assist system is off/failing. The car slightly jerks to the right when trying to stay going straight. There was noise coming from under the car when turning and going in reverse. Upon inspection for the body shop the subframe is prematurely rotting and that is why I lost proper steering along why the other issues occurred too. …”
NHTSA complaint #11115277, filed 2018-08, 100,700 miles“Was driving on interstate at 70mph and applied breaks, heard a bang from area of passenger front side and lost control of the steering of the vehicle causing it swerve into the adjacent lane on my right. I narrowly avoided being hitting and being hit by other vehicles and was able get the car to the shoulder event without having proper control steering as the car would only steer to the right. Upon inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the bang was the passenger side subframe cracking due to heavy deterioration from rust. The car is underivable. …”
NHTSA complaint #11162979, filed 2018-12, 93,112 miles“The rear subframe has excessive rust and mechanic reported it would not pass yearly inspection unless replaced. Front subframe had the same problem in 2019 and was replaced through Mazda recall. Mechanic reports the rear subframe has the same exact nature of rust.”
NHTSA complaint #11398057, filed 2021-02, 121,549 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 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
50 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsExterior lighting
11 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 28, 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