2011 Mazda MAZDA6 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 22%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6, 22% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,700 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 miles“The right side of the engine cradle rotted away, causing the right lower control arm to break away and loosing control of the vehicle. I was only going approx. 15 MPH on a side street and applying the brakes when this accorded. The vehicle only have approx. 85k miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11128449, filed 2018-09, 85,000 miles“Rear cross subframe is very rotten and my mechanic told me not safe to drive car. Mazda had recall on front but not on rear. Is made of same material I look at line and a lot of people have same problem I hope you can help us with this problem Thank you and I hope you can investigate this major issue”
NHTSA complaint #11428323, filed 2021-08Related recalls
- 19V323000Apr 25, 2019Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of…Covers: Mazda MAZDA6 2011–2013
Related service bulletins
- 11022742Aug 22, 2025Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's…
- 11007022Aug 15, 2024Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's…
- 10243569Sep 13, 2023Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10240496Jul 6, 2023Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10225724Oct 17, 2022Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10208567Feb 10, 2022Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 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…
- 10148068Oct 10, 2018When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Pocket Paint Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable). Copies of…
- 10134702Mar 22, 2018When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Pocket Paint Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable).
- 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…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 3% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 6 | 10% |
| 2014 | 7 | 5% |
| 2013 | 3 | 13% |
| 2012 | 12 | 12% |
| 2011 | 30 | 22% |
| 2010 | 60 | 27% |
| 2009 | 123 | 32% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 9% |
| 2003 | 11 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
50 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
16 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 27, 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