2011 Mazda Mazda6 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6.

20102012
Complaints
183
Crashes
13
Fires
2
Injuries
9
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2011 Mazda Mazda6 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#146 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:120,546 mi
Crash-related:1
#228 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:102,327 mi
Crash-related:4
#321 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:122,853 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6.

Suspension Failures
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
120,546
Airbags
28
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
102,327
Body Structure
21
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
122,853
Steering Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,646
Headlight/Taillight Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
62,703
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,044
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
101,800
Wipers & Visibility
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,167
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Subframe/Mounting Bracket
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Mazda Mazda6

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~685,210 vehicles.

19V782000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~69,879 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V323000Structure · Suspension:front:control Arm
~51,118 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.

18V717000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~155,436 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V429000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~205,377 affected

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

14V114000Gasoline Fuel System
~42,000 affected

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, through May 2, 2011, and equipped with 2.5L engine. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive amount of negative pressure.

13V425000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~161,400 affected

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, through August 24, 2012. The door latch mounting screws may become loose.

Other Mazda Mazda6 Years

2011 Mazda Mazda6 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 Mazda Mazda6 has 183 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 46 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (46 complaints, avg 120,546 mi); Airbags (28 complaints, avg 102,327 mi); Body Structure (21 complaints, avg 122,853 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 104,337 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 include 13 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 685,210 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mazda Mazda6 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2011 Mazda Mazda6

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