KnownCarProblems2009 Mazda Mazda6 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda Mazda6, most often about the body and structure (32% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Mazda6 model year since 2000 and has 9 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory4 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2009 Mazda Mazda6 problems
Body and structure
123 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Rubber around small rear window, not the one that opens, has lost most of the rubber. Noticed this while washing the vehicle. The remaining rubber did not seem dry rotted but it pulls out easily and significant amount is already missing.
The front engine cradle/subframe, lower control arms is rusted/corroded to the point that I was advised car would not pass inspection and that if parts failed, engine would fall under car and I could loose all steering/brakes. Per request from Mazda car was taken to dealer who confirmed extent of corrosion. This…
Suspension
76 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
I have been having something making noise in the rear end of the vehicle since feb. I had people check it during oil change and said everything looked fine. On 06/21/2018 while getting a tire fixed I had this company check the noise. They discovered that the rear drivers side subframe had rusted away and becoming a…
This past week, while driving my vehicle to and from work on a public roadway, the steering wheel was off-center and the vehicle started to shift to the side of the road while vehicle was in motion while driving straight. I took it to an auto repair shop and they told me the sub frame is completely split in half and…
Air bags
75 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection of the front passenger tire, and front and rear frame, the contact noticed extensive rust and corrosion. The frame also had cracks near the front passenger tire. The vehicle was included in…
I took my car to ferman Mazda of brandon 9809 adamo drive, tampa ([phone] to get the recall done. They had my car for two and half months. Said they did recall on airbag. Now my airbag light came on and doesn't shut off. I was told that they replaced the parts that they recalled but now I checked online it says it…
Other or unspecified
57 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles.
The panic alarm has been going off every week at least once or twice. This happens a lot in the evenings between 8pm and 11pm. It'll go off by itself for no reason at all. This happened another time last year, but only once. Now, it's happening every week and it's pretty annoying. I've read on other forums where…
My son was driving my car to get food when the car lost control of steering and veered right towards the curb. His steering was straight but car was difficult to control. Thankfully he was only going 25 MPH. We took it to auto shop and was told engine cradle/subframe had rusted throughout. Very expensive repair. We…
Steering
36 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 123,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, rack and pinion.
I am having trouble with my alignment going out had it done and a day later went back out. Apon review it turn out the sub frame by the motor cradle is disintegrated causing the problems with steering and alignment.
Steering safety issue urgent. Vehicle was being driven on a highway when suddenly lost steering, front end of vehicle elevated upon turning steering wheel when it was stopped and stationary. Subframe of vehicle rotted prematurely allowing steering linkage attached to subframe to become detached. Vehicle unsafe and…
Electrical
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
Horn has activated randomly for years now, the first instance occurring on or about july, 2013. I have brought the car into the dealership many times for this. Each time they said the door latch was faulty and setting it off. I have had 3 door latches replaced with the most recent being done on 5/2015. In august 2016…
The car's alarm system would be triggered randomly. In a period of 3 weeks it happened around 15 times. It ended up draining the car battery once. The alarm is on for few seconds and then it stops by itself. Upon taking it to the Mazda dealer they said it is a problem with door's electrical system and they had to…
Wheels and tires
25 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: valve, pressure monitoring and regulating systems, rim.
2 valve stems from the TPMS sensors are leaking air. That provoked an instant loss of total air pressure in the tires !!!! This is extremely dangerous if it happens on the interstate at high speeds. It seems Mazda has a service bulletin sb-02-001-12 but not a recall at this time (march 4 2015) from 4 TPMS sensors on…
Tire pressure sensor failed while traveling down highway, when finally able to pull over tire was completely flat and ruined, valve stem fell apart in hand while trying to remove valve stem cap, this is the 3rd occurrence while owning this vehicle, very lucky this time that it was a back tire and not a front. Each…
Visibility and wipers
17 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls.
Dashboard melting under normal driving and storage conditions. The dashboard of this vehicle is oozing a black tacky substance that shimmers in sunlight. The shimmer is reflected into the windshield resulting in an unsafe driving condition.
I first noticed my dash in my car today. The dash in my car appears to be melting. It is sticky, and beginning to have a shine to it. This area is located over the airbag area of the dash. I am not sure what can be done to fix this problem.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Mazda Mazda6 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began december 3, 2019. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317f. Note: this recall supersedes recalls 16v356 and 17v012.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began march 18, 2019. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818i.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 mazda mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began march 2, 2018. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317f.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2013 mazda6 and 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 2010 mazda6, cx-7 and cx-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." additionally, unless covered in zone a or zone b, mazda is recalling certain 2009 mazda6, cx-7, and cx-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of alaska, colorado
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began october 4, 2017. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317f. Note: this recall supersedes recall 17v-012.
Full defect summary
Mazda north america operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2012 cx-7, cx-9 and mazda6 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 included in "zone a" above, mazda is recalling certain 2009 cx-7, cx-9 and mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia, or "zone b." additionally, unless included in "zone a" or "zone b" above, mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 cx-7 and cx-9 sold, or ever registered in the stat
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2017. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317f. Note: this recall supersedes recall 16v356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: Failure of the acu would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Mazda dealers will replace the acu, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began june 2017. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816h.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 mazda6 vehicles manufactured february 4, 2008, to december 3, 2009. The protective coating may not have been properly applied to the air bag control unit (acu) and, as a result, moisture may damage the unit causing it to malfunction.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If all three door latch mounting screws become excessively loose the door latch mechanism would not engage and the door might open while the vehicle is in motion increasing the risk of accident or injury.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will apply a thread locking adhesive to the door screws and retorque them, free of charge. The recall began on october 29, 2013. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number is 7013i.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: As the canister is purged repeatedly during normal operation, the stress on the fuel tank may eventually result in a crack, potentially leading to fuel leakage ad an increased risk of fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and clean up the canister vent line, and install a spring to prevent this type of spider from entering the vent line. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 25, 2011. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 mazda6 vehicles manufactured from april 8, 2008, through february 8, 2010. A certain type of spider may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line and this may cause a restriction in the line. If this occurs, the fuel tank pressure may become excessively negative when the emission control system works to purge the vapors from the canister.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: Driving the vehicle with the door unlatched could lead to an unbelted occupant being ejected and could result in death or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the door handles and if necessary repair or replace the handles free of charge. The recall began on february 13, 2009. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling 29,000 my 2009 mazda6. The outer door handles may stick which may prevent the door from latching. This situation may allow the door to open while the vehicle is in motion.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front subframe corrosion
Summary
In a letter dated september 14, 2018, mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) of a defect in the front subframe assemblies of model year (my) 2009 through 2010 mazda6 vehicles in certain states with high road salt use in winter months (recall 18v-631). The recall covers approximately 48,814 vehicles that were sold or ever registered in the following states and district of columbia:connecticut, delaware, 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. Mazda i
Door latch failures due to loose screws
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on reports that the doors were failing to properly latch on model year (my) 2009 mazda6 vehicles.complainants alleged that the door would fail to latch, or would not properly latch. Odi received a total of 9 complaints alleging this condition primarily on the front side doors, however any of the four side doors could be affected.in response to odi's information request, mazda provided 56 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem, and 329 warranty claims.on september 23, 2013, mazda notified odi that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2009-2013 mazda6 vehicles built from february 4, 2008 through aug
Questions about the 2009 Mazda Mazda6
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda Mazda6?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (123 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); suspension (76 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles); air bags (75 complaints, typically around 74,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 31, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Mazda Mazda6?
- It is the most complained-about Mazda6 model year since 2000, with 386 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.