2011 Mazda Mazda6 Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the steering wheel was not operating properly. Several days later while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was play in the steering wheel. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side wheel. The contact stated that the wheel was turning abnormally. A mechanic arrived at the residence to diagnose the vehicle and determined that the sub frame was rusted. While touching the sub frame, pieces of the sub frame fractured. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11744830

Incident

Jun 13, 2026

Mileage

92,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the contact attempted to swerve out the way of another vehicle as she suddenly lost control of the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact force to steer the vehicle to the left as the contact attempted to maintain control of the vehicle. The contact managed to pull over into a parking lot and called her husband for assistance. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle home despite the vehicle being extremely difficult to maneuver. The contact's husband managed to drive the vehicle to a local mechanic, who determined that the front subframe had failed due to excessive corrosion of the subframe. The mechanic then informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension); however, the contact was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure where they confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained in the mechanic's possession and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11738066

Incident

Apr 17, 2026

Mileage

115,000 mi

Front Subframe has corroded and broke. There is a recall on the subframe that was repaired by dealership in 2019, but this repair did not fix the issue since it has now rusted through and broke. The repair was faulty.

NHTSA ID

11730786

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

Car developed a known recall issue problem, Recall 2818I. Even though Nebraska was not listed as a "salt state", it's obvious that Nebraska has similar conditions to Iowa. Attempts to contact Mazda USA corporate would not even fix the issue, citing cars age and other factors even though the damage is very specific to this particular recall.

NHTSA ID

11722303

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

2011 Mazda6 A serious safety defect occurred on my vehicle and matches NHTSA Recall 19V-323 / Mazda Recall 2818I (front cross member corrosion due to insufficient coating) despite this recall not being associated with my VIN. Front cross member cracked due to rust, causing loss of steering control, wheel misalignment, and scraping from the front wheel. This is exactly the failure described in the recall (breakage of the cross member and reduced steering control, increasing the risk of a crash). My safety and the safety of others were put at risk. Although my VIN is not currently associated with the recall, all conditions of the recall apply to my vehicle: -2011 Mazda6 within the affected production range -Defect is a manufacturing issue (insufficient paint coating) -Vehicle was registered in Missouri from 2023-2025, which is a listed state The only reason this recall was not associated with my VIN is because the vehicle was not registered in Missouri at the exact time of the 2019 recall campaign. This is an administrative gap, not a safety distinction. It should not be allowed to limit a manufacturer safety defect to specific states. Vehicles move across state lines constantly. A defect that causes loss of steering control does not stop being dangerous when a car crosses a border. Registration records alone did not reflect actual vehicle use or risk. If recalls are state-limited, manufacturers and NHTSA must continue tracking registration changes and associate the recall with the VIN as soon as a vehicle becomes registered in an affected state. Rust is progressive and age-related. Since this recall began in 2019 and it is now 2026, affected vehicles are more likely to experience failure, and many are now registered in different states than they were in 2019. I am requesting that NHTSA associate Recall 19V-323 with my VIN, investigate the adequacy of state-limited recall tracking, and take action to prevent this known safety defect from causing additional crashes.

NHTSA ID

11713263

Incident

Jan 16, 2026

The front and back cross members underneath my Mazda6 have completely rusted out. There are numerous complaints about Mazda's "Safety Recall 2818I Expansion" not covering the back support member and also not considering Nebraska to be a Salt Belt state despite the state, and specifically Omaha using salt to treat their roads in the winter. On [XXX], my front cross member completely failed due to rust, causing my vehicle to lose control. I've taken my car to the mechanic and they confirmed the front and back cross members are completely rusted and need replacement costing $7,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11682499

Incident

Aug 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at slow speeds in a parking area, there was an abnormally loud metallic sound coming from underneath the vehicle, and moments later, the vehicle became extremely difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the rear crossmember had detached from the vehicle due to excessive corrosion of the subframe. The contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension); the VIN was previously included, but was repaired in 2019. The contact stated that the recall repair was for the front passenger’s side lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11681707

Incident

Aug 19, 2025

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine service, the vehicle was diagnosed with rust and corrosion of the sub-frame. The contact was informed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11627207

Incident

Nov 25, 2023

Mileage

100,000 mi

After getting the recall information about the front crossmember rusting out due to corrosion, I decided to check the rear crossmember on my car. WOW, the rear crossmember is SO much worse than the front one and I’ve read hundreds of similar stories about the exact same thing happening to other Mazda 6 sedans around these model years (2009-2013). The rear crossmember on my car, which supports the entire rear suspension is completely rusted thru in several spots and the lower end links aren’t even attached anymore because the brackets literally fell off and so now both back tires are leaning in at the top. It is very noticeable! Very unsafe to drive! I decided to park this car until a solution is reached with Mazda or the NHTSA on how to deal with this. I don’t know why the front crossmember was recalled but not the rear? There’s only 2 things that are rusted on my car, period…the front & rear crossmembers!

NHTSA ID

11605695

Incident

Jul 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while the independent mechanic was performing an oil change on the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed the contact that the rear subframe was severely rusted with holes in the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ID

11605184

Incident

Jul 15, 2024

Mileage

129,000 mi

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel inadvertently moved to the left at a 30–35-degree angle. Additionally, the rear end of the vehicle swayed while coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the crossmember was severely corroded and the front driver's side crossmember had cracked. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front sub frame, sub frame link, sway bar, sub frame nuts, and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11587143

Incident

Apr 13, 2024

Mileage

89,000 mi

The rear cross member/subframe is completely rusted in two and the rear lower forward control arm is detached from cross member/subframe on both sides. There is currently an active recall for the front cross member due to accelerated corrosion from road salt but I’m not aware of any inclusion of the rear frame or suspension components tied in with this recall. It definitely needs added to it as this is VERY dangerous, possibly even more so than the front. Rest of the actual car body is fine, except for a little bit of surface rust. Please add this to the current corrosion recall! Car is registered in WV and is available for inspection anytime and I will be attaching pictures and I also have a video but it won’t let me post it on here.

NHTSA ID

11570675

Incident

Mar 13, 2023

I purchased a used vehicle in NH from a private seller "as is", repaired tires and brakes, passed MA state inspection and dropped the car off to address the recall, which I had researched via a VIN number search. The dealership informed me that the body had corroded beyond repair, and they cannot perform the required repair for the recall. While the dealership has been helpful, this looks like a major underlying manufacturing flaw for a vehicle at 115K built in 2011.

NHTSA ID

11533800

Incident

Jul 21, 2023

Corrosion on the rear subframe as a result of salt on roadways used to clear snow

NHTSA ID

11456434

Incident

Mar 11, 2022

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 ID

11428323

Incident

Aug 3, 2021

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 ID

11398057

Incident

Jan 24, 2019

Mileage

121,549 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER NORTH PENN MAZDA (181 BETHLEHEM PIKE, COLMAR, PA 18915, (267)956-1160) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE UNDERBODY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V323000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,259.

NHTSA ID

11390632

Incident

Jan 28, 2021

Mileage

88,259 mi

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PRODUCE TIRE SCREECHING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND APPEARED TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. WITHIN A FEW MILES, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, AND THEN THE DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL OFF AND TRACTION LOSS LIGHTS CAME ON. UPON INSPECTION AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE FRAME HAD SEVERELY RUSTED. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO OTHER RUST OR DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11374261

Incident

Nov 7, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

I WAS IN A CRASH WHERE MY FRONT END WAS EASILY DAMAGED AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED

NHTSA ID

11364856

Incident

Nov 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V323000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. EICH MAZDA (1933 W DIVISION ST, ST CLOUD, MN 56301, (320) 251-1737) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11251930

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MAZDA MALL OF GEORGIA (3546 GA-20, BUFORD, GA 30519, (678) 394-3085) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW FRAME NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,914.

NHTSA ID

11229221

Incident

Jun 18, 2019

Mileage

89,914 mi

FRONT SUSPENSION SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED DISABLING THE VEHICLE AND MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR OPERATION. COMPLETE SUBFRAME WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF RUST AND CORROSION BEFORE VEHICLE CAN BE OPERATIONAL AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11172246

Incident

Jan 14, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

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 ID

11128449

Incident

Sep 4, 2018

Mileage

85,000 mi

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 ID

11115790

Incident

Jul 31, 2018

Mileage

188,805 mi

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. THE CAR IS INOPERABLE AND THE SUBFRAME IS NOT HOLDING AS IT SHOULD

NHTSA ID

11115277

Incident

Jul 30, 2018

Mileage

100,700 mi