2012 Mazda Mazda6 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda Mazda6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags3027.8%
- Exterior lighting2825.9%
- Body & structure1211.1%
- Electrical1211.1%
- Suspension87.4%
- Fuel system43.7%
- Steering43.7%
- Engine32.8%
- Visibility21.9%
- Brakes21.9%
- Interior & seats10.9%
- Driver assistance10.9%
- Other / unspecified10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger dash board is melting. It covers the passengers air bag. I would like to know if a recall is still possible for my vehicle. I understand that there was a recall in 2015-2017, but unfortunately I did not received the notice since I was moving from Illinois to Kansas and later to Texas and continued changing addresses during that time frame.
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS OF MY CAR AND I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE RECALL THAT WAS FOR APRIL 2019. HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED?
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY LOW HEADLIGHT BEAMS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT, ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE. THEY WERE LAST REPLACED LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO AND THE DRIVER SIDE IS OUT AGAIN. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND THERE WERE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT FOR THE LOW BEAMS IT HAS TO BE TAKEN TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO BE REPLACED. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AND EXPENSIVE!
HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE WAS BURNING OUT EVERY OTHER MONTH NEEDING REPLACED. RECENTLY CHANGED HEADLIGHT AND THE BULB IS FINE BUT THE ADAPTER INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY IS BURNED AND CHARRED. JUST WENT TO CHANGE THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE. GOOD BULB BUT THE ADAPTER TO ATTACH BULB IS BURNED. READING MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS BEING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2012 MAZDA 6. INCLUDING ISSUES OF LIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND HAVING TO TAP ON THE HEADLIGHT TO GET IT TO TURN ON.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and crossing a bridge, the vehicle stopped unexpectedly after driving over several expansion joints. The contact stated that the vehicle had not stalled. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the passenger’s side front wheel was slanted into the wheel well. The contact inspected the wheel well and noticed that the control arm had sheared off at the cross member. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the steering wheel had turned slightly to the right. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension), which included the VIN. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the VIN was included in a recall, and the contact was advised that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the dealer had not diagnosed vehicle in a month. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact to work with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake violently, with the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had detached from the vehicle. The contact's father was called to the scene and the spare tire was placed on the vehicle. The contact then drove to an independent mechanic where both the front driver’s and front passenger’s side tires were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; and the diagnostic test determined that the cross member had corroded and caused the tire failure. The contact was then notified that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension) and that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was 204,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2012 MAZDA 6, VIN#[XXX], THAT I BOUGHT IN 2012. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. FOR A FEW YEARS I WAS JUST DEALING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY GOING OUT EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS. AT FIRST I WAS THINKING THE LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT AFTER SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A MORE THAN A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE CARS. THIS IS THE MAIN COMPLAINT. IT HAS BEEN LINKED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID WAS THE ISSUE. IT ALSO MENTIONED THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHICH IS THE PROBLEM I AM CURRENTLY HAVING NOW. MY CAR HAS SHUTDOWN A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES, THE LAST TIME BEING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY MAZDA THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE IN AN ACCIDENT? THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear subframe and suspension parts are rusted so bad that the car is not safe to drive. Looked up recalls and found out the front subframe had a recall and was taken care of before I bought the car. Also found recall for my model of car that were registered in state that use salt on there roads which is one of the state i live in. Was told my Mazda corporation the only certain 2012 mazda vehicle's vehicle's were covered for rusting issues with the rear . If the front of the car is recalled and the same problem happens with the rear of the car shouldn't it be covered for something? I have an appointment coming up on the 21 of January which is ridiculous that I have to wait 3 weeks to have it looked at. . Thank you for your time. The only reason I found the problem with the car was a stick got stuck in the rusted out parts and when I took it out a bunch of rust fell on the ground.
The contact owns a 2012 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and crossing a bridge, the vehicle stopped unexpectedly after driving over several expansion joints. The contact stated that the vehicle had not stalled. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the passenger’s side front wheel was slanted into the wheel well. The contact inspected the wheel well and noticed that the control arm had sheared off at the cross member. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the steering wheel had turned slightly to the right. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension), which included the VIN. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the VIN was included in a recall, and the contact was advised that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the dealer had not diagnosed vehicle in a month. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact to work with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAN SMELL STRONG GAS FUMES, AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. ALSO, GAS TANK LEAKING, AFTER PUTTING GAS IN TANK, AT HALF FILL OR FULL TANK, GET GAS SMELLS AND LEAKING. WHILE STATIONARY AND MOVING, CAN SMELL GAS FUMES. HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT AND DURING RAINY WEATHER. HEADLIGHTS ADEQUATE ONLY IN HIGH BEAM MODE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving down the road when my steering, suddenly and with out warning began pulling very hard to the right and the steering wheel began turning to the left. My car made loud noises when I tried to straighten out the steering wheel and when I tried to turn. Its also appeared to be rubbing on the inside of the wheel well. Further inspection revealed that the support where the control arm is connected to the frame had torn away from the frame due to oxidation. There is significant oxidation on the frame and there are large areas that no longer appear to be solid.
I FELT SOMETHING WAS WEIRD WITH THE STEERING ONE DAY SO I WENT TO MAZDA DEALER BECAUSE I NOTICED CORROSION ON FRONT DRIVER CROSS AND REAR COMPONENTS WHICH HAVE CORROSION AND BASEBALL SIZE HOLES. INSPECTED BY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER IN EARLY 2022 WAS TOLD "WE SEE A LOT WORSE THAN THIS" SO NOTHING WAS FIXED OR REPLACED BY DEALER. OCTOBER 2022 FAILED PA STATE INSPECTION FOR SUBFRAME RUST SAFETY CONCERNS. 2023 GOT ANOTHER MECHANIC TO LOOK AND THEY ESTIMATE OVER $6,000 REPAIR COST (DOCS. ATTACHED). SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SIT UNUSED WHICH MAKES IT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION ANYTIME. POLICE OR INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE WERE NOT CONTACTED BUT CAN BE IF NEEDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE GEAR INDICATOR ON THE DASH I WILL FLASH IN AND OUT. WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WHEN IT COMES BACK ON THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP CAUSING AN UNSAFE SPEED. THE ECM WAS REPLACED AND TWO MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SEAL RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MI VEHICULO ESTA CON EL DASHBOARDS DERRETIDO ME AFECTA EL REFLEJO DE ESTE CUANDO MANEJO.LLEVO YA 6 MESES ESPERANDO A QUE LA COMPAA ME LO CAMBIE Y NADIE SE QUIERE HACER RESPONSABLE DE ESTO. NECESITO QUE ME AYUDEN YO COJO A DIARIO EXPRESSWAY Y ME DA MUCHO MIEDO TENER UN ACCIDENTE PRODUCTO DE ESTE PROBLEMA PUES ME MOLESTA A LA HORA DE MANEJAR , POR FAVOR AYUDENME, GRACIAS
MELTING DASHBOARD CAUSING GLARE ON FRONT WINDSHIELD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM BULBS 2 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2/2014. IT'S CRAZY CAUSE ONCE GOT OUT .THEN YOU CAN HIT IT AND IT WON'T COME BACK ON ONLY FOR LIKE A WEEK OR SO THEN THE OTHER SIDE GOES OUT NOW I'M DRIVING AROUND TOWN WITH NO HEADLIGHTS ONLY GOT HIGH BEAMS SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF OR THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS ABOUT TO GO OUT REPLACE THE BRAKES 2 TIMES ALREADY SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR JUST TERRIBLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE UNOCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A WALL WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. DOES NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN OR BACK AND FORTH. MY RELALATIVE IS SHORTER THAN ME SO SHE HAD IT TOO MUCH TOWARDS THE FRONT. I'M THE OWNER AND CANNOT ADJUST IT. WILL NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON MY PROPERTY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS NORMAL TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS CUTOUT AND OFF OUT OF NOWHERE MELTING WIRES CAUSING LIGHT OUTAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MILESTAR TIRES, NOT THE CAR. I HAVE MILESTAR MS 932 TIRES AND THESE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON THEM. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE TREAD OF THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. THE TREAD WAS WHIPPING AROUND AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AND I LOST MY BRAKE FLUID. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE IN THE CAR WAS INJURED. I DON'T THINK I HIT A FOREIGN OBJECT OR A POTHOLE. I WENT TO THE TIRE RETAILER TWICE BUT HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. I SENT A LETTER AND AN E-MAIL TO TIRECO, THE PARENT COMPANY OF MILESTAR, BUT THEY NEVER RESPONDED EITHER. THANK YOU.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .