2010 Mazda MAZDA6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
225 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 138 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 225 complaints (23.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 36 | 16.0% |
| Braking behavior | 31 | 13.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 53 |
| Suspension | 43 |
| Structure:Body | 33 |
| Unknown Or Other | 33 |
| Steering | 29 |
| Structure | 23 |
| Exterior Lighting | 20 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
Air Bags: 53; Suspension: 43; Structure:Body: 33; Unknown Or Other: 33; Steering: 29; Structure: 23; Exterior Lighting: 20; Electrical System: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 27 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 29 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 27; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 29; 150,000 and above: 14
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 87 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 1; 2011: 11; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 20; 2015: 22; 2016: 31; 2017: 39; 2018: 37; 2019: 18; 2020: 7; 2021: 8; 2022: 7; 2023: 10; 2024: 5; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10346731 · 2010-08-02 (August 2, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SPLIT. THE TIRES WERE EXAMINED 3,000 MILES AGO AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392918 · 2011-03-25 (March 25, 2011)
TPMS VALVE BROKE WHEN CHECKING AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE. TIRE WENT FLAT AND TPMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10392918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10393113 · 2011-03-28 (March 28, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH AND ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE START/STOP BUTTON WAS INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE START/STOP BUTTON WAS LOCATED BELOW THE AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON AND THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE LOCATION OF THE BUTTON WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399901 · 2011-05-10 (May 10, 2011)
MY 2010 MAZDA 6 WHICH HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT ALL 4 ROTORS ARE OUT OF ROUND AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PADS ARE FINE. THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THE HORN WILL RANDOMLY START BEEPING. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED IT DID NOT HAPPEN FOR THEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402409 · 2011-05-23 (May 23, 2011)
THE INNER TAIL LIGHT LENSES ON BOTH THE DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2010 MAZDA 6 TOURING ARE PHYSICALLY MELTING AND BECOMING SEVERELY DEFORMED. THE OUTER, CLEAR LENSES ARE NOT DAMAGED AND THE MELTING IS ORIGINATING IN THE VICINITY OF THE BULBS. CAR HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED FROM THE MFG AND BULBS ARE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED. CAR HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT AND BEYOND THE 36,000 MFG WARRANTY THEREFORE MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE THEM FOR FREE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SUPPLIER, DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE OR REDUCED BRAKE LIGH…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10408525 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA, MAZDA6. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS PRESENT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE MET THE SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/26/11*…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409451 · 2011-06-21 (June 21, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AFTER LEAVING CLASS. AFTER BEING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTS TO POWER DOWN. ALL OF THE CAUTION LIGHTS START TO COME ON (IE: BATTERY LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND MANY OTHERS). AS I GET OFF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR STARTS TO LOSE MORE POWER, THE FUEL ACCELERATION DID NOT WORK AS WELL AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD BECAUSE SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THEN AS I START TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CLOSED HOOD. I PUT THE CAR IN PAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,385 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10411128 · 2011-07-01 (July 1, 2011)
THIS CONCERNS THE PLASTIC SAFETY BUMPER ON MY MAZDA AND PLASTIC BUMPERS IN GENERAL. MINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IN DANGER OF BREAKING OFF. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I HAVE A MAZDA6 TOURING PLUS WHICH IS TEN MONTHS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. MY BUMPER BEGAN CRACKING TWO MONTHS AGO. THE RIP WENT FROM THE TOP OF THE BUMPER TO THE BOTTOM. IN TIME, THE RIP HAS EXPANDED TO A FOURTH OF A BUMPER. I AM USING SHIPPING TAPE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. SHIPPING TAPE! THE BUMPER IS SO BRITTLE, IT'S USELESS AS A SAFETY BUMPER. I GET NO SATISFA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10411128 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V134000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2011-02-25 (February 25, 2011)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V425000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2013-09-24 (September 24, 2013)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)
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.
Consequence: Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line. If a web was found in the line, the fuel tank and check valve on canister vent line will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number associated with this campaign is 7214C.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V594000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Air Bags
Reported: 2016-08-11 (August 11, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V429000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-06-29 (June 29, 2017)
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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)
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, 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V631000 · Structure | Suspension:Front:Control Arm
Reported: 2018-09-14 (September 14, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V717000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-10-12 (October 12, 2018)
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V782000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-31 (October 31, 2019)
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗