2012 Mazda MAZDA6 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6, most often about suspension. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
19
Recalls
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
168,500 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Suspension is the most-reported problem area, named in 8 of 19 complaints (42%).
  • Body & Structure (5) and airbags (2) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 168,500 mi.
  • The 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 has 6 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
  • It ranks 8th of 17 Mazda MAZDA6 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 67% fewer complaints than the 2011 model year (57).

2012 Mazda MAZDA6 problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    9 complaints
  • Suspension
    8 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    5 complaints
  • Airbags
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Electrical System
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other9
Suspension8
Structure3
Steering2
Air bags2
Structure:body2
Exterior lighting1
Electrical system1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k2100k–150k2150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 complaints that list mileage.

2012 Mazda MAZDA6 recalls (6)

  • Recall 19V782000Oct 31, 201969,879 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 19V323000Apr 25, 201951,118 vehicles
    STRUCTURE · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

    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.

    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.

    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 June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.

  • Recall 18V717000Oct 12, 2018155,436 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 17V457000Jul 18, 201779,402 vehiclesDo not drive
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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 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. 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 rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: 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 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.

  • Recall 14V114000Mar 11, 201442,000 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V425000Sep 24, 2013161,400 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

    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.

    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.

    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.

Recent 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jan 19, 2026NEOther / Unknown
    Passenger dash has cracked some and dash is very very sticky..why has this happened..I feel if airbag had to deploy it would not because of this situation
    NHTSA complaint #11711883 · source
  2. Filed Jan 12, 2026NJOther / UnknownSuspension
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11710529 · source
  3. Filed Nov 7, 2025188,000 miCTTowedBody & StructureSuspension
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11698215 · source
  4. Filed Jul 30, 2024204,000 miWIBody & StructureSuspension
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11605371 · source
  5. Filed Jul 18, 2024OHSuspension
    Front subframe completely rusted out causing loss of steering. I believe this should have been covered by Safety Recall 2818I which addresses the issue. Mazda inspected and said because the recall was performed in 2019 on this car, there is nothing more they can do, once and done. Unfortunately their fix didn't take care of the issue.
    NHTSA complaint #11603117 · source
  6. Filed Jun 10, 2024MNBody & Structure
    My 2012 mazda 6 Subframe is is unsafe to drive due to over-time corrosion My local mechanics said Madzda Corp. should fix it.
    NHTSA complaint #11593397 · source
  7. Filed May 15, 2024NYSuspension
    Rear sub frame, critical fail- rusted through. Needs new rear subframe. Wheel pulling to right, unable to align. I bought this car 2 weeks ago for my 16 year old daughter and was told today it needs to be scrapped. She is devastated . We are out 4500 with no recourse. I bought a Mazda because I trusted the safety. I am so disappointed. If the front was recalled the rear should have been too.
    NHTSA complaint #11588995 · source
  8. Filed Jan 6, 2024TXAirbagsOther / Unknown
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11563908 · source

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Other 2012 Mazda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology