2011 Mazda Mazda6 problems
The 2011 Mazda Mazda6 has 134 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2011 Mazda Mazda6 has 134 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is suspension at 38 complaints, typically surfacing around 133,813 miles (~$900 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Mazda6 | 111 | 2 |
| 2009 Mazda6 | 386 | 1 |
| 2010 Mazda6 | 225 | 3 |
| 2011 Mazda6 (this page) | 134 | 0 |
| 2012 Mazda6 | 99 | 1 |
| 2013 Mazda6 | 22 | 2 |
| 2014 Mazda6 | 137 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Suspension: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 100,000–150,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Mazda Mazda6 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Mazda Mazda6? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- suspension — 38 owner reports · tends to show around 133,813 mi · ~$900 to fix
- airbags — 28 owner reports · tends to show around 102,327 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 105,881 mi · ~$700 to fix
- body — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 97,529 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 133,813 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is body (~$1,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 Mazda Mazda6
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mazda 6. The contact received a recall notification in october of 2016 for NHTSA campaign number: 16v593000 (suspension). The dealer (continental Mazda of naperville, 2363 aurora ave, naperville, il 60540) stated that the parts were unavailable for…
Was driving on interstate at 70mph and applied breaks, heard a bang from area of passenger front side and lost control of the steering of the vehicle causing it swerve into the adjacent lane on my right. I narrowly avoided being hitting and being hit by other vehicles and was…
Turning onto a road, heard a loud thud from the front passenger corner. Car steering became highly erratic. Parked the car, noticed the front passenger wheel was crooked. Took it to the nearest shop and they said the crossmember was rusted completely through and snapped, causing…
Noticed the left rear tire suddenly had a lot of negative camber and there were now clunking sounds while driving. Inspection showed that the rear crossmember is severely rusted with holes, cracks, and delamination. The left toe link mount is completely separated, the coil…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
The 2011 Mazda Mazda6 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Suspension: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 100,000–150,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 38 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 133,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Mazda Mazda6 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 134 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 133,813 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 38 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 133,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 133,813 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda Mazda6 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Mazda Mazda6?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 134 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.