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2012 Mazda MAZDA6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 105.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

52 reports with mileage · 47 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
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149,000 miles · May 29, 2020
Electrical System

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 TH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11326448

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2019
Electrical System

BOTH HEADLIGHTS ON VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11266444

96,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DOOR OPEN ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE DOORS; HOWEVER, ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENNESSY MAZDA (7261 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DOOR OPEN ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK THE DOORS; HOWEVER, ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENNESSY MAZDA (7261 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #11231888

120,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BURN OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS TWICE ON EACH SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE AREA WAS MELTING AROUND THE FRONT HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY SOCKETS. RUSS DARROW MAZDA OF MADISON (5234 HIGH CRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BURN OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS TWICE ON EACH SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE AREA WAS MELTING AROUND THE FRONT HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY SOCKETS. RUSS DARROW MAZDA OF MADISON (5234 HIGH CROSSING BLVD, MADISON, WI 53718, (877) 369-8081) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11156611

109,000 miles · Nov 10, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS NORMAL TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS CUTOUT AND OFF OUT OF NOWHERE MELTING WIRES CAUSING LIGHT OUTAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11150668

88,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE OR WARNING LIGHT. MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIX. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING IN SUMMER WEATHER, NO RAIN, NO UNUSUAL CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11124386

73,500 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 2012 MAZDA 6 WHICH NOW HAS APPROX. 72,000 MILES. THE FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM AT NIGHT. LUCKILY MY HIGH BEAMS STAYED FUNCTIONAL. AFTER PULLING OVER TO CHECK OUT THE ISSUE I HIT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSY (OUT OF FRUSTRATION) AND THE LOW BEAM LIGHT CAME ON. I DID THE SAME T…

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I OWN A 2012 MAZDA 6 WHICH NOW HAS APPROX. 72,000 MILES. THE FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM AT NIGHT. LUCKILY MY HIGH BEAMS STAYED FUNCTIONAL. AFTER PULLING OVER TO CHECK OUT THE ISSUE I HIT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSY (OUT OF FRUSTRATION) AND THE LOW BEAM LIGHT CAME ON. I DID THE SAME TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THAT LIGHT CAME ON TOO. AS SOON AS I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MAZDA HEADLIGHTS. THIS PRESENTS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT TIME AND A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY HAVE PANICKED WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ALSO DRIVES THIS CAR BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THEM DRIVING AT NIGHT NOW. NOT TO MENTION, THIS CAR IS DUE FOR IT'S YEARLY INSPECTION AND IT WON'T PASS BECAUSE THE LOW BEAMS ARE OUT. I DOUBT THE MECHANIC WILL LET ME HIT THE LIGHTS TO MAKE THEM COME ON FOR THE INSPECTION. ESPECIALLY TO HAVE THEM GO OUT AGAIN AS SOON AS I HIT A BUMP OR TURN THE LIGHTS OFF. AS OF 10-26-15, BOTH OF MY LOW BEAMS ARE OUT AND NOW ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE WILL COME ON WITH A BUMP TO THE LIGHT. WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL??? I HOPE NOBODY GETS HURT IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE THEY'RE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THEN THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OUT. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE MOST ROADS DO NOT HAVE STREET LIGHTS, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DEER AND OTHER ANIMALS CROSSING THE ROAD AT NIGHT. PLEASE HELP US IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH MAZDA BEFORE SOMEONE'S CHILD GETS HURT OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE PROMPTLY. IN ADDITION TO THIS BEING A SAFETY CONCERN, I'M NOW BEING FORCED TO DRIVE AN UN INSPECTED VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WON'T PASS THE STATE INSPECTION WITHOUT LOWBEAMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10786172

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2015
Electrical System

HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. I CONTINUE TO CHANGE THE BULBS BUT TODAY FOUND THAT ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS THAT POWERS FRONT LIGHTS HAS MELTED AND LOST ALL OF ITS INSULATION. THERE ARE ONLY BARE WIRES RUNNING INTO CONNECTOR FOR HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10749178

30,000 miles · Aug 8, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAMS FAILED ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS WITH IN FIRST YEAR, ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE BULB SEVERAL TIMES, FINALLY REPLACED ENTIRE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES, WITH IN FIRST 2 MONTHS LOW BEAMS HAVE FAILED AGAIN. ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE BULB ARE STILL NOT EFFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10747151

48,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD TO PULL OVER AND BUMP THE HEADLIGHTS TO MAKE THEM WORK. CHECKED THE FUSE AND ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AT AUTOSHOP. THEY FOUND NOTHING, BUT SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS IN MAZDA 6 CARS BEFORE AND THERE IS A FAULT IN THE DESIGN NOR IS THERE ANY SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. ISSUE CAN BE SEEN …

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HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD TO PULL OVER AND BUMP THE HEADLIGHTS TO MAKE THEM WORK. CHECKED THE FUSE AND ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AT AUTOSHOP. THEY FOUND NOTHING, BUT SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS IN MAZDA 6 CARS BEFORE AND THERE IS A FAULT IN THE DESIGN NOR IS THERE ANY SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. ISSUE CAN BE SEEN IN THE VIDEO: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UQQPERRESA8

NHTSA ODI #10734388

Official recalls

6

19V782000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

19V323000 · Structure; Suspension:front:control Arm

Apr 25, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

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 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

18V717000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

17V457000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jul 18, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

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 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.

14V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Mar 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 & remedy

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.

13V425000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.