IllustrationVEHICLE 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.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA6 years →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
30–25K
1525–50K
1450–75K
875–100K
8100–150K
4150K+
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
20 reportsDASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STICKY AND CHUNKS FALLING OFF AS IF IT HAS MELTED.
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…
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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
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND SEEMS TO BE MELTING AND RIPPED AS I WAS CLEANING THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE(I HAD MY KEYS IN MY HAND AND SCRAPED IT AS I WAS CLEANING THEN LIFTER MY KEYS AND DROPPED THEM AND A CHUNK CAME OFF) ALSO HAS COTTON PIECES STICKING TO IT CAUSE IT'S SO STICKY.
ON SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017, WHILE DRIVING IN ARIZONA ON I-10 EASTBOUND NEAR THE CHANDLER EXIT OF WARNER. MY WIFE AND I HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE GLASS BREAKING, WE LOOKED AROUND THE CAR TO SEE WHICH PASSENGER WINDOW MAY HAVE BROKEN AND REALIZED NONE HAD. UPON REACHING OUR HOME AND EXITING THE VEHICLE WE LEARNED THAT THE SUNROOF HA…
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ON SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017, WHILE DRIVING IN ARIZONA ON I-10 EASTBOUND NEAR THE CHANDLER EXIT OF WARNER. MY WIFE AND I HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE GLASS BREAKING, WE LOOKED AROUND THE CAR TO SEE WHICH PASSENGER WINDOW MAY HAVE BROKEN AND REALIZED NONE HAD. UPON REACHING OUR HOME AND EXITING THE VEHICLE WE LEARNED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. LUCKILY FOR US I HAD THE SHIELD CLOSED SO NO GLASS WAS SPRAYED ON US. LIKE SEVERAL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OVER THE PAST YEARS, WE WERE NOT NEAR AN OVERPASS, ANOTHER CAR AND IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAPPENED FROM INSIDE OUT.
THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING TODAY.
THE DASHBOARDS AND OTHER INTERIOR PANELS IS DEFECTIVE IT HAS MELTED AND FEELS LIKE FOAM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS STICKY BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE DASHBOARD TURNS BLACK AND STICKY AND MAY BE RUINED. THE MELTED DASHBOARDS CAN CAST DANGEROUS GLARES ACROSS THE WINDSHI…
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THE DASHBOARDS AND OTHER INTERIOR PANELS IS DEFECTIVE IT HAS MELTED AND FEELS LIKE FOAM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS STICKY BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE DASHBOARD TURNS BLACK AND STICKY AND MAY BE RUINED. THE MELTED DASHBOARDS CAN CAST DANGEROUS GLARES ACROSS THE WINDSHIELDS, INHIBITING THEIR VISION AND POSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL AS A FEAR THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY ON THAT SIDE. .
WHEN THE CAR STANDS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IT MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WITHIN SECONDS AFTER START. I HAVE SPENT THREE YEARS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES. FIRST ITS THIS THEN THAT BUT REMAINS UNFIXED. ON THE INTERNET YOU CAN SEE COMPLAINTS STARTING WITH 2009. I TRIED TO TALK TO MAZDA BUT THEY TELL ME ITS…
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WHEN THE CAR STANDS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IT MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WITHIN SECONDS AFTER START. I HAVE SPENT THREE YEARS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES. FIRST ITS THIS THEN THAT BUT REMAINS UNFIXED. ON THE INTERNET YOU CAN SEE COMPLAINTS STARTING WITH 2009. I TRIED TO TALK TO MAZDA BUT THEY TELL ME ITS A DEALER PROBLEM. I WOULDN'T TRY TO TALK TO THEM IF THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE MANAGER ITS IN MOST OF THE 6 MODEL. THE MAZDA FIXES HAVEN'T WORKED. IF I COULD AFFORD A LAWSUIT I WOULD HAVE BY NOW. I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE DEAD SO THAT'S WHAT IT WAS. I WOULD GET RID OF THE CAR BUT I STILL OWE TO MUCH. CAR IS STATIONARY. THEY BLAME THE AIR CONDITIONER LAST. MY CAR HAS ONLY 7000 MILES ON IT.
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND SHINY
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD OF MY 2012 MAZDA 6 WAS BECOMING STICKY AND LOOKED AS IF IT WERE MELTING. IT ALSO BEGAN TO EMIT A SMELL AND CRACKS BEGAN TO DEVELOP WHILE BECOMING MORE REFLECTIVE THAN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHICH REMAINS NORMAL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN GOOD CONDITION FROM A DEALERSHIP.…
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OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD OF MY 2012 MAZDA 6 WAS BECOMING STICKY AND LOOKED AS IF IT WERE MELTING. IT ALSO BEGAN TO EMIT A SMELL AND CRACKS BEGAN TO DEVELOP WHILE BECOMING MORE REFLECTIVE THAN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHICH REMAINS NORMAL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN GOOD CONDITION FROM A DEALERSHIP. AFTER NOTIFYING THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALERSHIP THEY STATED NO RECALLS HAD BEEN MADE AND MY BEST HOPES FOR A SOLUTION WAS TO HAVE THEM INSPECT AND PHOTOGRAPH THE CAR'S DASHBOARD AND HOPE THAT MAZDA MAY GIVE ME SOME CREDIT TOWARD REPLACING THE IT. THOUGH I WILL TAKE MY MAZDA 6 TO A DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION, I WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THIS RESPONSE AND LEARNED THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT DESCRIBING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM MY MAZDA 6 IS EXPERIENCING WITH THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE?
Official recalls
619V782000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.