NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Mazda MAZDA6 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 100 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2012 Mazda MAZDA6 owner complaints

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6, describing incidents dated July 20, 2011 to October 29, 2026.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 30 complaints
Exterior Lighting 28 complaints
Unknown or Other 20 complaints
Electrical System 12 complaints
Structure 12 complaints
Suspension 9 complaints

Of the 100 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 100 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11774673 · Filed October 30, 2026
i went to a mechanic to diagnose a clunk and rattle at freeway speeds. i was told a huge piece of metal was loose over a rotted out subframe. i told the mechanic there was a recall for a brace or bracket passenger side of the subframe. but no open recall was showing. he stated i hope this is not the…
ODI #11711883 · Filed January 19, 2026
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
ODI #11710529 · Filed January 12, 2026
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…

Read all 100 complaints

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V782000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 69,879 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified December 3, 2019 · Vehicles built April 11, 2008 – April 16, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Road Salt Causing Corrosion of Cross Member

NHTSA #19V323000 · Structure · NHTSA notice

Reported April 25, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 51,118 vehicles

Repair completion: 48.27% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 2818I · Owners notified June 13, 2019 · Vehicles built July 20, 2010 – August 24, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #18V717000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported October 12, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 155,436 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified November 9, 2018 · Vehicles built June 22, 2009 – August 24, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V457000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 18, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 79,402 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1317F · Owners notified October 4, 2017 · Vehicles built May 17, 2011 – April 17, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Spiders may Block Fuel Tank Vent Line

NHTSA #14V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported March 11, 2014 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 42,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 51.43% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 7214C · Owners notified April 30, 2014 · Vehicles built September 14, 2009 – May 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Door Latch Mounting Screws may Loosen

NHTSA #13V425000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported September 24, 2013 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 161,400 vehicles

Repair completion: 58.25% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 7013I · Owners notified October 29, 2013 · Vehicles built February 4, 2008 – August 24, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2012 Mazda Mazda6 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Rollover

9% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

100 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6.

Suspension

ODI #11774673

Incident: October 29, 2026 · Filed: October 30, 2026

i went to a mechanic to diagnose a clunk and rattle at freeway speeds. i was told a huge piece of metal was loose over a rotted out subframe. i told the mechanic there was a recall for a brace or bracket passenger side of the subframe. but no open recall was showing. he stated i hope this is not the piece a Mazda dealer would provide to fix that. he said it is loose and cannot be reattached and that i need to contact Mazda. he is stating i need a new subframe and the car should have never been sold to me in that condition. and to no longer drive it since it is going to split apart

Unknown or Other

ODI #11711883

Incident: August 9, 2023 · Filed: January 19, 2026

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

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11710529

Incident: December 29, 2025 · Filed: January 12, 2026

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 the car is recalled and the same problem happens with the rear of the car shouldn't it be covered for something? I have an appointment coming up on the 21 of January which is ridiculous that I have to wait 3 weeks to have it looked at. . Thank you for your time. The only reason I found the problem with the car was a stick got stuck in the rusted out parts and when I took it out a bunch of rust fell on the ground.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11698215

Incident: September 2, 2024 · Filed: November 7, 2025

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 prior to the failure, the steering wheel had turned slightly to the right. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension), which included the VIN. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the VIN was included in a recall, and the contact was advised that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the dealer had not diagnosed vehicle in a month. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact to work with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11605371

Incident: July 23, 2024 · Filed: July 30, 2024

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 and front passenger’s side tires were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; and the diagnostic test determined that the cross member had corroded and caused the tire failure. The contact was then notified that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension) and that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was 204,000.

Suspension

ODI #11603117

Incident: July 12, 2024 · Filed: July 18, 2024

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.

Structure

ODI #11593397

Incident: June 3, 2024 · Filed: June 10, 2024

My 2012 mazda 6 Subframe is is unsafe to drive due to over-time corrosion My local mechanics said Madzda Corp. should fix it.

Suspension

ODI #11588995

Incident: May 15, 2024 · Filed: May 15, 2024

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11575655

Incident: February 28, 2024 · Filed: March 5, 2024

THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RUSTED IN LAYERS AND IS SPALLING OFF.

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11563908

Incident: January 6, 2024 · Filed: January 6, 2024

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.

Other Mazda MAZDA6 model years

Check your 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda MAZDA6 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mazda VIN