VehicleVerdict

2009 Mazda Mazda6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 527 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.2 times the median Mazda6 year — the 2009 model ranks #1 of 20 Mazda6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (124), airbags (75), and suspension (75), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

527

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

2

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Mazda6 years?

See all Mazda6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Mazda Mazda6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure12424%
Airbags7514%
Suspension7514%
Other5811%
Electrical System387%
Steering377%
Tires & Wheels306%
Visibility & Wipers173%
Engine163%
Lighting153%
Fuel System112%
Latches & Locks102%
Brakes92%
Transmission71%
Speed Control20%
Seats20%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V782000AirbagsOctober 31, 2019 · 69,879 units

Defect

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

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.

18V631000Body & StructureSeptember 14, 2018 · 50,176 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. 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 March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I.

18V018000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 70,227 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and 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 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 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 covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and 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

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 March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

17V457000AirbagsJuly 18, 2017 · 79,402 units

Defect

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

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.

17V429000AirbagsJune 29, 2017 · 205,377 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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 passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 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 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

16V594000AirbagsAugust 11, 2016 · 41,918 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, to December 3, 2009. The protective coating may not have been properly applied to the air bag control unit (ACU) and, as a result, moisture may damage the unit causing it to malfunction.

Consequence

Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816H.

13V425000Latches & LocksSeptember 24, 2013 · 161,400 units

Defect

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

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.

11V134000Fuel SystemFebruary 25, 2011 · 52,000 units

Defect

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 MAZDA6 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 8, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, 2010. A CERTAIN TYPE OF SPIDER MAY WEAVE A WEB IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER VENT LINE AND THIS MAY CAUSE A RESTRICTION IN THE LINE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY NEGATIVE WHEN THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WORKS TO PURGE THE VAPORS FROM THE CANISTER.

Consequence

AS THE CANISTER IS PURGED REPEATEDLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE STRESS ON THE FUEL TANK MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A CRACK, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE AD AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CLEAN UP THE CANISTER VENT LINE, AND INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SPIDER FROM ENTERING THE VENT LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

09E011000OtherApril 2, 2009 · 2,323 units

Defect

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

09V043000Body & StructureFebruary 4, 2009 · 29,000 units

Defect

MAZDA IS RECALLING 29,000 MY 2009 MAZDA6. THE OUTER DOOR HANDLES MAY STICK WHICH MAY PREVENT THE DOOR FROM LATCHING. THIS SITUATION MAY ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Consequence

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOOR UNLATCHED COULD LEAD TO AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED AND COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DOOR HANDLES AND IF NECESSARY REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HANDLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE SUBFRAME OF MY 2009 MAZDA6 COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN DURING NORMAL USE. ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 2ND, A MAZDA DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY ROTORS, PADS, AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS PULLING TO ONE SIDE SO THEY CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT. DURING THIS TIME THEY IDENTIFIED A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 3, 2018 · crash

TAKATA RECALL- MY MAZDA MAZDA6 -2009 VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT ON IN JANUARY 2015. I WAS INJURED WITH BURNS IN MY WRIST FROM THE AIRBAG. I ALSO HAD TO GO THROUGH PT TO REGAIN MOVEMENT TO MY INJURED WRIST. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND ANOTHER CAR CUT OUT IN FRONT OF US AND HIT MY CAR. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 16, 2015 · crash

Both my back and front chassis are completely rusted through and it’s a complete screwed car. Looking online there is a recall on something like this but not for my model? All I see online is people talking about how they had to scrap their cars because of this issue. The salt and snow has ruined…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 9, 2024 · crash

THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT A FEW MONTHS AGO, AROUND MAY. NOW THE DASHBOARD IS PERMANENTLY STICKY AND THERE IS A SMELL ARISING. IN ADDITION, DASHBOARD CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH AFFECTS THE VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. IF YOU PLACE SOMETHING ON IT, THERE IS A BLACK RESIDUE THAT COMES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 4, 2015

THE PRESSURE OR HEAT COMING FROM MUFFLER BURNT BACK PART OF VEHICULAR I AM PAYING 1400.00 IN WIRE REPAIRS. AIR BAGS RECALL, SCARS ME DON'T HAVE ANOTHER CAR.THE PASSENGER DOOR AIR NOISE ESCAPING,MELTING DASH BOARD, ALARM SYSTEM GOES OF EVERYDAY UP TO 3TO 4 TIMES. TIRE PRESSURE, AND ENGINE LIGHT ON.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 20, 2015 · fire

2009 Mazda Mazda6 — common questions

Is the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 527 complaints put the 2009 model at #1 of 20 Mazda6 years. It is one of the Mazda6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Mazda6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (124 complaints), airbags (75 complaints), suspension (75 complaints).

Does the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Mazda Mazda6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda Mazda6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mazda6 years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2004, 2007, 2005, 2008. The cleanest record among Mazda6 years belongs to 2020.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.