Most common 2009 Mazda Mazda6 problems
Share of the 386 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazda6 complaints by model year
Best Mazda6 years: 2019, 2013, 2021. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2014, 2003. Compare all years →
2009 Mazda Mazda6 recalls (9)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Structure
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,…
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…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
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.
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.
Show 3 more recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2009 Mazda Mazda6:
Front Subframe Corrosion
In a letter dated September 14, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a defect in the front subframe assemblies of model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Mazda6 vehicles in certain states with high road salt use in winter months (Recall 18V-631).
Door Latch Failures Due to Loose Screws
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on reports that the doors were failing to properly latch on model year (MY) 2009 Mazda6 vehicles.Complainants alleged that the door would fail to latch, or would not properly latch.
What 2009 Mazda Mazda6 owners say
Body & structure all 123 →
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the front of the vehicle while turning, also while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered corrosion and a hole on the front passenger's side suspension cross member. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who confirmed the diagnosis and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,600.
"What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?" - Rear subframe. Total rust through due to improper steel alloy and insufficient paint. Same as happened for the front subframe. Front subframe was recalled as 2818I (Mazda's number) and 19V-323, 18V-631 (NHTSA numbers). NHTSA should also mandate rear subframe be recalled. "How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?" - Total catastrophic structural failure of rear suspension. Would result in a total loss of control while driving. This would likely lead to a severe, possibly fatal accident at-speed. "Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?" - As reported by independent service center. …
Suspension all 76 →
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the front of the vehicle while turning, also while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered corrosion and a hole on the front passenger's side suspension cross member. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who confirmed the diagnosis and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,600.
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 this car and so many people have complained to no avail.
Air bags all 75 →
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V594000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
My car had a air bag recal and a subframe and other misc recalls so I contacted the dealership near me which was In Springfield Mo and set a apt and had it replaced then got a call the next day saying they wuld meet me half way with a loaner car which was in Mansfield mo for the subframe replacement and they have had it for over a month and they called and told me it was ready for pick up 6/21/21 and I drove up there Wed to pick it up and it wuldnt start wuldnt do nothing dead battery. Dealership then hooked up a jump box the gauges started jumping all back and fourth like something was shorted or a short some were got it started and the min the jump box turned off the it killed all power the car shut completly off to nothing. …
2009 Mazda Mazda6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 a good car?
Based on 386 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Mazda6 rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Mazda6 at the same age. It is one of the Mazda6 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mazda Mazda6?
The body & structure — 123 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (76) and air bags (75).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 have?
There are 9 recalls for the 2009 Mazda Mazda6, the most recent from October 31, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazda6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2013 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2003. See the full Mazda Mazda6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Mazda Mazda6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.