Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Mazda Mazda6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
* Drivers side (worst) and passenger side rear lower control arm. Both are available for inspection upon request. * The drivers side rear lower control arm rusted through and cracked near the point where it connects to the rear subframe. The right lower control arm did not yet visibly crack (it's still on the vehicle), but it is also severely rusted. If driven and either completely separated, loss of control as well as flying debris on the road would have been nearly certain. * I cannot drive the car to a dealer or service center. The problem is visibly obvious and online owners forums anecdotally indicate the problem is widespread. * The component is available for inspection. I have shown my mechanic and intend to take to a dealer. Because there was no accident or injury, thankfully, I have no cause for engaging police or insurance. * There was no warning/indicator in the vehicle. …
I bought a used car with 2 dashboard light tmps & engine the dealer give me extra warranty but never been repair furthermore I find out by myself a recall for the outer door handles after the door open while I driving in the express way this happened to my youngest daughter; and in other 2 incidents the car do not respond with the appropriate speed causing me a big chance of accident afterwards it is happened again so due to other several mechanic problems and for security I have to decided to return the car now I have no money no car and a big problem I am having hardly time tried to summit my concerns because I think the dealers are responsible for sale security cars before the sale but apparently the laws are in the dealers side as a consumer I hope maybe some one can see how this irresponsible dealers play with the consumers safety. …
In August 6th, 2018, I was driving back from work with my 4y old son in quebec city at 50 km/h. When I want to stop at the red-light I sensed a significant loss of steering control to the right and I was completely shocked because I was just about to hit a cyclist. And my son was frustrated too. Luckily nothing bad happened. But from there I wasn't able to drive correctly, I held the steering wheel to 60 degrees to the left while going at 25 km/h to be able to drive straight and get back to my home. The following day I drove my car to the nearest garage, and to my surprise, the guy told me that the subframe at the right near to the wheel is completely corroded and the steering rack was separated from its mounts causing the steering loss. …
Car suddenly veered right on the highway and scraped both fenders and the mirror against a cement barricade. Steering has been unpredictable. While elevated on jack stands with both front wheels hanging, crouched facing the right passenger side tire, the tire can be gripped with the left hand on the rear facing tread and right hand on the front facing tire tread, then moved in and out with large amounts of play, wobble, and clunking noises. There is also a large amount of noise and clunking coming from the area where the streering " linkage" ( term?) connects to the hydraulic rack when the front of the car is on jackstands and the steering wheel is moved to both extremities. The hydraulic steering rack appears to flex left and right when the car is on the ground in the normal driving position and the steering wheel is moved to both extremities. …
2 valve stems from the TPMS sensors are leaking air. That provoked an instant loss of total air pressure in the tires !!!! This is extremely dangerous if it happens on the interstate at high speeds. It seems Mazda has a service bulletin sb-02-001-12 but not a recall at this time (March 4 2015) from 4 TPMS sensors on the 2009 Mazda 6, two (2) of them failed one day after another. Both sensors failed at the valve stem. Had to replace all 4 sensors due to being afraid this sudden loss of air pressure could happened at 60 miles/h on the interstate. The manufacturer of the TPMS sensors is continental and they already have a different part # for the sensor (continental vdi redi-sensor se10001hp-az). Also Mazda has a different part # for the new sensors: bbm2-37-140b. I was surprised how Mazda didn't issue a recall by now. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and pulled to the right. In addition, the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the wheel rim was tilted outwards, striking the fender well. Also, the a arm was detached and the frame was corroded. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that a new subframe would be needed. The contact called paul miller Ford at [phone] (located at 975 e new circle rd, lexington, ky 40505), but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mazda 6. While the contact was placing air into the front driver's side tire, he found that the valve stem was corroded and fractured. In addition, the low tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to dean patterson Chevrolet Cadillac (101 pleasant valley blvd, altoona, pa 16602, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the sensor and valve stem needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 104,000.
This car was bought used. After suspension inspection I found out that the front subframe is extremely rusty and immediate replacement is necessary. According to the body condition there were no any incidents which May affected the subframe condition. Further driving with this is dangerous.
Tire pressure sensor failed while traveling down highway, when finally able to pull over tire was completely flat and ruined, valve stem fell apart in hand while trying to remove valve stem cap, this is the 3rd occurrence while owning this vehicle, very lucky this time that it was a back tire and not a front. Each time that I have complained to dealership, I am told that the tire shops that are replacing my tires don't know what they are doing of which I disagree. I have seen many forums regarding this issue with Mazda 3's and 6's, each time being told the tire shops don't know what they are doing. Mazda needs to step up and acknowledge a poor design, come up with a better one and recall these bad tire sensor valves before someone is seriously injured or killed.
While driving at 55 MPH, the low pressure warning light came on. I attempted to get to a safe place to check my tire but the tire went flat too quickly. I had to change the tire on the road. The tire pressure monitoring device had failed and fallen inside the tire resulting in a rapid pressure drop. Corrosion had caused the nut to break apart and fall off. Within 6 months the same thing happened on a different tire. Driving at 55 MPH, the warning light came on and I immediately pulled over to watch my tire rapidly going flat - all within about 20 seconds. I changed my tire on a very busy highway. I was lucky that this did not happen on a multi-lane thruway. This is a very serious safety hazard - the mandated safety device is the cause of the hazard.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Mazda6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2009 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2009 Mazda Mazda6, 6% of the model year's 386 complaints. The component named most often is valve (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Mazda Mazda6 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2009 Mazda Mazda6, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Mazda Mazda6 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 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.