Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Mazda Mazda6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6 . The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph and drove over a bump and lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated the disc off warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact was towed to her residence and then to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with the rear structure was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The contact stated that the dealership deemed the vehicle unsafe to bring to the shop and therefore did not perform the necessary repairs in the recall. The dealer notified the contact about that as well as the manufacturer. …
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the steering wheel was pulling without warning. There was rust on the frame. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. Mechanic noted that Mazda's recall repair only served to keep the car from splitting apart, but it in no way resolved the control arm issue. As a result my car was unexpectedly swerving all over the road and was difficult to control. It was with the control arm still somewhat attached, though extremely loose. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign number 18V631000 (Suspension, structure). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 151,000. …
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the rear main sub frame was completely rusted. There was a crack detected in the middle of the sub frame. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear sub frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that it was normal wear and tear, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she lost control of the vehicle. The failure caused the passenger's side rear tire to rub on the fender while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger's side rear subframe was severely corroded and had fractured in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently veered to the left. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine cradle had failed and was severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear cross members and brakes needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact to not drive the vehicle until the repairs were performed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the brakes; however, the rear cross members were not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear frame detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure) and the contact related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the dashboard on the passenger's side of the vehicle was melted, causing a glare on the windshield which obstructed the view of the contact while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Passenger side dash started melting about a year ago and has gotten so bad the dash is almost liquid. Sunlight reflects off the shiny melted dash and blinds the driver. I was in an accident because I couldn't see due to light reflecting off melted dash. Dash is so sticky that you cannot touch or it will stick to hands/ clothing. I have ruined multiple items of clothing due to this mess.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mazda 6. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion on the vehicle. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V631000 (suspension, structure). The vehicle was taken to mcdonald Mazda (10345 w colfax ave, lakewood, co 80215, [phone]) where the cross member was inspected, but they refused to install a side member (for reinforcement). The dealer also had not replaced the air conditioner drain hose and no rust proofing was applied to the cross member. The vehicle was not repaired due to non-compliance of the dealer and the manufacturer. The vehicle was not being driven. The approximate failure mileage was 103,981. Consumer stated upon seeing the underside of the vehicle I immediatedly noticed corrosion covering large portions of the cross member. …
Related recalls
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…
Body complaints in other Mazda6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2010 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the body & structure of the 2010 Mazda Mazda6, 27% of the model year's 225 complaints. The component named most often is body (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Mazda Mazda6 body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-631 (structure, Sep 14, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda Mazda6 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.