Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 17% | 105,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 5% | 32,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% | 88,000 miles |
| 2011 | 16 | 12% | 101,000 miles |
| 2010 | 29 | 13% | 114,000 miles |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% | 125,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% | 33,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% | 115,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% | 128,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% | 25,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was on freeway when some warning start showing on dashboard ( enging, track control system, battery) then my steering wheel was hard that I couldn't manubrio i hit a curb that was on the entrance and my car start spinning in circles till i hit the hill on side road.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Mazda m6. The contact stated that while driving about 20 MPH in the snow, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle lost all powers as the steering failed. The vehicle slide and rear-end the vehicle in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The passenger side door air bag was the only air bag that deployed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after the incident. The contact also stated that the parking brake was engaged and failed to disengage. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a lower back and neck injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss however, the contact has retained the vehicle. The contact called continental (4800 old seward highway, anchorage, ak 99503) and was told that there was no recall. …
This car has had many random computer problems starting with transmission locking in low gear until you stop the car and restart. Car shuts off displaying automatic stop break got very hard and steering very hard. My daughter had an accident last week 2/2/17 due to vehicle loss of power hard breaking and steering. Called Mazda with no response.
While driving my 2015 Mazda 6 gt, with 40,0000 miles on it, on a main local road, with a max speed limit requirement of 45 MPH, I attempted to turn into the right turn lane at a speed of approx 35 MPH, while lightly depressing the brake. As I began to turn, the steering just locked up, and the power steering stopped working. A few dashboard lights also came on at the same time.. One said power steering malfunction, the other was a red hazard symbol, and I don't specifically recall the other. I finally shut the car off after a few minutes. When I restarted the car, after several seconds the wheel regained mobility and the dashboard lights went off. I carefully and slowly drove my car home, aprrox 2 miles from where it happened. I haven't driven the car since, due to fear of it happening again. I was almost rear ended twice when it happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while making a left turn 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the ABS warning light illuminated. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb and a light post. The contact sustained a neck, a back, and a nerve damage in the elbow that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
My 2014 Mazda 6 has 68000 miles. Within the last few weeks while driving going 55 around corners, has had a "power steering malfunction" light pop up and the steering totally locks up for a few seconds causing me to nearly hit multiple cars. I believe my issue has to do with something electrical that I had checked on my car at 34000 miles right before the warranty was up. My car has a radar that performs for radar cruise control and Smart city braking, I got many messages saying that the radar isn't working and that it needs inspections. I brought it in at 34000 miles and they reset something so the car wouldn't show the message and told me it was fixed, I then started doing this after the warranty ended and I figured it wasn't a safety issue so I didn't fight it. …
I was driving down the road when my steering, suddenly and with out warning began pulling very hard to the right and the steering wheel began turning to the left. My car made loud noises when I tried to straighten out the steering wheel and when I tried to turn. Its also appeared to be rubbing on the inside of the wheel well. Further inspection revealed that the support where the control arm is connected to the frame had torn away from the frame due to oxidation. There is significant oxidation on the frame and there are large areas that no longer appear to be solid.
Vehicle randomly shuts off on the highway with no known cause or warning light. Mazda service department could not fix. This has happened 3 times now. Vehicle was driving in summer weather, no rain, no unusual conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda6 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (36), 2010 (29), 2011 (16), 2014 (9) and 2007 (8) model years. Steering complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda6 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Mazda Mazda6 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda6 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (3 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (1).
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.