64 of the
2,937 complaints filed about the Mazda MAZDA6
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
64
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
9
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Got error message that said "Forward Smart City Brake Support Malfunction" slso fot "smart brake malfunction" while driving. The ac stopped, the car speedometer kept going from 50 to zero. The car died and couldn't open doors, windows. Lost steering while driving. We were able to get off road and restart and fine for 2 weeks. While at still light tonight, the car turned off. Windows were up, couldn't open door, emergency blinkers would not come on. This is very dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11753644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle exhibits dangerous electronic malfunctions. A licensed technician (MV-113255) has confirmed a sporadic unintended acceleration defect where the cruise control 'decrease' button causes the vehicle to increase speed. Additionally, the vehicle repeatedly enters 'Limp Mode' in active traffic, causing a violent jerk and a total loss of acceleration while displaying a 'Smart City Brake Support' (SCBS) failure on the dashboard. An independent inspection also documented gross mechanical neglect, including loose battery terminals and a loose transmission bellhousing bolt, which may contribute to these intermittent electrical/safety failures.
NHTSA complaint #11732963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car had a (SUA) Sudden Unintended Acceleration malfunction. No, the car was totaled and towed away. My safety was put at risk as I was slowly pulling into a parking spot, eased my foot onto the brake and this malfunction caused my car to involuntarily jolt into a rampant high speed. It jumped a curb and crashed into a tree. My brake was useless in stopping this runaway vehicle. The only thing that stopped it was that tree! The airbag deployed and I was badly bruised from the airbag. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians or other cars near mine. There were no warning lights or messages before, during or after the accident. It happened so quickly because the tree was only a few feet in front of my car.
NHTSA complaint #11619928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving, after a period of 10 - 20 minutes usually, of the adaptive cruise being on (not necessarily in use), the buttons on the steering wheel will re-map. That is, the + button for adjusting the cruise speed up by 1 mph increments will switch with the - button that adjusts the cruise speed down by 1 mph increments. This happens reliably... if I've driven the car with adaptive cruise on for more that 10 - 20 minutes, the buttons will re-map. + slows the car down or doesn't work at all (does nothing). - speeds the car up. Also, rarely, the cancel button will speed the car up. Often the cancel button will not work and the only way to disengage the adaptive cruise is to tap on the brake pedal. Less frequently--maybe about 1/3 - 1/2 of the time, the "off" button, which turns the adaptive cruise off entirely, will not work. Note, that this is not the "engage" or "enable" button. These are the buttons that just turn on and off the adaptive cruise and show that it is now ready to be set if on. I discussed this with the dealer. I believe it is a software problem, they cannot find a software problem as they patched the software in the car up to the latest version. They want to replace the steering wheel where the switches are. This is a $750 repair. (I'm not sure if it's the whole steering wheel or the switch cluster on the wheel.) I cannot afford it and I'm not convinced it will work. I believe they are just guessing at a solution. Nothing to my knowledge has ever spilled on the steering wheel to potentially damage the switchgear. Also, this, to me, does not explain how it always works correctly for the first 10 - 20 minutes of driving, then fails reliably after that. This problem has existed for over two years. Since the car has had about 100,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11590278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHENEVER I PUT GAS IN IT. MY CAR WON'T START UP OR CUT OFF WHENEVER I PUT GAS IN IT. I'VE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATION BECAUSE OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11351464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS BRAKING TO A STOP AFTER DECELLERATING, DRIVING ORIGINALLY ABOUT 45 MPH. TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD. MY CAR SLOWED BUT RESISTED STOPPING. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ENTIRELY ON THE BRAKE, AS I ONLY USE MY RIGHT FOOT TO OPERATE THE PEDALS. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING LIKE IT WAS ACCELLERATING. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV HIGHER IN INTENSITY. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, AND THE ENGINE REVVED MUCH HIGHER. I PUSHED THE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE POWER WINDOW EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE. THE STARTER ENGAGED, BUT THE CAR DID NOT START. I TRIED TWICE AGAIN AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I TRIED A FOURTH TIME AND IT REACTED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS ALMOST DEAD, SOME SOUND BUT NO MOVEMENT. I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO HAVE THE ATTENDING POLICE OFFICER PUSH IT OUT OF THE LANE OF TRAFFIC, AND WE NOTICED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. I DID NOT ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE MYSELF! MY HUSBAND ARRIVED, AND HE AND THE OFFICER WERE ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR HAD TO BE LOADED ONTO A ROLL-OFF WRECKER TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11343512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IT STAYS AT THE SAME SPEED OR IT SPEEDS UP ON ITS OWN. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BREAK SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP AND JUST KEEP GOING OR IT JERKS FORWARD WHEN I STOP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #11343015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2009 FROM MECHANIC 2 WEEKS AGO I RUN FOR 100MILES FOR TO AND FROM WORK ONLY.AFTER SUDDENLY AT LIGHT CAME SO I WENT TO CHECK NEAREST AUTO PARTS STORES WITH CODE READER FOR DIAGNOSTIC & HE SAID THERE MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER I AM ABLT TO START ENGINE BUT CAR WON'T DRIVE IN D MODE BUT R CAN WORK WITH JERK AND HORSE POWER GO UP TO 5000 UP. SO I AM GOING TO SEE WITH HAYES MAZDA IN KALAMAZOO. THEREFORE, PLEASE TAKE A SERIOUS ACTION OR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER
NHTSA complaint #11315967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERMITTENTLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DO NOT PERFORM THEIR PROPER FUNCTION. WHEN EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR: 1) CANCEL BUTTON FUNCTIONS AS THE MINUS (DECELERATE) BUTTON, 2) THE MINUS BUTTON FUNCTIONS AS THE PLUS (ACCELERATE) BUTTON, 3) THE PLUS BUTTON DOESN'T WORK, AND 4) THE OFF BUTTON DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT DOES NOT SHUTOFF THE CRUISE CONTROL MAIN POWER. THIS BEHAVIOR IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE CANCEL BUTTON ACTING AS THE MINUS BUTTON, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE WITH THE CANCEL BUTTON. IN ADDITION, HAVING THE MINUS BUTTON FUNCTION AS THE PLUS BUTTON COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR BEHAVES IN THE OPPOSITE MANNER AS EXPECTED. THE ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11190861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. LESTER RAINES MAZDA (5035 MACCORKLE AVE SW, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25309, (304) 768-1251) INFORMED THE CONTACT TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL TO RESET THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED BUT CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED DID IT CANCEL.
NHTSA complaint #11162009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REPEATED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL DROP TO A CRAWL WITH ERRATIC REVVING. DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESS WAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. WILL NOT START DO TO REVVING LOOP CAUSED BY THROTTLE BODY. MULTIPLE TSB HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES PLAGUE MANY CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA complaint #11161141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REPEATED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL DROP TO A CRAWL WITH ERRATIC REVVING. DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESS WAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. WILL NOT START DO TO REVVING LOOP CAUSED BY THROTTLE BODY. MULTIPLE TSB HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES PLAGUE MANY CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA complaint #11161141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERMITTENTLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DO NOT PERFORM THEIR PROPER FUNCTION. WHEN EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR: 1) CANCEL BUTTON FUNCTIONS AS THE MINUS (DECELERATE) BUTTON, 2) THE MINUS BUTTON FUNCTIONS AS THE PLUS (ACCELERATE) BUTTON, 3) THE PLUS BUTTON DOESN'T WORK, AND 4) THE OFF BUTTON DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT DOES NOT SHUTOFF THE CRUISE CONTROL MAIN POWER. THIS BEHAVIOR IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE WITH THE CANCEL BUTTON ACTING AS THE MINUS BUTTON, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE WITH THE CANCEL BUTTON. IN ADDITION, HAVING THE MINUS BUTTON FUNCTION AS THE PLUS BUTTON COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR BEHAVES IN THE OPPOSITE MANNER AS EXPECTED. THE ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM ON TWO SEPARATE VISITS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER 18 MONTHS. I'VE FOUND THAT HITTING THE EDGE OF THE STEERING WHEEL HARD WILL CLEAR THE PROBLEM - GENERALLY FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, BUT IT RETURNS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I'M REPORTING THE PROBLEM TO THE NHTSA BECAUSE AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS SHOWN SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED. NO ONE HAS POSTED A CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OR RESOLUTION. HERE IS A SEPARATE INCIDENT SIMILAR TO MINE FROM A MAZADA 6 FORUM: HTTP://FORUM.MAZDA6CLUB.COM/ELECTRICAL/350433-CRUISE-MAIN-OFF-NOT-WORKING.HTML AND ANOTHER, SEPARATE INCIDENT WITH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=0YCU3VDFIEU&T=90S&LIST=FLB8SH0OS-Z9O2RC1I0I4ZLG&INDEX=1 AND MY POSTS ON YOUTUBE SHOWING HOW MY CAR RESPONDS. THE FIRST VIDEO IS FROM JULY 2016. THE SECOND IS FROM DECEMBER 2017. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=_TR6HG-6TQ8&LIST=FLB8SH0OS-Z9O2RC1I0I4ZLG&INDEX=2 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=APE_LZXACYA THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS SYSTEMIC AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #11057122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 MAZDA6 MODEL CARS WERE BUILT WITH FAULTY THROTTLE BODIES. UNAWARE OF THIS, I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE VEHICLES AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH IT. WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, UNDER 15 MPH, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY THROTTLE, ACCELERATING IT IN BURSTS EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THAT ISSUE IS PROBLEMATIC BUT RELATIVELY MINOR; HOWEVER, THERE IS A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS ISSUE THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY CREATES. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR KIDS IN THE CAR THE FIRST TIME WE HAD THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING (SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR). LUCKILY, SHE WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT 25 MPH. THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS FORCED TO COAST THROUGH FREEWAY TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT, WITHOUT WARNING, AT SEVERAL SPEEDS. THERE IS NO RHYME TO WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND NO INDICATION IT'S GOING TO CUT OUT AHEAD OF TIME. I SPENT OVER $500 TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MECHANICS UNSURE WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN A MECHANIC HAPPENED TO HAVE AN OLD SERVICE BULLETIN (SB), DATED 5/18/2006, FROM MAZDA THAT STATED THROTTLE BODIES WITH THE MARKINGS AA, AB, OR BA AT THE END OF THEIR SERIAL NUMBERS (AS IS THE CASE WITH THE ONE IN MY CAR) ARE "NO GOOD". BECAUSE THE PART IS LABELED "NO GOOD" UNDER MAZDA LETTERHEAD, I FIGURED THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER SOMEHOW MISSED. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS ASSURED NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED ON THE PART AND IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT, THE COST WILL BE OVER $1,000. A RECALL MUST BE MADE ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FAULTY, BY MAZDA'S OWN ADMISSION, PART BEFORE UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED, IF THAT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #11018745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AND A WARNING POPPED UP "MRCC INSPECTION REQUIRED"
NHTSA complaint #11010727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 6. WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AS IF ATTEMPTING TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE UPPER BODY, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO FEEL THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SEA COAST MAZDA DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 09/07/17
NHTSA complaint #11000638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR HAS VERY SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVING IT JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AND SOME TIMES TO THE 4TH GEAR. THE DASHBOARD SOME TIMES SHOWS THE CAR HAS SWITCHED TO THE 3RD GEAR WHILE THE CAR IS STILL REVVING ABNORMALLY HIGH IN 2ND GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS SOME VERY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY ISSUES. THIS ISSUES TEND TO OCCUR FREQUENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. (THE CAR'S ACCELERATION IS VERY WEAK, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE ISSUE OR NOT )
NHTSA complaint #10967637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT CEASE TO FUNCTION AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE IT THE VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE IN SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #10957998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, MY CAR ATOMATICALLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND SLOWED DOWN RAPIDLY. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE FORWARD OBSTRUCTION WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON AND SAID AN INSPECTION WAS NEEDED. MAZDA DEALERSHIP SAID "NEVER HEARD OF THAT" DESPITE SIMILAR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON USER FORUMS. DEALER WILL NOT COVER FULL COST OF THE REPAIR BECUASE CARE IT OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT FALL UNDER NORMAL WARRANTY CONSIDERATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10885499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.