155 of the
2,937 complaints filed about the Mazda MAZDA6
are about the braking system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
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.
On a clear lane with the forward car 5 car lengths away with traffic flowing, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) activated slowing my car down from 65mph to 30mph. I deactivated AEB on my exit and changed the AEB distance from “normal” to “near”.
NHTSA complaint #11701744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
The part was purchased via Rock auto and installed at home DIY. The vehicle failed to return form "maintenance" mode for the rear parking brake. Took it to a Mazda dealer and they determined the Calipers were both manufactured incorrectly or the "spline gear" in the rear of the caliper that meshes to the Electronic Parking Brake actuator. This caused the parking brake to stay in maintenance mode, making it unusable for parking nor emergency braking, making the vehicle undrivable. It also caused Damage that incurred costs for parts and labor of the vehicle. The vehicle can still be driven and the only way to know its potentially unsafe is the light in the dash for the brake maintenance mode. At this time its unclear if this is the only issue with this part. Jason at Dynamic Friction technical support is investigating.
NHTSA complaint #11668599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Premature caliper failure on front and rear. Ruined rotors at 40k miles, confirmed caliper failure by two service shops. Grinding/squeaking sounds intermittently been happening for since 30,000 miles
NHTSA complaint #11663276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am having my brake pads changed at a local mechanic and when changing the pads, the mechanic was unable to change them because the rotors and calipers were rusted and the brake pistons stuck. The previous recall only considered Mazda 6 up to 2013 but my 2018 has had the same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11646848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX] I purchased a Mazda 6 at Ocean Mazda in Miami, Florida. The car has 18,700 miles. The reason why the car has only 18K miles it's because out of the 4 years we have owned it, it was not used as much as a result of the COVID pandemic and my daughter attending online classes. I have always done timely maintenance services as required by Mazda at our service dealer Ocean Mazda and have proof of maintenance records to confirm the minor maintenance that have been done, oil change, tire rotation, battery replacement and a recall. This past Saturday [XXX] I took our Mazda for an oil change; and I was informed that a Five Point Inspection showed that the Driver Rear brake caliper and pad needed to be replaced because it was measuring 2% lining compared to the three other calipers which showed a 6% lining. Since the 36 month warranty has expired the cost to replace the caliper is $875.20. I'm a mom simply concerned about the safety of my daughter and have zero knowledge about brake pads and calipers, but one thing that I do know is that I have owned multiple cars during my lifetime and have never had an issue with a caliper going bad and much less at 18K miles. I'm conscious of timely maintenance and take care of the cars I owned to lasts years. I asked my service advisor how is it possible that one caliper could go bad in a span of 2,500 miles when the prior inspection done in August 2023 showed all 4 calipers having a 6% lining as per the service report card? Furthermore, the inspection done recently shows the three remaining calipers at 6%. The answer I received from my advisor was that "calipers can go bad", sometimes due to a FAULTY caliper. A caliper on a car with 18K miles should not go bad unless it is a faulty caliper. Mazda should honor the repair as this is a hazard condition caused by their faulty part. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11582244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST BAUGHT A 2013 MAZDA6 THE REAR CRADEL AND CROSS MEMBER WAS COMPLETY RUSTED AWAY ONE MOUNT WAS COMPLETY RUSTED OFF .THE SPRINGS WAS ALMOST READY TO FALL OUT THE BOTTEM OF THE SPRING PURCH .IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PULLED OUT OF THE OCEAN WHERE IT HAD STAYED FOR YEARS .I TRIED TO FIND A USED REPLACEMENT OUT OF SEVERAL WE FOUND FROM 10-13 AND GOING THRU NATIONAL SALVAGE PARTS WE CAN NOT FIND ONE THAT WAS NOT RUSTY AWAY ALL THE MAZDA6 FRAMS WERE SO RUSTED THEY COULD NOT BE USED .WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST IF ALL I COULD FIND ARE RUSTED OUT PARTS THAT IS A SAFTY HAZZARD TO HAVE ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11560838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uneven premature brake wear. Right front and right rear pads and rotors worn beyond limits in 28,000miles of lite freeway driving. Left front and Left rear only half worn. Engine has multiple oil leaks.
NHTSA complaint #11508208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D) or reverse(R), the vehicle failed to move. The electronic parking brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle, deactivated the electronic parking brake, and forcefully depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he had to pay to repair the vehicle since the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was in the process of towing the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in the recall. A case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The contact has noted that this complaint has been resolved.
NHTSA complaint #11494079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was at a doctor's office and their parking lot has a large slope. I parked facing up the slope and applied the parking brake. When I exited the vehicle, I felt the vehicle slowly sliding backwards. I pushed rearward on the car to check if the brakes were holding which accelerated the roll. I jumped back in the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal to stop the roll. I replaced the rear brake pads and noticed extremely uneven wear. Additionally, the left-rear caliper parking brake actuator was bound-up and wouldn't function. I exercised the actuator to loosen it up a bit which should be just enough until I can order the part. I experienced this same issue with my parking brake in 2017. In 2017, I took the car to the dealer who replace the rear brake calipers under recall 17V393000. I called the dealer today 8/16/2022 and they stated the calipers cannot be replaced under warranty or recall again. I find it extremely disturbing that the parking brake would experience such an extreme failure twice in the 8 years I've owned this vehicle. In 2017, the parking brake released suddenly while the car was unattended sending the car down my 100ft driveway, glancing my house and crashing through a wooden fence before stopping. Luckily, this time (2022), I know of the prior issue and can be proactive about replacing the faulty part. These calipers need a redesign where the calipers can last more than 5 years before such a safety failure... or that the parking brake not functioning while unattended isn't the first indication of failure.
NHTSA complaint #11479546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pulled up to gas pump, put parking brake on (manual transmission), got out of car and heard a beeping noise from inside. The car then began to drift backwards into traffic. Have DashCam video that can share.
NHTSA complaint #11474292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving between 40-50 MPH at a consistent speed and I began to have to put the brake pedal to the floor in order to slow down the car. Even when doing this the car does not slow down at the rate expected and stopping distance has increased by more than 50 percent. Have been told there is Cracked/leaking bore diameter to the master brake cylinder housing is causing pressure and fluid loss, into other internal parts of the braking system. Not visible externally. Mechanic states that they have encountered this problem with several of this year make and model with this exact issue. The shop was able to top off the brake fluid which slightly improved performance but the issue still remains. Car is at 104K miles.
NHTSA complaint #11464246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
System failure: front and rear hydraulic brakes. Yes, the safety of the driver and passenger were put at risk. No, the problem was not confirmed by the dealer or service center. Why not? See below: a) As the brake components (brake pads) were assumed to be wear items and not covered under warranty, the brake components were replaced (brake rotors and pads) and the calipers were rebuilt. c) The brake service work was performed by the owner of the vehicle (complaint writer). There were no lamps/icons nor messages displayed to alert the vehicle owner of the malfunction. On June 05, 2021 while driving in the Traverse City MI area descending steep hills, it was noticed that the brake pedal required above normal force to slow the vehicle. In July 2021 with approximately 21000 miles, I disassembled the front and rear brake components to investigate the root cause of the brake performance decline. The front and rear calipers were observed to have very minimal caliper lubricant on the caliper pins and sleeves and evidence of corrosion. The front brake pads were worn approximately 50% and rear pads were worn about 90-100% (no friction material remaining). See attached files. New brake rotors and pads were installed and the calipers were rebuilt. On August 04 2021, I contacted the Mazda Customer Experience Center to advise of the brake system malfunction. Service Request Number 1-4195762982 was assigned. On August 26 2021, I brought the brake pads and rotors to Serra Mazda to advise/alert Mazda of the premature brake pad wear. The Service/Parts Director was given the brake pads in order that the components could be forwarded to Mazda for a "PQR" to be initiated. No response has been received. The vehicle has been serviced at Serra Mazda since 2018 and no statements were made to the vehicle owner that the brake pads were below the service limit.
NHTSA complaint #11444516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mazda recalled the problem with the emergency brake(recall1217F) .The dealership did some cosmetic fix that did not prevent it from happening. The emergency brake when applied activated a lever when the brake is released the lever returns to it's original position.The recall was supposed to address the corrosion on the lever shaft that causes it to stick and not release the brake.
NHTSA complaint #11438015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION POPS, CLUNKS, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, VIBRATION ALSO HAPPENS, IT ALSO CAUSING TIRES TO BE REPLACED FASTER THAN NORMAL THEY GO BOLD IN THE CENTER ITS CAUSING NOW THE AXLES TO SHAKE AT NIGHT TIME YOU CAN SEE THE REFLECTION FROM HEADLIGHTS BOUNCING, THEY HAVE TSB'S ON THIS SUSPENSION ISSUE HOWEVER NOT FOR 2018 ONLY 14-16 MAZDA 6S I BELIEVE AND SUPPOSEDLY THE ISSUE WAS CORRECTED WELL THEY LIED BECAUSE MINE IS A 18 AND IT IS A DISASTER, MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR, TURN WHEEL IT MAKES A LOUD CLUNK SOUND OR POPPING SOUND, GO OVER A DIP IN ROAD DOES THE SAME THING, YOU GO OVER A BUMP THE VEHICLE FEELS SOGGY, IT LIKE DRIBBLES, IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWAY.. IT'S HORRIBLE, ALSO THE BRAKES WAS SHAKING AT 15K MILES, FOUND OUT IT'S TSBS ON THIS ISSUE AND OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T FIX FOR FREE, CHARGED ME OVER 600 DOLLARS FOR A ISSUE THAT HAS A TSB ON.
NHTSA complaint #11405090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON JANUARY 25, 2014, I HAD MY CAR SERVICE AT A S. FLORIDA MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR A 2013 RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH MOUNTING SCREWS. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE SCREWS MAY BECOME LOOSE. IF ALL THREE DOOR LATCH MOUNTING SCREWS BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OUT, THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. CURRENTLY, I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY DOORS AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATING. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THIS ISSUE, MY BATTERY THAT I HAD REPLACED IN MAY 2020 DOES NOT WORK. MY CAR DID NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT TOLD ME THAT MY DOOR LATCH ON 2 DOORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE MY CAR THINKS THE DOOR IS AJAR AND THIS CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DRAIN EVEN WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF. IT SOUNDS LIKE THESE ISSUES COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE 2013 RECALL. FURTHERMORE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE TECHNICIAN ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE DOOR LATCH ISSUE. SO ALL OF THE ABOVE ISSUES CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE 2013 RECALL ON DOOR LATCHES. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE DOOR LATCHES. THEREFORE, THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WITHOUT CHARGE TO ME. RIGHT NOW, MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 1 WEEK AND 2 DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #11384608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EMERGENCY PARKING BREAK LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON IT WHEN DRIVING. IF I ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER FOR ME TO DISENGAGE IT REQUIRES THAT I PUT MY SEATBELT ON AND HAVE DOORS LOCK THEN PUT CAR IN DRIVE TO TAKE BREAK OFF. BUT LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON.
NHTSA complaint #11372586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BUENOS DIAS EN EL ANO 2017 MANEJABA EN LINEA RECTA APROXIMADAMENTE 40 M/H LOGRE VER UN VENADO Y APLIQUE LOS FRENOS PAUSADAMENTE EL CARRO SE DEZPLAZO HACIA LA IZQUIERDA SIN RAZON ALGUNA SALIENDO FUERA DE LA CARRETERA E IMPACTANDO CON EL ORILLO DE LA CARRETERA CAUSANDO DESPRENDIMIENTO DEL CAUCHO DERECHO Y MUCHO DANO EN LA SUSPENSION AHORA DESPUES DE 3 ANOS ME DOI CUENTA POR MEDIO DE LA MAZDA QUE ALGUNA PARTE DEL SISTEMA DE FRENOS EN ALGUNOS MODELOS A SIDO DEFECTUOSA ESTO A PODIDO OCASIONAR LA MUERTE DE MI FAMILIA
NHTSA complaint #11355574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.