NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Mazda 6[1]. Structure is the biggest group[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these groups come up most.
- Structure. 123 complaints[2]. Owners describe door latch parts working loose, doors that would not shut or opened on the road, and brake pedal feel that changed from one stop to the next.
- Suspension. 76 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe rusted subframe and engine cradle parts, worn wheel bearings, and alignment that would not hold.
- Air Bags. 75 complaints[6]. Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on and off, repairs that did not last, a melting dash, and in one story air bags that went off with no crash.
- Unknown or other. 57 complaints[7]. These reports do not name a clear part, so they cover a mix of issues.
- Steering. 36 complaints[8]. Owners describe pulling to one side, a rusted mount for the steering rack, and a steering lock and push button start that stopped working.
- Electrical system. 32 complaints[9]. This group includes fire reports, so it is worth a close look on any car you are considering.
- Engine. 16 complaints[10]. This is a smaller group on this model year.
- Wheels. 16 complaints[11]. This is also a smaller group.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 6 is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V782), October 2019. About 69,879 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Structure (18V631), September 2018. About 50,176 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V018), January 2018. About 70,227 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V457), July 2017. About 79,402 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V429), June 2017. About 205,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive (16V594), August 2016. About 41,918 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (13V425), September 2013. About 161,400 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (11V134), February 2011. About 52,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments (09V043), February 2009. About 29,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[23].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2009 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 174 | 6 |
| 2004 | 160 | 4 |
| 2005 | 147 | 3 |
| 2006 | 173 | 3 |
| 2007 | 156 | 4 |
| 2008 | 111 | 4 |
| 2009 | 386 | 9 |
| 2010 | 225 | 9 |
| 2011 | 135 | 6 |
| 2012 | 99 | 6 |
| 2013 | 23 | 4 |
| 2014 | 137 | 4 |
| 2015 | 60 | 3 |
| 2016 | 77 | 1 |
| 2017 | 60 | 1 |
| 2018 | 58 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 17 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the 6 show 386 complaints and 9 recalls for 2009[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 0 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (2) and the most are for 2009 (386)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2009 6?
This Mazda has a clear pattern in the owner stories we read. Rust around the front subframe and engine cradle shows up in the suspension and steering groups[5][8]. The air bag warning light is the other repeat theme[6]. Recalls also exist for this year, and the page lists them[3]. If you are shopping for one, have a mechanic check underneath and scan for air bag faults before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda 6?
- Structure leads the complaint groups on file[2], followed by suspension[5] and air bags[6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2009 Mazda 6 have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for 2009[3], and the Recalls section on this page lists them.
- What mpg does the 2009 Mazda 6 get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2009 Mazda 6 reliable?
- Owners filed 386 complaints with NHTSA[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to inspect.
- Is 2009 the best year for the Mazda 6?
- The by-year comparison section on this page puts the model years side by side so you can judge for yourself.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda 6
Compare all model years of the Mazda 6
Similar cars from 2009: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Mazda 6 (8 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 123 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 76 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 75 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,575). NHTSA vehicle records
- 57 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 125,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 32 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 115,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V782, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V631, filed September 14, 2018: Structure. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V018, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V457, filed July 18, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V429, filed June 29, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V594, filed August 11, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V425, filed September 24, 2013: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V134, filed February 25, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V043, filed February 4, 2009: Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 6, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD /GS/GT: length 194 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,283 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 SPORT 4DR HATCH GS-L4/GT-L4: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,188 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 SPORT 4DR HATCH GS-V6/GT-V6: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,364 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov