2009 Mazda MAZDA6: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Body, Suspension · 85,600 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the front of the vehicle while turning, also while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered corrosion and a hole on the front passenger’s side suspension cross member. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who confirmed the diagnosis and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 85,600.

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · Body · 155,000 miles · NY

I braked quickly for a traffic light. The car skidded and veered violently to the right. When I accelerated from the light, I had to hold onto the wheel tightly to keep the car on the road. If I let go of the wheel, the car would immediately swerve to the right. In addition, the front passenger side wheel was squealing. I got it to my mechanic who told me that the subframe has rusted through and broke. I was shocked as the body has no rust. I have always keep the car very clean and maintained. In fact, I had the under body rust proofed when I purchased in 2009. I had to remove the car from the road as it was undrivable. If I had been on the highway doing 55, I would have been involved in fatal accident.

Filed Sep 23, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 169,000 miles · MI

Was driving vehicle at 45 mile per hour. Suddenly noticed steering wheel was off center. I did not hit a pothole or any other obstructions on the road. Steering became very loose and vehicle hard to steer. When braking the vehicle started to make squealing sound and pulled to one side. Suspension became very harsh even on good surface road.. This is a catastrophic failure with no warning. Fortunately was able to get vehicle to auto repair center without getting into accident. Auto repair facility examined vehicle and showed me that engine cradle - subframe had rusted thought and broke. This caused the engine to go off center which caused the braking, steering, and suspension issues. Auto repair facility told me the vehicle was not safe to drive and made me sign a waiver to release the vehicle.

Filed Sep 16, 2018 · Suspension · 115,000 miles · MN

Vehicle has a grinding/buzzing sound (when vehicle is in motion) coming from the front passenger side. Took the vehicle to a mechanic to be inspected and extensive rust and corrosion was found on the subframe. I am thankful that this was discovered before a major malfunction which could lead to a serious accident or death. From reading the many complaints of this problem on this website, I hope that madza will address this issue.

Filed Jun 15, 2018 · Steering · 950,000 miles · MI

Garage kept mazda 6. While traveling about 40 a person cut into my lane and under hard braking we heard a loud grinding sound and the car pulled hard right. We pulled over and the car was not driveable. Had it towed home to find the subframe broke behind the passenger side tire. There was an unusual amount of corrosion there compared to the rest of the car.

Filed Apr 30, 2018 · Body · 70,000 miles · NY

I was driving to a medical appt on local roads when I noticed a thumping sound from the front left, as if the tire were going flat. I stopped and inspected the tire and found no problems, so I continued on to the appt less than a mile away. Leaving the appt I felt the car suddenly pulling sharply to the right, and the dsc-off light came on. Turning right caused a loud squeaking noise. I drove immediately to a mazda dealership that was fortunately only a mile or so away. They examined the car and found that it is unsafe to drive due to severe rusting of the front subframe (right side). They said that if I had hit a pothole the right front tire may have broken off, endangering my life and the lives of others. The dealership was unable to locate a used subframe, and new subframes are on backorder until june - leaving me to find alternate means of transportation for at least a month. Living in a northern climate I expect cars to rust, but a 9 year old car with only 70,000 miles should not have deteriorated to such a level this quickly.

Filed Mar 18, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 189,270 miles · OH

While driving at highway speed (55-65mph) the steering wheel began progressively rotating counter-clockwise with the vehicle remaining straight. The dynamic stability control turned off as if the vehicle was out of control and the vehicle acted as if it were on icy/slick surfaces no longer providing support to the driver. The braking system began to struggle nearly causing an accident on the off ramp of the expressway causing a fishtail with the ABS attempting to engage. At this point the steering wheel was registering straight' with the steering wheel turned approximately 30 degrees left. Somehow at speeds less than 15 MPH the vehicle was driven to the local mazda dealership where it has a service history for an emergency service inspection. A test drive with a service representative supported the owner's complaints of a severe safety concern with right turns causing a significant 'grinding'/metallic dragging sound as if the vehicle's right under-side was contacting the ground. After inspecting the vehicle in the lift the mechanic determined there was front passenger frame metal corrosion which was breaking off in chunks. The dealership voiced awareness of another 2009 mazda6 with similar miles (approximately 15,000 fewer) having nearly the same issue last fall/winter. The vehicle in this report has approximately 189,000 primarily highway miles and is otherwise in excellent condition for its year/make/model. The aforementioned frame failure should never happen and is believed to be a manufacturer defect which should not be the responsibility of the owner. Fortunately in this case there was not an automobile accident/collision, injury, or death though this could have easily happened. I do believe there is an extremely serious problem here and needs to be investigated as human lives are at stake.