2009 Mazda MAZDA6: pulls to one side

Filed Dec 11, 2023 · Suspension · OH

I brought my 2009 Mazda 6 to the dealership to inspect the suspension after the car began pulling to the right when braking. I was informed the front and rear subframes have failed on this car due to corrosion—even though the front subframe was serviced previously for the recall campaign with the addition of a support bracket. The front subframe will be replaced by Mazda due to the failed recall repair. However, Mazda will not cover the rear subframe at this time because it has not been recalled. The dealership recommends I do not drive the car until the rear subframe is replaced. However, the dealership quoted over $5,000 to replace it due to the high price of the subframe. There is a significant risk the lower control arms can separate from the vehicle due to corrosion, resulting in loss of vehicle control.

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Body, Steering · 188,000 miles · OH

While driving car, felt clunk and car kept pulling to right and hard to control steering. When turn wheel, loud clunking felt and hard to control car. Car was on highway just before exiting to city street.took to independent mechanic who said subframe completely rusted and affected steering and wheels would not let anyone drive car and said car is undriveable. Car towed to mazda dealer where it sits today. I was driving my 3 brothers in the car when this occurred. Luckily there was no accident.

Filed Oct 30, 2018 · Body · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mazda 6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the steering wheel was turned approximately one quarter to the left in order to drive the vehicle in a straight line. Also while driving at various speeds the vehicle would pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side tie rod and suspension cradle was damaged due to rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000. *dt*jb the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was in their possession in the process of being repaired.

Filed Oct 22, 2018 · Body, Steering · 129,000 miles · MI

I was driving about 45 MPH on rochester rd in traffic when I had to pull to the right and brake for and ambulance heading my way, I heard something break in the front end and upon trying to resume my position in my lane my car would not steer and in order to keep my wheels straight I had to turn my steering wheel to the car left. I thought I had a tire going down so I pulled over to inspect my tires and found nothing so I got back in my car and made a turn back on the road and I knew right away something was terribly wrong as it felt like I was on a sheet of ice. I pulled over and called for a tow truck. Upon inspection at my repair shop they found my subframe was rusted out.

Filed Oct 9, 2018 · Body, Driver assistance · 170,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mazda 6. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and pulled to the right. In addition, the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the wheel rim was tilted outwards, striking the fender well. Also, the a arm was detached and the frame was corroded. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that a new subframe would be needed. The contact called paul miller ford at (888) 776-0844 (located at 975 e new circle rd, lexington, ky 40505), but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was not available.

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 13, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 120,219 miles · WI

I backed out of my driveway, which has a slight curb to it, and heard a clunk or pop from the front of the car. Drove down my street and to a highway on-ramp and while turning onto the ramp the steering felt loose (required more steering angle than normal to turn same amount). While on the highway, to keep the car straight, the wheel needed to be held turned left ~20degrees. I drove to the 1st exit to get off the highway right away, and while applying brakes, the car pulled to the right. Going on city streets to try to return home, a traffic light turned yellow, and applied brakes again and car pulled almost over into the right hand lane. Immediately pulled into a parking lot and called a towtruck, and towed it to a shop. Pictures from inspection performed by the shop are attached.

Filed Aug 10, 2018 · Body · 65,000 miles · MA

While driving my 2009 mazda 6 at 30 MPH on a city street the car violently pulled to the right and I had to cut the wheel to the left in order to drive straight. I brought the car to a local mechanic who informed me that the car's subframe had significant rust and rot and was not safe to drive. The car is in otherwise good condition and has approximately 65k miles.

Filed Aug 7, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 148,500 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mazda 6. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started pulling to the right. In addition, the traction control and dynamic stability control off warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 148,500.

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 141,000 miles · OH

Bought 2009 mazda 6 brand new. Car has 140,000 miles well maintained. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision with a truck pulling a trailer. The truck was at a stop sign facing west, I had right of way driving north, truck driver pulled out in front of me turning left to go south. My speed aprox.40mph to dead stop.. My vehicle never left the road or no impact with other vehicle. As I started to drive straight, I had to keep my steering 20-30 degrees to left because my car pulled hard to the right. I pulled over to check for flat tire. That was not the issue. I was able to turn around and proceed to a mazda dealer aprox 2 miles south . I left the car there for mazda to inspect. The service advisor called me and told me the front sub frame had split/cracked due to rust corrosion--"thats northeast ohio for you". Repair estimate $2000-$2500. Repairs are not done. Dealership has allowed to leave the vehicle in the parking lot for a short time. My car can not be driven. The dealership offered to work with me to "purchase another vehicle " .

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 May 4, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 100,000 miles · MI · crash

The subframe of my 2009 mazda6 completely rotted out from the inside and the vehicle broke down during normal use. On wednesday, may 2nd, a mazda dealership replaced my rotors, pads, and noticed the car was pulling to one side so they corrected the alignment. During this time they identified a normal level of rust on the subframe but was not concerned by any other signs of failure. Less than 10 miles after leaving the dealership the subframe cracked, my front passenger wheel cv axil disconnected and the car was inoperable. Thankfully I was going only 35 MPH, down a straight, paved city road, and not on the highway. I fear that at higher speeds the car would have gone off road or worse for when the subframe broke the car jerked heavily to the right then completely stopped. I believe the dealership provided quality service and due to the type of physical failure of rotting from the inside the danger it posed to myself and my family in the car was hidden. The dealership informs me that there is a backorder (400ish) for the part and that parts may not be available for several weeks. Searching online there seems to be many similar cases reported with models around this timeframe. Due to the type of failure, number of similar cases, age of the car, type of use, I am shocked that there is not a recall.