The frame rusted through and broke where the lower control arm attaches on the passenger side. This caused an immediate pull to the right and nearly caused a wreck. The car was towed to a local mechanic shop who reported the problem. Mazda is currently not taking responsibility for this even though it was a known issue and a recall was issued for this exact issue.
2011 Mazda MAZDA6: ball joint or control arm failure
12 of the 136 complaints about the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 120,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while her mother was driving at slow speeds in a parking area, there was an abnormally loud metallic sound coming from underneath the vehicle, and moments later, the vehicle became extremely difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the rear crossmember had detached from the vehicle due to excessive corrosion of the subframe. The contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V323000 (Structure, Suspension); the VIN was previously included, but was repaired in 2019. The contact stated that the recall repair was for the front passenger’s side lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Alignment is off. Recall for my type of call for the control arm weakening and causing wheel alignment problems. Why isn't mine part of recall??
My 2011 Mazda 6 rear suspension broke while my wife was driving our car on the highway. It could have killed my wife and son. The frame is rusted so bad that the lower control arm broke away from the frame, the rear wheel is barely hanging on it by one bolt on the front control arm. It is very much a safety issue and Mazda needs to take charge of the problem before someone dies in their vehicle. Our car has 106215 miles on it and we still owe alot of money on this thing.
The rear cross member/subframe is completely rusted in two and the rear lower forward control arm is detached from cross member/subframe on both sides. There is currently an active recall for the front cross member due to accelerated corrosion from road salt but I’m not aware of any inclusion of the rear frame or suspension components tied in with this recall. It definitely needs added to it as this is VERY dangerous, possibly even more so than the front. Rest of the actual car body is fine, except for a little bit of surface rust. Please add this to the current corrosion recall! Car is registered in WV and is available for inspection anytime and I will be attaching pictures and I also have a video but it won’t let me post it on here.
Turning onto a road, heard a loud thud from the front passenger corner. Car steering became highly erratic. Parked the car, noticed the front passenger wheel was crooked. Took it to the nearest shop and they said the crossmember was rusted completely through and snapped, causing the control arm to lose control. Found out there is a recall for the car model and year for this exact issue, but my car wasn't covered by it, so I did not receive notification of it, but it clearly affects this VIN as well.
October 11, 2022 I hit a steep curb while pulling into a gas station before heading to work, which caused alignment issues. I originally thought it was just about that time for an alignment so I drove my car to tire discounters. [XXX] the manager there called me and told me pretty much the sub frame on my car was rusted so bad that he doesn’t even know how I made it to their facility, and pretty much it would cost more to fix than the car is worth, so I should think about trading it in or I would have to look elsewhere for someone to fix the sub frame. After google search about this particular part, my store manager found a recall for the Mazda subframes claiming the listed states fail to put a coating on the subframe to protect the car from rusting. The car originated from Michigan which was one of the states listed on the recall list, so I called Nelson Mazda in Murfreesboro, TN and they had informed me that this particular part was already fixed in 2019 but judging by the picture [XXX] from tire discounters sent me. No one actually fixed anything, so someone falsely lied on documentation so [XXX] from Mazda agreed to take a look at it and he agreed that this sub frame was not “properly” done and had to wait a couple days to get approved in order to redo the recalled part. Well due to sub frame rusting caused additional problems like replace the front uppers control arm, the struts, the front control arm, and the tie rod end needs to be replaced as well. I specifically asked [XXX] if the sub frame was done correctly the first time would these additional problems exist and without any extra explanation he said “No.”, but he informed me Mazda is only taking care of the subframe at no cost, and an alignment. The alignment would prove useless without catering to the other maintenance that needs attention as well, and I do feel since the recall wasn’t not done properly I should not be responsible for additional costs as well. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Rear CONTROL ARM broke off the REAR SUBFAME due heavy RUST. I had to replace the entire rear subframe plus both control arms. This incident occurred WHILE I WAS DRIVING! Now I find out that the front end is shot as well and that Mazda is only recalling the front subframe and not the rear and I want to know why. Somebody could have been killed. The repair cost me $700 plus rental fees for a vehicle. I had my vehicle in the shop for 16days. It cost me $1,135. I have the invoices.
Subframe on passenger side has rusted completely through, exposing a lower control arm bolt. This has occurred on the passenger side. There is a recall for 09/10 mazda 6. Don't know why this isn't expanded to cover this mazda 6 model as I'm sure the subframe is the same throughout.
Frame/engine cradle has hole next to lower control arm due to rust.
The right side of the engine cradle rotted away, causing the right lower control arm to break away and loosing control of the vehicle. I was only going approx. 15 MPH on a side street and applying the brakes when this accorded. The vehicle only have approx. 85k miles on it.
While driving on the highway at about 55 MPH I heard a loud noice and the car suddenly started to swerve, the steering became difficult. I was able to slow down and pull off the highway and to a parking lot. During the ride at a much slower speed around 20-25 very loud noises came from the right front of the car especially,when the the wheel was turned. The vehicle is not drivable and had to be towed. The sub frame rusted out and the lower control arm pushed the right front tire into the back of the wheel well.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6?
12 of 136 owner complaints about the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 (9%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2009.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Mazda MAZDA6
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