Mazda MAZDA6 knocking problems

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Engine · NC

Start engine when cold and it knocks/ taps from the valve cover very loud, found a tab for valve lifters. Mazda said I’m out of warranty and it would be a 2k fix on a car I just bought second hand. A lot of other drivers have experienced the same issue and have even said it’s a safety issues as when it happens for long enough it could cause the cams to wear down causing the car to stall out in traffic or in a dangerous road situation. Very dangerous imo and should be fixed for free as Mazda admitted that it’s a design flaw of the HLA

Filed Jul 23, 2022 · Engine · FL

I have a 2017 Mazda 6 that has an extremely loud engine. I have taken it in and I’m told the car is fine but I can feel the engine knocking through the pedal as I drive. The sound has gotten louder over time and it’s not getting any better. I’ve had some belts change and keep up my regular maintenance and Mazda can’t seem to figure out what the issue is. I have friends with the same model and their engine sounds normal.

Filed Jul 5, 2022 · Engine · 123,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine made a loud ticking noise. The contact stated that once the vehicle had warmed up, the would drive normal; however, while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the Variable Valve Timing Actuator (VVTA) was not functioning as needed causing the engine stall and loud ticking sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 93,112 miles · IN

Was driving on interstate at 70mph and applied breaks, heard a bang from area of passenger front side and lost control of the steering of the vehicle causing it swerve into the adjacent lane on my right. I narrowly avoided being hitting and being hit by other vehicles and was able get the car to the shoulder event without having proper control steering as the car would only steer to the right. Upon inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the bang was the passenger side subframe cracking due to heavy deterioration from rust. The car is underivable. I contacted mazda and discovered that the previous years of this model have a recall for this subframe deterioration issue for the same exact part #. I was also informed that the car cannot be fixed as because of the part # is not available and has/is on backorder for many months. This defect is a huge safety risk, in my case I am very lucky this did not result in fatal accident traveling at 70mph on interstate 80. I fear other might not be so lucky. The subframe recall most certainly needs to be expanded to at least 2011 and subsequent years that use this same subframe. Additionally, at minimum courtesy to it customers mazda should be altering its customers to have their subframes inspected as this is a very dangerous situation with many vehicle owners un aware they are driving ticking time bombs with subframes that are deteriorating prematurely and can lose control of steering at any moment.

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Wheels · 32,000 miles · AR

Last week the while driving the car it was felt that the vehicle was going out of control and a metallic knocking sound was coming from the front right side. After parking the vehicle it was noticed that the front right tire had completely deflated. But he TPMS did not show any abnormality ever during the drive. The tire was damaged to an extent that it had to be replaced. Thankfully this happened at a low speed and it appears that the TPMS sensors (on which there was an earlier recall) is not working correctly.

Filed Jul 21, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 325,000 miles · NY

Heard a knock while driving (as though hitting pothole). Next day steering column felt loose, breaks seemed worn and sound on sharp turns. Later that day while driving in city, went over a normal dip in the road and heard a crack/louder knock. Wheel turned to the left, even though driving straight. When applying brakes, wheel now turned to the right. Pulled aside and ran over curb as brakes were not as effective. Initial diagnosis: brakes and bearings need repair (although these were replaced less than 5 months ago). Next diagnosis: subframe psg. Side completely rotted and cracked. Will take a month to repair [rental provided]. Note- the past 6 months I've had other issues including: electrical (fuse for radio/locks/int lights keeps breaking; after 1.5 hour diagnostic cause still unknown. Chose to replace fuse as needed- weekly to monthly); 3 tires have gone (even though 2 were fairly new; needed alignment); brakes and bearings twice. Could be regular wear and tear or could be related.

Filed Jun 14, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 138,000 miles · OH

Noticed a knocking noise developing in front passenger side. Took the car to a local garage to have it checked out and to get new tires and alignment. I was notified that the sub-frame was rotted out and the car was no longer safe to drive. Contacted mazda for new sub-frame and was notified that the part has been on back order for 6 months and they had no idea when they would be available. Now I am stuck with an 8 year old car that is unsafe to drive with no hope for repair.

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Body · 133,000 miles · RI

Brought vehicle in to a mechanic to replace right-side inner/outer tie rods due to knocking sound when turning the steering wheel all the way to one side. Mechanic got it on a lift and showed me the tie rods weren't the problem, it was the fact that the front subframe was so rotted that the tie rods weren't attached to it anymore, they were just free floating. Mechanic said the vehicle was unsafe to drive and the subframe needed to be replace asap. After removing the rotted subframe, it was obvious to see that the large amount of rust that had formed was due to the poor design of the A/C waste water port. It's just a plastic opening sticking out of the firewall, so all the waste water is dripping/pouring down from the opening and ends up sitting on the subframe and causing rust. There is also an intentional hole in the subframe right below the waste water port, so the water also gets into the frame and travels down its length to spread out all the rust and corrosion. I had to buy some hose clamps and a plastic elbow and some vinyl tubing to direct the waste water down below my brand new subframe so that I don't end up rusting it out as well.

Filed May 30, 2018 · Suspension · 39,000 miles · WI

When turning my steering wheel all the way to the right there is a clunking noise and I can feel it in the steering wheel when straightening out the wheel. The noise could also be described as a knocking that can be felt in the steering wheel, while not in motion, or very slow motion, after the car has been stationary for a period of time. This issue typically happens when the car sits for longer than 8 hours. It is most commonly felt when backing out of a driveway. I'll back out and turn my wheel all the way to the right and feel or hear a slight clunk, then after I shift into drive and start moving forward while straitening out my wheel, I almost always feel and hear a clunk or clunk-knock while putting the wheel straight. After this initial time, I do not feel it again unless the car sits for a while. It does not happen frequently when turning the wheel the other direction. I took this into the dealer and they believe it to be an issue with the front shock absorber. It is out of factory warranty. They believe it may be similar to or identical to tsb 02-002/18. The dealer checked the steering and suspension components, all were tight, so it was not a safety concern. They recommended performing the repairs in the above mentioned service bulletin. I first started noticing this issue shortly after the 3 year mark on my vehicle. The repair costs are too high to address unless it is a safety issue which I was told it wasn't.

Filed Apr 7, 2018 · Suspension · 85,583 miles · OH

In september 2017 while driving on a city street at approximately 30 MPH there was a sudden and significant loss of steering control following a loud knock originating from the front end of the vehicle. Upon inspection the front crossmember/sub-frame was completely corroded to the point of breaking. The steering rack became totally separated from its mounts on the passenger side resulting in the steering loss. The failure occurred at 85,583 miles. Since the failure I have attempted to get this fixed. However, even after trying to get a replacement sub-frame from 4 different dealerships, I have been unable to get one for the last 7 months. They are back ordered and every time the date comes around, the date is pushed back further again, again, and again. I have reached out to mazda's north american customer service (service request number 1-1245266941) and in the last month have gotten no more than we'll look into when a replacement will be available. In researching this problem, it is apparent that this is far from an isolated incident as many others with this model car report failures of this exact nature. The employees of the local mazda parts departments are well aware of the complaints as well and have stated to me they are surprised that mazda has not initiated a recall or tsb regarding this issue. These failures have the potential to create a significant risk of injury and it is my belief that mazda is not treating this situation with the seriousness and promptness that it warrants. It is my understanding that this same part is was installed on not only the 2009 models, but all model years through 2013. If there is not corrective action taken, it is reasonable to expect this problem to persist for years to come as the other later models age.