Mazda MAZDA6 wipers problems

Filed Dec 17, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NJ

My "infotainment" system was experiencing ghost touching. In other words, the touch screen in the car that controls everything from radio to bluetooth to settings for safety features such as braking assist and automatic sensor wipers would completely go crazy and select/unselect features in the touchscreen. Sometimes it was one touch at a time (ie, change the radio station). Over time, and the more humid it was outside, I would have drives where every time the car was under 10mph, the touchscreen would go berserk. The car does have a feature where you cannot change settings when the car is going faster than 10mph, so thankfully this could not happen continuously. I had many instances where I would be braking to stop at a red light and the volume of the radio would go up so high that you would immediately cover your ears. (I keep radio at volume 10-15 and go to 30 when I want it really loud, it would go to 50 or more by itself). Obviously this is not good when you are at 10mph and still coming to a stop with a car in front of you. The first time it happened, I was so unaware that I immediately slammed on the brakes to a complete stop and the car behind me barely missed hitting me. Other instances involved the ghost touching turning off the "brake assist" option in the settings and turning off the "rain sensing wipers" feature all while driving. I would have to wait until my destination, then turn off the car and then turn back on to turn these safety features back on for the next drive. Obviously this is not good safety, when these safety features turn off during a drive. It got to the point I would not drive my kids in the car anymore. The Mazda dealer did not understand what was happening, but a quick Google search shows this issue for 2017 Mazda 6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3. Thats alot of cars and the only fix is to replace the touchscreen. I replaced mine in the summer of 2021 and paid well over $900. This needs to be recalled to prevent future issues for owners.

Filed Jan 16, 2020 · Brakes, Lights · 117,000 miles · OR

I was driving down the freeway in the rain and the windshield wipers quit functioning. I pulled over and checked the fuses finding both fuses affecting the wipers were in working order. While pulled over, I also noticed my headlights were no longer on. I checked the fuses related to the headlights and these were also in working order. As I was not in a good location to leave my car for any period of time, I drove my car a few more miles down the road. During this time, the warning for the "smart breaking system failure" also came on. I was able to get my vehicle into the dealership and they have diagnosed the problem as a failure of the front body control module. I noticed there is an active recall on the 2016 mazda 3 for the very same issue. I asked the dealer about this and they said my vehicle is not affected by this recall. Based on the symptoms my car has, and being the same year as cars affected, I would strongly disagree.

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Body · WI

I am writing this letter because I recently learned about a safety issue with my car during a routine oil change on thursday, july 19, 2018. I was made aware by the mechanic that the subframe on my 2011 mazda6 is covered in rust and should be replaced. Upon trusted inspections from two different auto shops, the result is the same: I need a new subframe because it is extremely dangerous if it broke away. I bought my car new in 2011, so I am shocked that a major structural component of my car is now compromised, putting my safety at risk. The subframe is on nationwide back order, which tells me (and both mechanics echoed each other) that this is a much bigger problem. My daily commute to my job has me driving on the interstate, at 70 MPH, at a total of approximately 80 miles per day. I no longer feel safe when driving my car. I did some online research and discovered mazda had over 20 reports from owners who say rust in their 2009-2010 mazda 6s has caused, or nearly caused, a steering failure. This extended even further into other model models for subframe rot deemed dangerous. In 2016, mazda had to recall 190,000 cx-7s for a similar issue wherein corrosion was causing suspension failure. Days later, 2.2 million mazdas were recalled worldwide. I called mazda's customer service, but they declined to help me because 'I didn't continue my relationship with mazda", after my warranty was up. However, while under warranty, I only took my car to mazda for service because I knew I had to due to the warranty, despite their complete incompetence. During the time my car was under warranty and was serviced at mazda, they installed my driver's windshield wiper backwards. It popped off the next day during a downpour. Two times they didn't close my hood fully (once left oil cap on top of my engine). For these reasons, I sought out a more reliable mechanic after warranty.

Filed Jan 9, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 117,000 miles · TN

Mazda north america operations (mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 mazda3 vehicles manufactured june 12, 2013, through december 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 mazda6 vehicles manufactured may 20, 2013, through december 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5l engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the power control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system. Consequence once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. What owners should do mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on may 19, 2014. Owners may contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314d. My car is experiencing this recall that was closed in 2015. Mazda is concern about the problem since the recall is closed ans the repair was done at the time of the recall. However the pro elm still exist.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Visibility · 34,000 miles · MI

Obscured rear vision on sportwagons. Replacements for original replaceable rear blade carrier do not correctly fit the original wiper arm assembly (mounted to the rear window). Both recently supplied mazda(!) and aftermarket blade carriers have a new tab that interferes with the wiper arm assembly, preventing pressure being fully applied to the tips of the rubber blade. Consequently, only a small, central portion of the rear window is wiped clear of rain, snow or mud. That is hazardous.

Filed Aug 1, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 162,440 miles · TX · fire

My battery on my 2004 mazda 6 went out and I had to jump start it to.go to work and come from work one day. The next day I took my battery to get checked to see what the issue was and they told me my battery was completely dead and it had only 6 months of usage. I put a new battery in my vehicle and as I installed the new battery I unplugged it to see if my alternator would kick in to make sure it was working correctly and as I put the battery back on a shortage happens and my wipers came on at full speed and all my lights were blinking on my dash and a smell of electrical wires burning started to happen and the entire electrical system has messed up. Turn signal lights don't work,headlights, bose stereo,hazard lights,reverse lights truck don't open windows don't go up or down and while I drive the speedometer does not track the velocity the needle goes crazy and my e-brake light is on and track control light is blinking and the air bag lights come on all the time . I do not know where to start to fix this issue but I'm really disappointed in this because I just have 8 months with my vehicle from a dealer ship and they checked out car just fine. This is going to be a super high cost to repair all the damages. Just from a change of a battery. And to top it all thank god I wasn't in the car because their was a small fire in the wires but it went away quick.

Filed Oct 11, 2011 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · LA

Vehicle has needed 3 battery replacements within past 2 years. Last incident was when vehicle had been idle for 5 days and needed jump starting. Vehicle ran ok for a couple of hours but after sitting idle for about 6 hours the battery was dead again. The next day an attempt to jump start the vehicle failed. In addition, many electrical components started up. The electric windows rolled down and wipers turned on by themselves. Vehicle was towed to mazda dealership. First diagnosis was bad alternator. Alternator was overcharging. Second diagnosis was a failed cpm / computer. Dealership said overcharging alternator shorted out cpm. Also fuses etc. Had been blown out. Parts have been ordered but vehicle has not been repaired as of this note.

Filed Mar 3, 2009 · Visibility · 6,900 miles · OR

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 mazda 6. While driving approximately 68 MPH in rainy weather conditions, the windshield wipers failed to activate. The failure caused poor visibilty and occurred without warning. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunction. Due to massive rain conditions, the vehicle has not been taken in for repair. The failure and current mileages were 6,900.

Filed May 4, 2008 · Visibility · 64,174 miles · IL

4/28/08 I drove to an appointment (25 miles) at which point it began to rain. I inadvertently turned on the rear wiper an immediately turned it off once I noticed it hit the bike rack on the back. There was a strong odorous burning smell. The smell was still present on the my return trip back home. 4/29/08 I did not notice the burning smell to and from work (2 miles). 4/30/08 on a trip downtown I was caught in rush hour traffic with my kids in the car. After about 45 minutes both the kids and I noticed a strong burning smell. I asked my son to check the rear window as it appeared smoke was now coming from the window/panel area. He yelled that it was smoke and that we need to pull over. Rear wipers had been turned off since monday. We were able to get off the expressway and park to check out the damage. Upon opening the hatch a burning smell was quite intense. The plastic covering of the rear hatch (near the window) extremely hot and was too hot to touch. I immediately called the local mazda dealership to ask what I should do and I was told that the service technicians had gone home for the day (4:30pm). I figured that I could pull the fuse which would remove the power source thus preventing any further damage. My son and I were able to remove the fuse and it appeared to have solved the problem for the return trip but it was difficult to tell as the car already had a strong burning smell within. I immediately called my father (a former auto worker in michigan) to discuss this with him and he said the fuse should have blown and that it should not have escalated to the point of burning and smoking. He could provide no reason why the fuse would not have blown. I am scheduled for 5/14/08 to have this incident evaluated by the dealer.

Filed Dec 8, 2003 · Visibility · 100 miles · NH

Windshield wipers do not go fast enough during heavy rains. The fastest speed is not enough to clear the water away for visibility.