Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues

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Mon 6 May 2019 22:55
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - eustace

I'm looking into buying a used Mazda 6 Petrol.

Can folks in the know advice me of any known issues, how prevalent they are and what the overall reliability of the car is like.

The intrinsic issues I have discovered so far are;

1) steering wheel torque sensor issues.

https://forum.mazda6club.com/newbie-section/258510-mazda-6-steering-rack-sensor-problem.html

I understand that if you take it to Mazda, it costs £2000 for a new steering rack.

But looks like ecu-testing offers a cheaper fix.

2) Passenger Airbag warning light stays on.

Mazda UK attributes this problem to the over use and frequent adjustments to the passenger seats, causing the passenger seat sensor (which detects presence of a front passenger) to give problems. Sometimes this is just a wiring loose contact issue. Sometimes the entire passenger seat base and the sensor needs to be replaced.

However Mazda US is doing a general recall for 2009 -2010 Mazda 6 to fix the airbag sensor issues.

https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1105947_2009-2010-mazda-mazda6-recalled-for-airbag-problem

The problem seems to be due to moisture getting inside airbag control computers, which causes the power supplies to get damaged and fail (see below link).

https://www.simien.com/blog/vehicles-recalled-continental-airbag-problem.html.

This is in addition to the global takata airbag recall and fix issue.

3) MOUNTING POINTS FOR SEAT RUNNER MAY FAIL

This is a problem for which Mazda has issued a recall, including in the UK, to fix this issue.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5685758

4) Takata airbag recall issue

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mazda-recalls-270000-vehicles-over-takata-airbags-explosion-risk/

I am less concerned over issues 3 and 4 as Mazda seems to have issued recalls to fix these issues. But any idea how prevalent are the first two issues above?

Other than the above are there any other endemic issues with this car (petrol variant)?

Review sites generally acclaim it as having the best drive among large family cars, and on par with the Mondeo.

I haven't heard much about rust issues with the Mazda 6 2nd gen cars. That seems to have been fixed.

Another point about this car, is that Mazdas don't have a service book. They maintain a digital service record of services done at Mazda. So it's very difficult to ascertain whether a car has a full service history, as used car dealers rarely have the actual invoices of services done, if it is done outside the Mazda network....

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Mon 6 May 2019 23:51
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - eustace

What I'm trying to determine is whether such issues are normal for any 10/ 11 year old cars, and whether despite these potential issues, is the Mazda 6 of this age still a good buy.

Perhaps because of the rarity of these issues, and the fact that one is buying it at a depreciated price now, that fixing such an issue if it does occur, will still leave you with a good car, for a economical price...

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Tue 7 May 2019 00:54
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - SLO76
Relax a bit, you’re taking things too far. Do this kind of research on any decade old design and you’ll find loads of recalls and known faults. If you buy a good, well maintained, longterm owned example and thoroughly check it then you should be fine. There’s loads of older 6’s on our roads, many of them with little to no value left yet they keep on going and keep passing Mots. They’re good cars. Not as robust as the equivalent Toyota or Honda but nicer to drive and more reliable than most.
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Tue 7 May 2019 02:10
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - eustace

i Know! I always overthink car purchases, because I consider them as a long term commitment. Though as my wife often reminds me, I didn't take so long to decide on marriage. :-)

Of the faults above, the one that really bothers me is the 2nd one, regarding the airbag control unit.

https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-continental-airbags-recall-20160204-story.html

It looks like continental itself have asked the manufacturers to recall and replace the airbags, and this is being done in the U.S.

The other thing is that when checking the MOT histories of several Mazda 6 cars, I have come across the advisory regarding the SRS warning light remaining on.

But when I checked with Mazda customer service, they say that they are unaware of any such recall...

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Tue 7 May 2019 08:18
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - trebor1
It seems you already have a list of reasons not to buy the car, you are clearly worried about issues that ‘could’ occur rather than having a car with those issues.

Solution? Spend a bit more and get a car with a decent warranty, you might be able to sleep at night again then :-)
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Tue 7 May 2019 11:04
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - eustace

Actually Trebor, The MAzda 6 is being considered after a long process of elimination. :-)

I have created a decision tree of options, of cars starting from £7500 downwards (the maximum amount I could pay). I could get a good Honda Civic for £7500. But if I am paying that kind of money, I'd rather go for a more future proof option like a hybrid car. But used hybrids are at the moment overpriced, because of only Toyota used cars being currently in the market, and due to the strong demand from uber drivers.

So I was considering bangernomic options and trying to determine what would be the least risky / best value for money option...

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Tue 7 May 2019 11:23
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - trebor1

Actually Trebor, The MAzda 6 is being considered after a long process of elimination. :-)

I have created a decision tree of options, of cars starting from £7500 downwards (the maximum amount I could pay). I could get a good Honda Civic for £7500. But if I am paying that kind of money, I'd rather go for a more future proof option like a hybrid car. But used hybrids are at the moment overpriced, because of only Toyota used cars being currently in the market, and due to the strong demand from uber drivers.

So I was considering bangernomic options and trying to determine what would be the least risky / best value for money option...

I get that but it seems you are over analysing what could go wrong , any car can go wrong and the mazda 6 is not perfect ( i has one about 4 years ago it was ok but from memory had intermittent engine miss fire issues and compared to the mondeo estate i replaced it with was no where near as nice to drive. That said the diesel mondeo had no end of random limp home problems! I always buy cars with full service history's but that does not guarantee trouble free motoring. If your research leads you to the mazda 6 then go for it just buy a used car warranty to have some peace of mind. Atb :-)
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Tue 7 May 2019 08:18
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - Falkirk Bairn

Just avoid Mazda diesels.

The other issue is that reading about any 10 year old car throws up issues & reading about averages in the reliability of a 10 year old car.

In general the Mazda 6 petrol cars are good - that however is comment in general. The problem for a punter is they are not buying "an average Mazda 6" they are choosing maybe 1 after looking at say 5/6 that are for sale locally.

Condition, Condition, Condition - service history, proof of mileage, accident damage,..................

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Tue 7 May 2019 09:49
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - pd

Airbag lights often come on on these cars.

It is just the connector under the seat, usually a quick wiggle fixes it. If that doesn't work then some contact cleaner can solve it or worse case just soldering the wires together. It isn't a big thing.

The driver's seat collapsing on it's runner is quite common but as you say Mazda will fix this for free.

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Tue 7 May 2019 10:59
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - eustace

Thanks, PD! That is helpful information.

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Fri 23 Aug 2019 14:08
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - Andrew JUMO

Wow.. You are not alone in this.. I go from rwading great reviews then go on to bad rwviews endlessly lol.. I know you posted this ages ago but its helped me not only your queations but also the replies to you. I am looking at a Mazda6 2.2d sport.. Been seeing posts of issues the clogging up of the filters or dpf issues.. But like the model.. Might jus bite the bullet.... Mileage is 87000...

If its worth ur time let me know how you are gettin On with yours ??????

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Fri 23 Aug 2019 15:37
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - Avant

The usual advice on here is still to avoid Mazda diesels, particularly if buying used. Too many potentially ruinous engine problems.

A petrol Mazda on the other hand should be a good reliable buy which is also generally considered good to drive.

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Fri 23 Aug 2019 23:37
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - SLO76
“I am looking at a Mazda6 2.2d sport.. Been seeing posts of issues the clogging up of the filters or dpf issues.. But like the model.. Might jus bite the bullet.... Mileage is 87000...”

Cease, desist, do not press go. This is an unwise buy. Loads and loads of problems with this engine. Stick with the reliable petrols instead.
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Fri 23 Aug 2019 16:55
Mazda 6 - Mazda 6 2008 - 2009 - ownership experience /issues - FP

"... Mazdas don't have a service book. They maintain a digital service record of services done at Mazda. So it's very difficult to ascertain whether a car has a full service history, as used car dealers rarely have the actual invoices of services done, if it is done outside the Mazda network...."

It's true about the digital service record. When I bought my second-hand CX-5 it had been serviced at Mazda main dealers and I was provided with a print-out. Since I've been running it, my trusted indie has been servicing it.

Apparently there's nothing to stop an independent garage signing up to the Mazda scheme, but my people reckon it's too much hassle and expense. I've been religiously keeping the invoices which record all the work done on the car.

I have to say this has been minimal - the oil is changed every year (= c. 9000 miles) and I've bought tyres. Nothing ever needs topping up apart from the petrol tank and the screen washer reservoir. Long may it continue!

Edited by FP on 23/08/2019 at 19:06

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