The Mazda 6 is a large family saloon car and one of the most popular vehicles produced by this well known Japanese manufacturer. It represents the embodiment of a new design ethos employed by Mazda in 2002 known as the Stylish, Insightful and Spirited philosophy. Since its introduction on the world stage, it’s sold over one million units, beating all previous Mazda sales records. As with all cars, there are common problems with the Mazda 6, and in this article we look at some of the most likely issues to trouble owners of this well known vehicle.
Diesel Particulate Filter
The diesel particulate filter or DPF removes harmful particles from the exhaust fumes when the car is running. The Mazda 6 needs to be allowed to warm up and reach top levels of performance for this part to function properly. Using the car for small runs, such as shopping trips, can lead to the part can becoming clogged. The DPF light should flash once upon ignition and then go off after a few seconds. If the light starts flashing whilst the car is running, we’d suggest that you try taking the car for an extensive drive – it’s recommended that you run it for around ten miles in fourth gear whilst not letting the engine drop below 2,500 rpm. If you run the car at this level and this doesn’t solve the DPF light issue, then you may need to have the DPF manually regenerated by a dealer. This will save you the cost of getting a new part, as a replacement can be quite expensive.
Suspension
Any problems with the suspension on the Mazda 6 can be picked up during the ride. Listen to the car whilst in motion – if you hear a clicking sound as you pass over pot holes or bumps in the road then the most likely culprit is the front suspension drop links, which are known to be susceptible to failure. These parts cannot be maintained or fixed, requiring replacement in the event of fatigue and excessive wear.
Tyre Monitoring System
The Mazda 6 monitors the pressure in the tyre using a special sensor installed in the tyre valve, reporting any problems via a special TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) light on the dashboard. These sensors are known to sometimes wear out prematurely. If the system light is on, then it’s advisable to check the state of the monitoring valves on each of the tyre for rust and damage. Make sure that the car also doesn’t have metal dust caps fitted, as these can increase the chance of corrosion on the valves. If you do find premature wear on these valves then you’ll need to have the faulty parts replaced.
Seats
If you’re experiencing a creaking noise in your Mazda 6 when cornering, then it’s likely that you’ve got problems with the bolts in the car that hold the seats in place. This is a known design weakness in the front seats of the car. This can be simply solved however by removing the seats and tightening the bolts that hold the frame in place.
Electric Windows
Owners of Mazda 6s have reported a large amount of problems with the electric windows in the car. This fault can sometimes be down to a faulty battery failing to supply proper power to the windows, however this isn’t always the case. In the case of faults with the electric windows, such as the windows opening when the car doors are locked, this system can often be fixed with a simple reset, which can be performed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. If these problems persist it may be necessary to have a mechanic check the wiring to the electric window motors and the performance of the parts.
Summary
If you do experience any of the listed problems with your Mazda 6 then it’s often worth getting a second opinion before taking on any work yourself, unless you are a good, confident mechanic. Many of the problems we’ve listed can be solved by yourself, however the most common problem we’ve listed is the clogging of the DPF. It is difficult to regenerate this part without the proper facilities, and we would always recommend seeing a mechanic if your car is experiencing this issue.
For affordable replacement engines, gearboxes and more, check out our new and used Mazda 6 parts page.
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