Investigations
Front Subframe Corrosion
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE18006 — closed, opened 2018-05-21 and involving the MAZDA MAZDA6.
NHTSA investigation PE18006 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2018-05-21 and currently closed. The subject of record is MAZDA MAZDA6, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MAZDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2018-11-02 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE18006 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "In a letter dated September 14, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a defect in the front subframe assemblies of model year (MY) 2009 throu..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related MAZDA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
In a letter dated September 14, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a defect in the front subframe assemblies of model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Mazda6 vehicles in certain states with high road salt use in winter months (Recall 18V-631). The recall covers approximately 48,814 vehicles that were sold or ever registered in the following states and District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Mazda indicated that the recalled vehicles may have insufficient paint coating on the front cross member, which after continuous use in salt states may cause premature corrosion of the cross member. As the corrosion progresses over time, the structural integrity of the mounting point at the passenger side of the lower control arm may deteriorate and cause the steering alignment to change. If the steering alignment changes significantly while the vehicle is in motion this may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. ODI's analysis of complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and Mazda complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE18-006 identified a total of 53 non-duplicative reports alleging incidents in which front cross-member corrosion had progressed to the stage of complete or partial separation of the subject steering or suspension components and another 98 reports alleging premature and/or excessive corrosion of the subject components with no separation. Mazda's recall will inspect the subframe and apply structural reinforcements, anti-corrosive wax and an AC drain tube free of charge. In cases of excessive corrosion, the subframe will be replaced free of charge. All 53 complaints alleging complete or partial separations involved vehicles tha
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other MAZDA Investigations
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Lower ball joint separation
Brake Booster Failure
Door Latch Failures Due to Loose Screws
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.