Recalls: Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS
- In In May 2013, a recall was issued for Mazda GG Mazda6 vehicles due to the front passenger-side airbag having potentially been assembled with an improperly manufactured propellant. In the event of a collision, the inflator may rupture and cause the airbag to deploy abnormally, increasing the risk of injury (PRA 2013/13570). The VINs of the recalled vehicles were –
- Sedans and hatches (GG): JM0 GG1031 00 101259 to JM0 GG1031 00 116497.
- In June 2015, a recall was issued for Mazda GG Mazda6 vehicles that were available for sale from 22 August 2002 to 30 March 2009. In these vehicles, the front passenger air bag inflator may have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. In the event of a collision, the combustion rate of the propellant may increase inside the inflator, causing internal pressure to rise suddenly during airbag deployment. Such deployment could cause the inflator housing to rupture and disperse metal fragments, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant (PRA 2015/14760,PRA 2015/14761 andPRA 2015/14762). The recalled Mazda6 vehicles had VINs in the following ranges –
- GG Mazda6 (22 August 2002 to 19 November 2007): JM0 GG1031 00 101238 to JM0 GG1031 00 177625;
- GG Mazda6 (29 July 2005 to 19 November 2007): JM0 GG1032 00 500011 to JM0 GG1032 00 522282;
- GG Mazda6 (28 April 2006 to 30 March 2009): JM0 GG1032 00 522007 to JM0 GG1032 00 554710; and,
- GG Mazda6 (28 April 2006 to 30 March 2009): JM0 GG10R2 00 531178 to JM0 GG10R2 00 554710.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Mazda vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Mazda Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mazda6 MPS: VVT ticking noise
In April 2012, Mazda USA issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 01-012/12) for Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS vehicles. In these vehicles, there may be a loud ticking noise from the variable valve timing (VVT) actuator when the L3-VDT engine was first started due to:
- The lock pin of the variable valve timing actuator not fully engaging; or
- A worn lock pin hole.
To fix, the cylinder head had to be removed and the VVT actuator replaced. Subsequently, heat treatment was applied to the area around the hole of the variable valve timing rotor lock pin to prevent this from happening.
Mazda6 MPS: stretched timing chain
In April 2012, Mazda USA issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 01-012/12) for Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS vehicles. When the engine was warmed up, the Mazda6 MPS may exhibit a knocking/rattling noise from the front timing cover and/or valve (cylinder head) cover at engine speeds below 2000 rpm – this noise was caused by excessive stretching of the timing chain. To fix, the timing chain needed to be replaced. The design of the timing chain was subsequently changed to overcome the problem.
Mazda6 MPS: MIL and DTC P2407
In November 2006, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-037/06 for 2006 Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS vehicles that were manufactured before 2 August 2006 and had VINs preceding JM1GG**** ** 108267. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2407 may be logged in memory – this may be due to abnormal current in the LDP sensor which exceeded the threshold of DTC P2407. Since the design specification did not meet the market need, the powertrain control module (PCM) software was changed to resolve the concern. The service bulletin described the procedure for updating the PCM.
Mazda6 MPS: sticking swirl valve actuator
In July 2007, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-010/07 for 2006-07 Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS vehicles that were produced prior to 26 February 2007 and had VINs preceding JM1 GG****** 109403.
In some of these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) would illuminate and the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2006 would be stored in memory due to the variable swirl shutter valve actuator intermittently sticking in cold weather – this was caused by inadequate spring force in the actuator. To fix, the variable swirl shutter valve actuator was to be replaced and the powertrain control module (PCM) re-programmed with new DTC detection logic.
Mazda6 MPS: oil seepage from transfer case
In January 2008, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 03-001/08 for 2006-07 Mazda6 MPS vehicles that were manufactured prior to 1 July 2006 (i.e. VINs preceding JM1GG12L*7*108052). In these vehicles, oil may seep from the transfer case due to insufficient cleaning of the mating surfaces of the front and rear cases before sealant was applied. To fix,
- The transfer case had to be removed;
- Sealant and oil had to be removed from contact surfaces and bolt holes (of both case halves) with ‘Brake Clean’;
- ‘Permatex Ultra Grey RTV’ sealant was to be applied to the case; and,
- The transfer case was to be re-installed.
For Mazda6 MPS vehicles produced after 1 July 2006, the cleaning and assembly process was improved.
Mazda6 MPS: low fuel pressure
In April 2008, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-022/08 for 2006-07 Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS vehicles. In these vehicles, delayed fuel pressure build-up at the high-pressure fuel pump may cause:
- Rough idling, stalling and/or hesitation under cold conditions;
- Intermittent lack of power during acceleration when the engine gets hot; and,
- The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to illuminate and issue Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2177/P2187 (fuel system too lean at off idle).
The service bulletin attributed the delay in fuel pressure build-up to:
- The drive current from the PCM (powertrain control module) being insufficient for some fuel pumps; or,
- Some fuel pumps having a slower response.
To fix, the PCM software and the specification of the high-pressure fuel pump were changed.
Mazda6 MPS: variable idle speed and stalling
In February 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-007/09 for Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS vehicles because of variable idle speed and, in some rare cases, stalling after the vehicle had stopped. The service bulletin attributed this behaviour to the accumulation of carbon deposits inside the throttle body which caused air flow to decrease. To fix, the throttle body needed to be removed, cleaned and re-installed using a new gasket.
Mazda GG Mazda6 MPS: Other problems and faults
- The air conditioning system may not enter its recirculation mode due to an electrical problem in the climate control unit.
- The engine may run rough or fail to start if the cam timing changes due to incomplete engagement of the key in the crankshaft sprocket.
- If the wrong type of oil filter wrench is used, the oil filter cartridge housing may be damaged, causing a leak in the housing.
- A popping noise from the front end of the vehicle when the steering wheel is turned may be attributable to the spring insulators which require replacement.
