NHTSA Complaint #11090944 — 2009 MAZDA MAZDA6

I WAS DRIVING TO A MEDICAL APPT ON LOCAL ROADS WHEN I NOTICED A THUMPING SOUND FROM THE FRONT LEFT, AS IF THE TIRE WERE GOING FLAT. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS, SO I CONTINUED ON TO THE APPT LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. LEAVING THE APPT I FELT THE CAR SUDDENLY PULLING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE DSC-OFF LIGHT CAME ON. TURNING RIGHT CAUSED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP THAT WAS FORTUNATELY ONLY A MILE OR SO AWAY. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME (RIGHT SIDE). THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD HIT A POTHOLE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MAY HAVE BROKEN OFF, ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A USED SUBFRAME, AND NEW SUBFRAMES ARE ON BACKORDER UNTIL JUNE - LEAVING ME TO FIND ALTERNATE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR AT LEAST A MONTH. LIVING IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE I EXPECT CARS TO RUST, BUT A 9 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE DETERIORATED TO SUCH A LEVEL THIS QUICKLY.