NHTSA Complaint #11506208 — 2011 MAZDA MAZDA6

During Virginia State Vehicle Safety Inspection in January 2023, the inspector noted a problem with severe rust in the rear Cross-Member (part 28-800A). The rear Cross-Member is severely rusted and crumbling at fastening and stress points. The driver side (left side) of the cross-member that secures the top of the (left) coil spring is so deteriorated that the left stopper (28-111B) became unattached from the top of the mount and is freely floating inside the coil spring, causing visible damage to the coil spring when the stopper (made of steel with rubber on bottom) and the coil spring come in contact. The same problem is occuring on the passenger side (right) of the rear crossmember as the upper mount is severely rusted and crumbling. If the Cross-Member mounts collapse or the Coil Springs break while the vehicle is moving, the driver would have extreme difficulty maintaining safe control of the vehicle.