Mazda MAZDA6 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 434 owner complaints and 22 recalls on file for the Mazda MAZDA6 (2005–2021). The 2016 MAZDA6 has the most serious complaints, most often about brakes.

Complaints
434
Recalls
22
Model years
17
Worst year
2016

Complaints by model year

1200511620073762009415720111992013341420153652201752420192172021
NHTSA complaints per Mazda MAZDA6 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Mazda MAZDA6 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 — 36 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Brakes
  2. 2011 Mazda MAZDA6 — 57 complaints, 3 crashes; top problem: Suspension
  3. 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 — 76 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Suspension
  4. 2014 Mazda MAZDA6 — 34 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Electrical System
  5. 2017 Mazda MAZDA6 — 52 complaints; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2005 (1 complaints).

Every Mazda MAZDA6 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2021 MAZDA6170000Engine
2020 MAZDA620000Body & Structure
2019 MAZDA640001Engine
2018 MAZDA6520102Engine
2017 MAZDA6520011Electrical System
2016 MAZDA6364061Brakes
2015 MAZDA6141003Brakes
2014 MAZDA6344024Electrical System
2013 MAZDA690004Suspension
2012 MAZDA6190006Suspension
2011 MAZDA6573036Suspension
2010 MAZDA6412009Suspension
2009 MAZDA6761008Suspension
2008 MAZDA630003Suspension
2007 MAZDA661013Airbags
2006 MAZDA6110003Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2005 MAZDA610003Body & Structure

Most common Mazda MAZDA6 problem areas (all years)

  • Suspension
    123 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    69 complaints
  • Electrical System
    62 complaints
  • Engine
    59 complaints
  • Airbags
    31 complaints
  • Steering
    28 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    27 complaints
  • Brakes
    26 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    24 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    15 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Mazda MAZDA6 received by NHTSA each month.

Mazda MAZDA6 recalls

  • Recall 21V875000Nov 12, 2021121,038 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V782000Oct 31, 201969,879 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2009–2012

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 19V781000Oct 31, 201947,006 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2005–2008

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 19V497000Jun 27, 2019262,220 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V323000Apr 25, 201951,118 vehiclesModel years 2011–2013

    Risk: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V717000Oct 12, 2018155,436 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2010–2013

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 18V631000Sep 14, 201850,176 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010

    Risk: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V402000Jun 15, 2018308,591 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2005–2008

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 18V018000Jan 9, 201870,227 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2009–2013

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 17V546000Aug 31, 201751,943 vehiclesModel years 2016

    Risk: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

  • Recall 17V474000Jul 26, 2017308,992 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2005–2008

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 17V457000Jul 18, 201779,402 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2009–2012

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 17V429000Jun 29, 2017205,377 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2009–2011

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 17V393000Jun 22, 2017227,814 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V753000Oct 18, 2016180 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: A vehicle continuously driven with the turn signal flashing may result in confusion to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 16V594000Aug 11, 201641,918 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010

    Risk: Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 14V675000Oct 27, 201499,711 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V170000Apr 3, 201419,000 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If the tank is overfilled, gas may flow into the charcoal canister (an evaporative emissions component) and possibly leak from the canister's external vent, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 14V173000Apr 3, 20145,700 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V114000Mar 11, 201442,000 vehiclesModel years 2010–2012

    Risk: Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 13V425000Sep 24, 2013161,400 vehiclesModel years 2009–2013

    Risk: If all three door latch mounting screws become excessively loose the door latch mechanism would not engage and the door might open while the vehicle is in motion increasing the risk of accident or injury.

  • Recall 11V134000Feb 25, 201152,000 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010

    Risk: As the canister is purged repeatedly during normal operation, the stress on the fuel tank may eventually result in a crack, potentially leading to fuel leakage ad an increased risk of fire.

Other Mazda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology