Mazda Mazda6 Problems by Year

We compared every Mazda Mazda6 model year from 2002–2021 using 2,232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 28 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2003, which drew far more complaints than other Mazda6 years at the same age. The best years are 2019, 2013 and 2021.

19model years
2,232complaints
28recalls
2009, 2010worst years
2019, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’2128174160147173156111386225135992313760776058617
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda Mazda6. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202117−50%—EngineGood
20196−85%1SteeringGood
201858−22%2EngineAverage
201760−27%1ElectricalAverage
201677−13%1BrakeAverage
201560−33%3BrakeAverage
20141371.5×4ElectricalCaution
201323−75%4BrakeGood
201299typical6AirbagAverage
2011135typical6SuspensionAverage
20102252.1×9BodyAvoid
20093862.9×9BodyAvoid
20081111.2×4AirbagAverage
20071561.3×4AirbagAverage
2006173typical3AirbagAverage
2005147−31%3AirbagAverage
2004160typical4AirbagAverage
20031741.5×6EngineCaution
200228−64%1TransmissionGood

* Complaints compared with the median Mazda6 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mazda Mazda6 problems

Latest Mazda Mazda6 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 21V-875 · Nov 12, 2021 · 121,038 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-781 · Oct 31, 2019 · 47,006 vehiclesDo not drive

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-782 · Oct 31, 2019 · 69,879 vehiclesDo not drive

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.

Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA recall 19V-497 · Jun 27, 2019 · 262,220 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.

Structure

NHTSA recall 19V-323 · Apr 25, 2019 · 51,118 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode…

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of…

All 28 Mazda Mazda6 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda Mazda6 should you avoid?

2009, 2010, 2014 and 2003 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Mazda6 years at the same age, led by body & structure problems in the 2009.

What is the best year for the Mazda Mazda6?

2019 has the fewest complaints compared with other Mazda6 years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mazda Mazda6 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (636), body & structure (295) and engine & cooling (233). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Mazda Mazda6 had?

28 recalls across 2002–2021. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Mazda Mazda6 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.