Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 7 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 3% | 11,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% | 39,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | 17,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 188,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 114,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 3% | 66,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 10% | 98,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% | 33,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle exhibits dangerous electronic malfunctions. A licensed technician (MV-113255) has confirmed a sporadic unintended acceleration defect where the cruise control 'decrease' button causes the vehicle to increase speed. Additionally, the vehicle repeatedly enters 'Limp Mode' in active traffic, causing a violent jerk and a total loss of acceleration while displaying a 'Smart City Brake Support' (SCBS) failure on the dashboard. An independent inspection also documented gross mechanical neglect, including loose battery terminals and a loose transmission bellhousing bolt, which may contribute to these intermittent electrical/safety failures.
When driving, after a period of 10 - 20 minutes usually, of the adaptive cruise being on (not necessarily in use), the buttons on the steering wheel will re-map. That is, the + button for adjusting the cruise speed up by 1 mph increments will switch with the - button that adjusts the cruise speed down by 1 mph increments. This happens reliably... if I've driven the car with adaptive cruise on for more that 10 - 20 minutes, the buttons will re-map. + slows the car down or doesn't work at all (does nothing). - speeds the car up. Also, rarely, the cancel button will speed the car up. Often the cancel button will not work and the only way to disengage the adaptive cruise is to tap on the brake pedal. Less frequently--maybe about 1/3 - 1/2 of the time, the "off" button, which turns the adaptive cruise off entirely, will not work. Note, that this is not the "engage" or "enable" button. …
The car had a (SUA) Sudden Unintended Acceleration malfunction. No, the car was totaled and towed away. My safety was put at risk as I was slowly pulling into a parking spot, eased my foot onto the brake and this malfunction caused my car to involuntarily jolt into a rampant high speed. It jumped a curb and crashed into a tree. My brake was useless in stopping this runaway vehicle. The only thing that stopped it was that tree! The airbag deployed and I was badly bruised from the airbag. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians or other cars near mine. There were no warning lights or messages before, during or after the accident. It happened so quickly because the tree was only a few feet in front of my car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mazda 6. While pulling into the parking spot and depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated. The vehicle crashed into a tree and the engine continued to rev as if attempting to continue accelerating. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained bruises to the upper body, which did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was able to feel the vehicle attempting to accelerate on its own. The vehicle was taken to the sea coast Mazda dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000. Updated 09/07/17
Tl * the contact owns a 2006 Mazda 6. While driving at an unknown speed in a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The acceleration continued even after the hand brake was applied. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the side of a truck, tree, and transformer before finally crashing into a metal fence. The air bags failed to deploy. The police were called and the vehicle was towed. There were no injuries. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the manufacturer was not. The vehicle was not repaired. There were no injuries. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. Updated 08/12/14
Tl contact owns a 2006 Mazda 6. While stopped at a traffic light the vehicle accelerated without warning striking another vehicle. There was damage to the front bumper and the headlights however there were no injuries. The road conditions were dry. The vehicle was drive-able. The dealer has not diagnosed the vehicle. The current and failure mileage was 30,000. The engine size was unavailable.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Mazda 6. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The brake pedal was depressed to the floor, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact mentioned that the vehicle accelerated up to 50 MPH and stopped after the emergency brake was engaged and the ignition key was removed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V345000 (air bags), 15V382000 (air bags), 15V869000 (air bags), and 16V354000 (air bags) and stated that the parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The car unexpectedly accelerated with my foot of the gas pedal. I was driving around a curb at about 20 MPH and all of sudden it increased to 40 mphs, and the RPM needle jumped up and down, and finally it got stuck at 3rps. I was on a flat surface and the vehicle continued to accelerate and make loud engine sounds. I tired to brake but the car continued to accelerate, I kept driving until I was able to let other cars pass, and pull over and put it in neutral. In neutral the car still accelerated, and made noises, that I then put it in parked. However in park the RPM was still stuck at 3 and the MPH needle bounce between 0-40 MPH. Finally after a minute the needle drop to 0 MPH, and I turned the car off and restarted it. After waiting 5 minutes I restarted the car and it acted like nothing ever happen. The next day after driving 15 minutes it repeated the same activity. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda6 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (18), 2014 (9), 2004 (7), 2005 (7) and 2016 (7) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda6 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Mazda Mazda6 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda6 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cables (1 mentions), followed by the throttle (1).
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.