Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2018 | 7 | 12% | 49,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% | 13,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 7% | 32,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% | 67,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% | 102,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% | 21,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% | 97,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% | 37,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 101,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 19,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 9% | 87,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was also notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated upon taken the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, the dealer notified the contact of a fuel leak. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the top of the fuel tank and bolts connected to the fuel pump were significantly rusted, causing the fuel leak. The dealer determined that the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance would be provided because the contact had already authorized the dealer to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Fuel smell in & outside of vehicle after fuel fill, being a retired Master Technician I decided to investigate this and after removing the the fuel tank access door under the rear seat I was shocked to see that on an 8 year old vehicle the fuel sender retainer is completely rusted out. An overfill, an aggressive maneuver or small collision could prove disastrous with this condition pending! I have just ordered a replacement since I intend to repair this myself and that is only of the tank itself is not compromised when I proceed to remove the rusted out screws as well. Also after further investigation I find this is nothing new to Mazda and actually had this same condition in previous years but I assume chose not to prevent it from happening in future models. I will be attaching a photo of it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mazda 6. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle eventually restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and brake lines were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted after the engine system malfunction warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that after refueling, the odor of fuel was present inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking underneath the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred whenever there was more than 3/4 tank full of fuel in the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Was following a car and came up to a stop light. I depressed brake pedal and felt some resistance but car would not stop. Felt like the brakes were being bled off by perhaps computer control. I switched into a right hand turn lane that was clear, car still not stopping. Shifted into neutral, and engine started to rev up perhaps to 4500 RPM or so, then engine went back to idle on its own. The car had stopped and I put it in park. We then turned right and cautiously proceeded home, without a further problem. Took to dealer and requested the memory be analyzed, they said they could not read the black box at the dealership. It showed no faults. Test drive was uneventful. I again requested the black box be analyzed as the brakes appeared to be bleeding off. They said they would let me know if Mazda needed anything more. …
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle would stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal as a fuel odor would emit from the vehicle. The check engine light would also appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel line O-ring seal on three separate occasions. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. In addition, there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V170000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Related recalls (6)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, through May 9, 2013. In the affected vehicles, it is possible to fill the fuel tank beyond its rated capacity.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will inspect and add an adapter to the shut off valve in the fuel tank and also inspect the charcoal canister for the presence of gasoline, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, through May 2, 2011, and equipped with 2.5L engine. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive…
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 mazda6 vehicles manufactured from April 8, 2008, through February 8, 2010. A certain type of spider May weave a web in the evaporative canister vent line and this May cause a restriction in the line.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and clean up the canister vent line, and install a spring to prevent this type of spider from entering the vent line. This service will be performed free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Mazda is recalling 7,200 my 2007-2008 mazda6 vehicles with california emission specifications. The metal fuel tanks on the affected vehicles May have had the pvc protective coating on the outside of the fuel tank damaged during the assembly process which May result in reduced corrosion resistance.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the bottom surface of the fuel tank for damage to the protective coating and, if necessary, repair the coating or replace the fuel tank. The recall began on August 28, 2008.
Show 1 more recall
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel sender unit (fsu) May have been improperly installed in the fuel tank, producing an inadequate seal, and fuel May leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the top of the fuel tank, and if necessary, repair or replace it. Owner notification began February 9, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank sending unit seal leak
In some of the subject vehicles, the fsu lock ring seal May have been installed improperly.the fuel tank May be assembled with insufficient compression on the fsu lock ring seal due to cross-threading the lock ring, the seal May be out of position at the time of installation,or the fuel tank May be assembled with insufficient compression on the seal due to distortion of the tank shell.each of these conditions May…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda6 years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (15), 2009 (11), 2018 (7), 2004 (6) and 2006 (6) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda6 fuel system problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 21V-875 (fuel pump, Nov 12, 2021); 14V-170 (tank assembly, Apr 3, 2014); 14V-114 (fuel system, gasoline, Mar 11, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda6 fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the storage › tank assembly (5 mentions), followed by the delivery › fuel pump (4).
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.