Mazda MAZDA6 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 2,232 consumer complaints across the 19 model years of the Mazda MAZDA6 (2002–2021) that have at least 5 complaints. 2009 has the most, with 386. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (636 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All MAZDA6 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17 | — | 0 | 301 | — | Falling |
| 2019 | 6 | 53,000 | 1 | 419 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 58 | 11,400 | 2 | 549 | 10 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 60 | 23,450 | 1 | 516 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 77 | 29,774 | 1 | 670 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 60 | 21,500 | 3 | 609 | 47 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 137 | 39,000 | 4 | 757 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 23 | 50,000 | 4 | 238 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 99 | 66,000 | 6 | 247 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 135 | 89,914 | 6 | 248 | 44 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 225 | 80,000 | 9 | 250 | 75 · More | Stable |
| 2009 | 386 | 80,856 | 9 | 254 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2008 | 111 | 65,000 | 4 | 216 | 55 · Typical | Rising |
| 2007 | 156 | 77,750 | 4 | 221 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 173 | 75,000 | 3 | 192 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 147 | 58,000 | 3 | 192 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 160 | 66,100 | 4 | 193 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 174 | 24,990 | 6 | 178 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 28 | 48,611 | 1 | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags636 30%
- Body and structure295 14%
- Other or unknown230 11%
- Electrical system228 11%
- Suspension226 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain198 9.4%
- Brakes146 7.0%
- Engine138 6.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “I was stopped at a red light in town and went to make a left hand turn when I heard a loud pop and then a springing noise. I myself looked under the car and just assumed I ran over something and it hit the bottom of the car. I had a friend look under it also and he didn't see anything either. I just found this out yesterday when it failed inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #11342664, filed 2020-08, 138,000 miles2010: “Passenger side dash started melting about a year ago and has gotten so bad the dash is almost liquid. Sunlight reflects off the shiny melted dash and blinds the driver. I was in an accident because I couldn't see due to light reflecting off melted dash. Dash is so sticky that you cannot touch or it will stick to hands/ clothing. I have ruined multiple items of clothing due to this mess.”
NHTSA complaint #11386507, filed 2021-01, 90,000 miles2011: “I was on a street in the city waiting for the light to change. Suddenly I lost control of the car, the card accelerated himself. I try to and put brake to the bottom but anyway I hit the car in front of me. Much of the front of my car is broken. The other car was damaged in the back of their car. The police made a report of what happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11209918, filed 2019-05, 76,000 milesOther Mazda models
3,125 complaintsMazda MAZDA3
2,991 complaintsMazda CX-5
2,469 complaintsMazda Tribute
2,098 complaintsMazda CX-9
1,493 complaintsMazda CX-7
1,133 complaintsMazda Protege
1,074 complaintsMazda MPV
936 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology