2002 Mazda MAZDA6 Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,611miles, 24 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 12 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling (10) and other or unknown (3). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,611 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling10 36%
- Other or unknown3 11%
- Air bags2 7.1%
- Brakes2 7.1%
- Electrical system2 7.1%
- Equipment2 7.1%
- Tires2 7.1%
- Exterior lighting1 3.6%
- Seat belts1 3.6%
Also reported: Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “At apporx. 48k miles, the o/d light continued to flash on and off, after taking it to a mechanic they stated it needed a new speed censor, after replacing said part the problem still continued, I took it to a Mazda service dealer, who told me I need a new transmission, with less than 52k miles on it??”
NHTSA complaint #10125489, filed 2005-06, 48,000 milesEngine cooling: “I 've had to replace the water overflow bottle (sub tank) three times. Each time there was a pin hold in them, which allows the car to run hot and shut down. I truly believe there is a defect with those bottles. I own a 2002 Mazda 626. I had to purchase the bottles each time. They request that you give up old for the new.”
NHTSA complaint #10154845, filed 2006-04, 87,002 milesOther or unknown: “Mazda tribute 2002- when car accelerates over 40 miles per hour it sounds as if it is going over a grating. It shudders and jerks. It has been occurring since we purchased this new car in 2002. Brought this car to dealer several times and it has been hard to determine the cause. Dealer flushed transmission. Car is still,shuddering, grinding at acceleration. Any one out there have the same problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10137565, filed 2005-09, 5 milesAir bags: “Stopped on highway due to police activity. Vehicle was struck from behind at 40 MPH causing the seats to collapse followed by a front-side collision in which the air bags failed to deploy. There were no consequences of the failure and the part was not replaced due to the total loss of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10177584, filed 2007-01, 49,222 milesMileage when problems were reported
54% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,900 and 68,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 03V207000Jun 5, 2003Parking brake › Indicator lightCovers: Mazda MAZDA6 2002–2003
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." during production, the float in the fluid level sensor in the brake reservoir can be forced off of the guide rail…
Recall details for the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037013Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11003398Jun 7, 2024Other or unknown. Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the…
- 10243569Sep 13, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and structure. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10240496Jul 6, 2023Body and structure. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10203730Nov 19, 2021Body and structure, Equipment. Some vehicles may exhibit the inner cloth (A) falling down at the rear end causing a poor appearance and obstructing the view of the back window.
- 10200527Aug 17, 2021Equipment. This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâÂÂs floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following are possible causes of…
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021Electrical system. This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery…
- 10188015Feb 8, 2021Electrical system. The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following…
Other model years of the Mazda MAZDA6
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17 | — | 0 | 5 | 29 | — | Falling |
| 2019 | 6 | 53,000 | 1 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 58 | 11,400 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 10 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 60 | 23,450 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 77 | 29,774 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 60 | 21,500 | 3 | 5 | 30 | 47 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 137 | 39,000 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 23 | 50,000 | 4 | 4 | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 99 | 66,000 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 135 | 89,914 | 6 | — | 24 | 44 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 225 | 80,000 | 9 | — | 23 | 75 · More | Stable |
| 2009 | 386 | 80,856 | 9 | — | 23 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2008 | 111 | 65,000 | 4 | — | 24 | 55 · Typical | Rising |
| 2007 | 156 | 77,750 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 173 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 147 | 58,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 160 | 66,100 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 174 | 24,990 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 28 | 48,611 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mazda MAZDA6 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 12 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 10.
Has the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 reported?
Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,611 miles and the middle half falls between 32,900 and 68,100 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.