2012 Mazda MAZDA6 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 28%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6, 28% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlight bulbs go out often, have to bang on the light to get it to go back on, I can change bulbs and it will go a couple of months before it starts to go out again. Have to take the bumper off to change the light bulb so it is a hassle. After checking the internet I see there are a whole lot of Mazda owners with the same problem”
NHTSA complaint #10954011, filed 2017-02, 35,000 miles“My low beam headlights keep burning out. I have lost count of how many times I have changed one out. Not only is this dangerous, it can get expensive. Then two weeks ago, a rear brake light blew. This is insane. I have complained to the dealership, but to no avail.”
NHTSA complaint #11072236, filed 2018-02, 73,000 miles“I've been replacing both of my headlights every 6 months. This is the third time since I have owned this vehicle that I had to buy replacement bulbs. I took it to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong with the electrical system but hear I am replacing the same low beam bulbs again.”
NHTSA complaint #10704579, filed 2015-04, 73,580 miles“I have owned my vehicle since aug 2013, and have replaced the headlights on driver and passenger side 4 times already. This last time I had both headlights blow out on me at the same time I don't understand why this isn't recalled yet. I see many complaints regarding this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10680122, filed 2015-01, 36,000 miles“I noticed my passenger side low beam was out on my 2012 MAZDA6. After searching online for how to change the bulb, I found hundreds of people who had fixed the issue by lightly hitting the side of the headlight cover. I tried it and it fixed it! Since it has gone out again (just a week later) and came back on when I went over a bumpy area in the road. I live in an area with a light ordinance and the roads are pitch black enough to see every star in the sky at night. This is a huge safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10806394, filed 2015-11, 71,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10154529Mar 15, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10153332Jan 3, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10134701Mar 22, 2018Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10118468Aug 9, 2017When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first determine if all the bulb sockets (including O-ring), seals and…
- 10111011Mar 9, 2017Take caution when cleaning plastic headlight lenses. Damage can occur when using some cleaners that contain strong acid, alkaline cleanser or organic solvent. Damage caused by…
- 10092413Apr 28, 2016Some customers may complain about improper operation of the auto-dimming mirror. This may be caused by an obstruction of the front and/or rear light sensor(s) (e.g. Hanging a…
- 10213417Feb 5, 2016Passenger fAirbag deactivation (PAD) indicator light illumination
- 10213421Jan 25, 2016Condensation/Fog in front and rear combination lights
- 10100888Jan 25, 2016Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/tail-light) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted…
- 10098885Nov 24, 2014When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the headlamp unit, first determine if all the bulb sockets are present and correctly…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 17% |
| 2012 | 28 | 28% |
| 2011 | 11 | 8% |
| 2010 | 21 | 9% |
| 2009 | 15 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6
30 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology