2016 Mazda MAZDA6 Problems
Compared with other Mazda MAZDA6 years
Typical for this model
39/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.8× that of a typical Mazda MAZDA6 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 35 of its 77 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported problem: Infotainment screen reboots or goes blank (16 complaints, median 58,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017, 2018
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 77filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 29,774miles, 54 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 37 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2016 Mazda6 report a wide spread of concerns, with the most frequent being transmission hesitation and delayed engagement, brakes (particularly the electronic parking brake), and electrical/infotainment faults. Transmission complaints often arrive at very low mileage, while brake, seat and electrical concerns tend to appear later; several owners also describe sunroof glass shattering and seats that become uncomfortable or fail to adjust.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Automatic transmission delay and harsh engagement
- 8 complaints (10%)
- median 4,622 mi at 0.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 2016–2026
Owners describe a pause of several seconds after shifting from Park or Reverse into Drive before the car engages, sometimes followed by a lurch or a hard downshift while cruising. Some complaints say the dealer replaced the transmission under warranty at very low mileage; others say the dealer could not reproduce the problem or called the behavior normal. Mostly reported under about 15,000 miles, often within the first year of ownership.
What to check: Test-drive from a stop and from Reverse into Drive and note any delay or lurch, and ask whether the transmission has been serviced or replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My brand new Mazda 6 with only 6000 miles transmission quit on 3/21/16. The cars gears wouldn't engage until the rpms would hit 3000 and then the car would lurch forward. The dealer has ordered a new transmission. This seems to be a common issue with Mazda 6 and Mazda cx-5. A recall needs to be issued. This is a major safety issue. Someone could have rear ended me or I could have caused an accident. The dealer said this is the first they have heard of this but there have been 100s of reports about this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10851718, filed 2016-03, 6,000 miles“Bought my Mazda 6 new on 10/04/15 with 40 miles. On 3/26/16 at 3245 miles the transmission failed, very similarly to another complaint listed on this site that stated that there were hundreds if not more transmissions failures of this model at very low miles. My car took at least six to eight seconds to enter drive from park. While driving, the car abruptly began slamming into much lower gears than necessary with little or no change in change in the accelerator pedal. Slightest of grade change on the road only exasperates the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10854596, filed 2016-04, 3,245 miles - Brakes
Electronic parking brake will not release or light stays on
- 7 complaints (9%)
- median 43,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2018–2022
Complaints describe the electronic parking brake engaging on its own, failing to release when the car is put in gear, or the brake warning light staying illuminated while driving. Owners report that in some cases the control module was identified as the problem, while other dealers found no stored codes; some owners were told their VIN was not covered by a recall. Typically reported between roughly 34,000 and 75,000 miles, and sometimes in cold weather.
What to check: Cycle the parking brake on and off several times during a test drive and check that the brake warning light goes out; ask whether the parking brake module has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Emergency parking break light randomly comes on it when driving. If I attempt to engage parking brake in order for me to disengage it requires that I put my seatbelt on and have doors lock then put car in drive to take break off. But light still remains on.”
NHTSA complaint #11372586, filed 2020-11, 43,000 miles“2016 Mazda 6 would just randomly enraged e-brake without you engaging it and would not release, parking brake and brake lights are on. Mazda said control module was malfunctioning. Mazda(bakersfield)refuses to fix it as error codes wouldn't show up when diagnosing it. Car was first diagnosed in florida where it originally happened and that was the finding control module malfunctioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11063673, filed 2018-01, 34,000 miles - Electrical system
Infotainment screen reboots or goes blank
- 16 complaints (21%)
- median 58,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2015–2026
Owners report the center display rebooting repeatedly, going dark after startup, or losing radio, Bluetooth and rear-view camera functions. Some complaints also mention intermittent failures of key fobs and driver-assist sensors, and that dealers quoted a substantial repair cost rather than covering it. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 60,000 miles, though some appear earlier.
What to check: Start the car and watch whether the display comes up and stays on, and test the rear-view camera; ask whether any infotainment warranty extension or replacement has been applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My infotainment unit is in a constant reboot. I cannot access my car settings or radio or bluetooth, and the rear view camera is not working every time. It was fine and then it wasnt. I took it to the dealer and they told me it would be 1500 dollars. I see a lot of people with this problem in my research. I think this should be a recall because it is a safety issue since I cannot access my car settings, my camera is not working and my alert for when someone is behind me is also not working. I have a video of the reboot. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352930, filed 2020-09, 60,000 miles“Various software control features transiently stop working. The navigation system has failed to come on several times. The key fob stops working and then works again.the problems are always transient and then start working again. The worst thing that happened was the front sensor failed to work and a small pole was hit and did damage to the front fender.”
NHTSA complaint #11180236, filed 2019-02, 58,000 miles - Seats
Seat discomfort and seat track / heater faults
Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe the seat and headrest angle pushing the head and legs into an awkward position on longer drives, and in some cases the power seat sticking in one position or a seat heater overheating. Complaints say dealers often described the seating position as normal, while others were told the seat assembly needed replacing. Reported across a wide range, from nearly new vehicles to over 80,000 miles, often after longer drives.
What to check: Sit in and adjust both front seats through their full range, and check that the seat heater warms evenly without hot spots.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driver seat alignment after driving for any period of time drivers left legs begins to feel discomfort or stress to the outside of left knee due to seat being angled left. Pressure from left footrest and wheel wall forces driver to retract leg and plant into floor closer to the seat. This is consistent with every time I have driven also it was confirm by a Mazda sales associate.”
NHTSA complaint #11205955, filed 2019-05, 36,900 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the driver’s seat was previously moved backward; however, when her daughter attempted to move the seat forward to drive the vehicle, the seat remained stuck in the rearward position. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, who informed the contact that the wire connecting the seat motor to the seat track had fractured. The dealer informed the contact that the entire seat assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11510423, filed 2023-03, 85,000 miles - Other or unknown
Sunroof glass shattering
- 5 complaints (6%)
- median 8,900 mi at 0.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- filed 2015–2024
Complaints describe a loud pop and the sunroof glass breaking or shattering upward while driving or while parked, with glass falling into the cabin. Owners report that the dealer replaced the glass under warranty or as a goodwill repair in some cases, and in others declined related damage such as torn upholstery or paint. Reported at very low mileage, often within the first several thousand miles and in the first year.
What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass and surround for chips, cracks or uneven fit, and ask whether the panel has ever been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The sunroof in my car exploded and partially shattered while parked in my work's parking lot. Glass was all over the exterior and interior of the car. What glass was left had cracked completely and was unstable. I was able to get the car to my local Mazda dealer and they are replacing it under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10809030, filed 2015-12, 8,900 miles“2016 Mazda 6 had a sunroof that exploded on jan 11, 2017 while driving. It sounded like a gunshot and I almost wrecked. It exploded upward and out of the vehicle although we had a lot of glass that rained back in on us and the inside of her car. The vehicle was only 8 months old. Mazda replaced the sunroof out of good will (as they put it) her vehicle is not the first vehicle to do this - google it! …”
NHTSA complaint #10983207, filed 2017-05, 20,000 miles
Buying note. A 2016 Mazda6 is worth a careful test drive: check the transmission for delayed engagement from a stop, cycle the electronic parking brake, and confirm the infotainment screen and rear-view camera work. Ask for service records showing whether the airbag occupant-classification recall (17V546000) was completed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 77 consumer complaints for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6. 54 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 29,774 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 670 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 9 Mazda MAZDA6 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 39 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Brakes14 18%
- Electrical system11 14%
- Other or unknown11 14%
- Seats9 12%
- Engine7 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control7 9.1%
- Air bags6 7.8%
- Steering6 7.8%
- Body and structure5 6.5%
Also reported: Suspension (5), Wheels (5), Fuel system (4), Electronic stability control (2), Exterior lighting (2), Seat belts (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Forward collision avoidance (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “I was driving down the freeway in the rain and the windshield wipers quit functioning. I pulled over and checked the fuses finding both fuses affecting the wipers were in working order. While pulled over, I also noticed my headlights were no longer on. I checked the fuses related to the headlights and these were also in working order. As I was not in a good location to leave my car for any period of time, I drove my car a few more miles down the road. During this time, the warning for the smart breaking system failure also came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11299751, filed 2020-01, 117,000 milesElectrical system: “I was braking to a stop after decellerating, driving originally about 45 MPH. Traffic was stopped in front of me. I was in motion on a highway, going straight ahead. My car slowed but resisted stopping. I pressed on the brake pedal harder until I came to a complete stop. My right foot was entirely on the brake, as I only use my right foot to operate the pedals. The engine was revving like it was accellerating. The car was in drive. No warning lights came on the dash. The engine continued to rev higher in intensity. I put the car into park, and the engine revved much higher. …”
NHTSA complaint #11343512, filed 2020-08, 40,000 milesOther or unknown: “I have a 2016 Mazda 6 gt with stock 19 dunlop tires. I bought the car with around 80 miles & at the time of the incident was around 6800 miles. I was traveling to work going around 72 MPH & the left rear tire blewout causing an accident on the interstate. Tires should not blowout that quickly with proper care of the vehicle. The tire tread wore too fast.”
NHTSA complaint #10811562, filed 2015-12, 6,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The car sometimes has a delay between going from reverse into drive. During the delay, the engine revs up and then it lurches forward. This seems to be happening more frequently with a longer time before the engine engages. This also occurred after stopping at a stop sign (and staying in drive the entire time.) the car has ~12,000 miles on it but this has been happening soon after I purchased it brand new from the dealer with less than 10 miles on the odometer.”
NHTSA complaint #10949692, filed 2017-02, 11,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 54 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,900 and 59,600 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAZDA6 · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.3% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,100 |
| 6 FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,250 |
| 6 FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 17V546000Aug 31, 2017Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Mazda MAZDA6 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.
Recall details for the 2016 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. 670 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026Electrical system. DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026Electrical system, Engine. This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine…
- 11032003May 1, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and…
- 11032104Apr 30, 2026Body and structure, Other or unknown. DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left…
- 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…
- 11032101Apr 16, 2026Engine. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a…
- 11032100Apr 4, 2026Body and structure, Electrical system. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more…
- 11028133Jan 26, 2026Other or unknown. There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank. A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method • B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to…
- 11028127Jan 5, 2026Other or unknown. Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- 11026917Dec 17, 2025Electrical system. If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any…
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
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6?
Owners of the 2016 Mazda6 report a wide spread of concerns, with the most frequent being transmission hesitation and delayed engagement, brakes (particularly the electronic parking brake), and electrical/infotainment faults. The issues reported most often: Automatic transmission delay and harsh engagement; Electronic parking brake will not release or light stays on; Infotainment screen reboots or goes blank.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 have?
NHTSA recorded 77 consumer complaints for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 14 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system with 11.
Has the 2016 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.
How did the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 (6, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 26 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 reported?
Among the 54 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 29,774 miles and the middle half falls between 8,900 and 59,600 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.