2021 Mazda MAZDA6 Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6. The part named most often is engine, with 13 complaints (76% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and visibility (2). NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 301 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 61 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Engine13 76%
- Other or unknown2 12%
- Fuel system1 5.9%
Example complaints
Engine: “The engine oil low light has illuminated multiple times. I verified that there is no external engine oil leak. I have added oil and driven it for a couple thousand miles and the light is now on again. The car is brand new and should not be burning oil. Its a known issue as Mazda has a service bulletin but no fix for it. This is the bulletin number TSB-01-012/21.”
NHTSA complaint #11485228, filed 2022-09Other or unknown: “I been having problems with oil consumption in between oil changes,I am concerned with the potential for damage to other engine systems aside from the reported issue with the gasket stem seals. I been taking my car to the dealership and I been told they don’t have a solution and they don’t know how to fix it. This is a new car!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11491628, filed 2022-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Sunroof exploded while on the highway. Nothing hit the glass. Glass was facing outward and no evidence if anything striking it. Major safety concern, easily could have blinded my wife or I.”
NHTSA complaint #11459949, filed 2022-04Back-over prevention (rear camera): “The Infotainment system malfunctions. The rear view camera freezes, not with the current conditions but a still picture of a street I do not recognize. This puts not only myself at risk for an accident but those of others as well. This malfunction has been taken into the dealership on two different occasions. Each time the dealer couldn't solve the issue. There is currently a class action lawsuit regarding the Infotainment system.”
NHTSA complaint #11668602, filed 2025-06Complaints 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 2021 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 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: 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 2021 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 | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
| 6 FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 301 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…
- 11034436Jun 18, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Other or unknown. This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 09-012/21 12/13/21, 06/10/21 and 04/27/21 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience all of…
- 11034439Jun 17, 2026Electrical system. This SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted below in Red. SA-027/26 04/16/26 DESCRIPTION The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing…
- 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…
- 11032106Apr 29, 2026Engine. Valve Stem Seals Class Action Settlement Program for Excessive Oil Consumption and Oil Consumption Powertrain Warranty Extension Special Service Program SSPD5. Updated April 28, 2026 – Related oil…
- 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…
- 11032102Apr 15, 2026Electrical system. This SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted below in Red. SA-007/25 10/22/25, 06/02/25 and 02/03/25 DESCRIPTION The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all…
- 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…
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 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 13 complaints (76% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 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 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Mazda MAZDA6 (6, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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. 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.