AI DamageMazda Mazda6: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mazda Mazda6 across 6 model years: 220 owner complaints and 692 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 26% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 58 complaints (26% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 281.
- Electrical system: 35 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 584.
- Powertrain: 23 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 182.
- Service brakes: 21 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 138.
- Seats: 11 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 54.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 220 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 58 | 0 | 281 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 1 | 584 |
| Powertrain | 23 | 0 | 182 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 2 | 138 |
| Seats | 11 | 0 | 54 |
| Structure | 10 | 2 | 118 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 18 |
| Steering | 8 | 3 | 102 |
| Wheels | 8 | 1 | 81 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 | 52 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 | 8 |
| Air bags | 7 | 3 | 11 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 64 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 0 | 29 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was on freeway when some warning start showing on dashboard ( enging, track control system, battery) then my steering wheel was hard that I couldn’t manubrio i hit a curb that was on the entrance and my car start spinning in circles till i hit the hill on side road.
The contact stated that while driving about 20 mph in the snow, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle lost all powers as the steering failed. The vehicle slide and rear-end the vehicle in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The passenger side door air bag was the only air bag that deployed.
To my surprise the airbags did not deploy (particularly my side airbags). Later I learned that mazda (manufacture) reported a recall for my vehicle relating to a potential malfunction of side airbags.
Was in an accident which resulted in a lockup of vehicle and side collision with battery failure
The air bags deployed and the driver's seat belt unbuckled upon impact. The air bag deployment burned the contact's right underarm. Medical attention was not received. A police report was not filed. The contact's friend was able to drive the vehicle back to his apartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
- Some customers may experience all of following symptoms
- Valve Stem Seals Class Action Settlement Program for Excessive Oil Consumption and Oil Consumption…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
- TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- FIXING & SELLING A CRASHED 2017 MAZDA 6amount per author: 450 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- How to Replace Mazda 6 Lower Control Arm (2014-2016) #mazda6 #carrepair #mechanic #suspension #Mazda
- I found a 2016 Mazda 6 with 200k miles 👀 #Mazda #mazda6 #mazdajapan
- Mazda 6 2018 front accident damage repair PT 1
- Is the Used 2020 Mazda 6 Still Worth Your Consideration?
- Top 5 Problems Mazda 6 Sedan 2014-2021 3rd Generation
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.