AI Damage2016 Mazda Mazda6: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 filed 77 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. The maker issued 468 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 77
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 468
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 12 complaints (16% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 129.
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Seats: 9 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Engine: 7 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 39.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 77 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 12 | 2 | 27 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 | 129 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 36 |
| Seats | 9 | 0 | 10 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 39 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Steering | 6 | 3 | 24 |
| Air bags | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Structure | 5 | 2 | 30 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 27 |
| Wheels | 5 | 1 | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 13 |
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
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.
Tires should not blowout that quickly with proper care of the vehicle. The tire tread wore too fast.
Then the car suddenly surged forward and went over the curb on to the other side. Thankfully there was no other vehicle or person on the other side. I was holding tight the steering wheel. My husband pulled the electronic parking break button and the car finally came to a stop.
No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the clutch disc kit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,166.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 682 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mazda6 has 37 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 77, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
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...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- 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 area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- 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 vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto…
- 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 accurately cut keys • 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the…
- Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter…
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.
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling unit. This condition…
- Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging
If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern…
- Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle…
Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a fluid or oil leak and use the following…
- Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH…
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three primary categories: Noise, Vibration, or…
NHTSA lists 468 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda Mazda6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 77. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (12%), windows, sunroof (9%), rollaway, parking brake (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA lists 468 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Mazda Mazda6 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
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.