AI Damage2021 Mazda Mazda6: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Mazda Mazda6 filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and visibility. The maker issued 300 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 300
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 76% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 12% of all complaints
- 3 Backover prevention 6% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 13 complaints (76% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Backover prevention: 1 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 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 | 13 | 0 | 61 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 81 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 67 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
My car displayed a low oil level light between oil changes and after checking the dipstick it was low. No sign of visible oil leak so upon further research I was made aware of a TSB about defective valve seals causing excessive oil consumption. My cars VIN is in the affected range outlined in the TSB.
Oil Consumption Defect. I bought car on 7/10/21. Mazda aware of the problem at the time and still sold me the car. Since then I have had to add oil in between oil changes. Mazda states problem cannot be fixed. My car vin # included with defected cars. My Limited New Car Warranty will be up soon.
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.
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.
Visibility/safety issue with OEM Mazda windshields. Objects appear highly distorted from all angles, making it hard to judge distance, read road signs, and drive safely without a disorienting level of distraction occurring at all times.
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 1,312 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 38% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Mazda6 has 37 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 17, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
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…
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a…
- Some customers may experience all of following symptoms
The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the remote transmitter button. 1. The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the door lock/release touch sensor. 2. The engine will not start using the…
- Valve Stem Seals Class Action Settlement Program for Excessive Oil Consumption and Oil Consumption…
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 part number for…
- 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…
- TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update
INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00, 2018-2025 CX-5, 2019-2023 Mazda3, 2019-2022 CX-3, 2018-2021 Mazda6, 2020-2023 CX-30 Dear Mazda Dealer…
- There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very…
There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service Alert is to inform you about the water pump sealing mechanism…
- Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126
00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer to warm up. Engine temperature gauge fluctuates. Low coolant temperature indicator (blue) light stays on longer or turns on…
- SSPD8 - Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126
00 - WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2018-2025MY CX-5, 2019-2023MY Mazda3, 2019-2022MY CX-3, 2018-2021MY Mazda6, 2020-2023MY CX-30 that are equipped with the suspected coolant control valve, the warranty coverage for…
NHTSA lists 300 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 2021 Mazda Mazda6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, visibility, backover prevention. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (59%), warning lights, check engine (24%), rear-view camera (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA lists 300 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 2021 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 2021 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.