Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Urgent recall on this model.

At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.

Recalls

9 total · 9 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 19V782000 · Oct 2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 18V717000 · Oct 2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 18V018000 · Jan 2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Do not driveRecall 17V429000 · Jun 2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V631000 · Sep 2018

Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V594000 · Aug 2016

Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy
Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816H.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Fuel system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V114000 · Mar 2014

Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line. If a web was found in the line, the fuel tank and check valve on canister vent line will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number associated with this campaign is 7214C.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V425000 · Sep 2013

If all three door latch mounting screws become excessively loose the door latch mechanism would not engage and the door might open while the vehicle is in motion increasing the risk of accident or injury.

Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will apply a thread locking adhesive to the door screws and retorque them, free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2013. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number is 7013I.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Fuel system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V134000 · Feb 2011

AS THE CANISTER IS PURGED REPEATEDLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE STRESS ON THE FUEL TANK MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A CRACK, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE AD AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CLEAN UP THE CANISTER VENT LINE, AND INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SPIDER FROM ENTERING THE VENT LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

225 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
8

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 2fluid leaks 2fire 1
A recent report: Car won't start due to PCM/TCM lost communication.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11458436 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
26

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 6premature wear 4
A recent report: I purchased this vehicle for my 16 yr old daughter 1 yr ago. The car has a clean carfax and has had no accidents. Upon purchasing the car the headlights continue to burn out. Taking it to a Mazda…
Read full complaint

I purchased this vehicle for my 16 yr old daughter 1 yr ago. The car has a clean carfax and has had no accidents. Upon purchasing the car the headlights continue to burn out. Taking it to a Mazda dealership i learned the headlight assembly unit was melting. I had to purchase 2 used headlight assembly because new from the dealership are 1,000 a piece. 2 used but perfectly working headlights were installed and within a yr the headlights had burned out again. I went to change the bulbs only to learn the headlight assembly were once again burnt. I have to purchase 2 new headlight assembly again but the mechanic can not guarantee that this burning situation won't occur. After calling around to places to find headlight assembly I have come to find out many are burnt. This seems like a real problem considering you need headlights to drive at night. Spending 1,000 everytime my headlights burn out seems 100% unreasonable and the fact that there is cleary a wiring issue within the headlight assembly unit itself seems to be a problem. I have been on multiple forums and this is a common issue. Please fix the problem!!!!!!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11430516 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
11

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 6loss of braking 4
A recent report: FOR SOME REASON THE BRAKE ROTOR ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WARPS VERY QUICKLY AFTER DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THE ROTOR THAT WARPS MAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN…
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FOR SOME REASON THE BRAKE ROTOR ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WARPS VERY QUICKLY AFTER DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THE ROTOR THAT WARPS MAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL STEERING. ALSO WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE SHAKING DECREASES IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STOMPED ON HARD BUT THIS RESULTS IN "BRAKE CHECKING" THE VEHICLE THAT IS FOLLOWING BEHIND THE CAR. TO TRY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE THE FRONT ROTORS WERE MACHINED SEVERAL TIMES, REPLACED, MACHINED AGAIN BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. AT LOWER SPEEDS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND BACK FORWARD AND BACK AS THE BRAKE CATCHES AND RELEASES THE WARPED ROTOR.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11192148 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
18

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 7loss of steering 6
A recent report: While im driving the steering is shifting to the right and seems lower on right side. My tires daily need to have air in them because of the uneven weight. While I drive and let go of the gas the car…
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While im driving the steering is shifting to the right and seems lower on right side. My tires daily need to have air in them because of the uneven weight. While I drive and let go of the gas the car pulls back like an E brake could be stuck not sure though. No accidents at all but it seems like the vehicle is getting weaker and weaker with the uneven weight going down on the tires and steering seems like it's going to crash onto the right without being able to control it.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11526861 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
53

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3premature wear 2
A recent report: The airbag light is still flashing on the dashboard after the airbag recall on this vehicle was fixed. It may be related to a different recall, which is safety campaign #16V594000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643653 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
56

Most reports here involve corrosion. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

corrosion 41loss of steering 6
A recent report: I recently had my front subframe replaced as part of your recall, however, the rear subframe and all components attached are suffering from the exact same rust and potential component failure as the…
Read full complaint

I recently had my front subframe replaced as part of your recall, however, the rear subframe and all components attached are suffering from the exact same rust and potential component failure as the front. I was replacing my brakes today and noticed that the entire structure is on the verge of complete failure. The right rear suspension already makes unusual noises when going over even small bumps and I imagine if I were to hit a large pothole that would probably be the end of this car. I imagine all similar Mazda 6s in the Midwest suffer from the exact same degradation and it is a major safety concern. There are places where there's chunks of subframe missing because it has rusted completely through and just disintegrated.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11746080 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
53

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

premature wear 11electrical shorts 3
A recent report: Mazda issued a extended warranty for sticky dash board and supposedly mailed notices to owners. I never received one and dispute the fact they mailed it to all owners. The sticky dash repair should…
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Mazda issued a extended warranty for sticky dash board and supposedly mailed notices to owners. I never received one and dispute the fact they mailed it to all owners. The sticky dash repair should be issued as a recall as it presents a significant safety issue. The sticky dash is so shiny that it reflects sun into driver’s eyes and should be considered a significant safety issue. I request the NHTSA to mandate Mazda to make the sticky dash repair a recalled issue versus allowing them to issue a extended warranty. I never got the notice and the issue existed within the warranty period. In addition, what happens if the issue arises after the warranty period. This sticky dash is a defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle and presents a significant safety issue to drivers as it impacts their road visibility, which may lead to increased accidents. Please have Mazda issue a recall on the sticky dash repair due to the manufacturer’s defect. Thank you.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11541192 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 225 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 14 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 225 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (134). That is the most of the 10 model years of the Mazda Mazda6 we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.