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

6 total · 6 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 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.

Structure recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 19V323000 · Apr 2019

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 June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.
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.

Owner complaints by system

134 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
7

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 2transmission slipping 2unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PRESS THE ENGINE BUTTON THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF, YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIME TO GET THE CAR TO POWER DOWN.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11318357 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
20

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 5electrical shorts 3
A recent report: The headlights are increasingly failing. They are so dim that i can not safely drive at night. They burn out easily. I have to replace them about 4 times a year now. In the first few years of owning…
Read full complaint

The headlights are increasingly failing. They are so dim that i can not safely drive at night. They burn out easily. I have to replace them about 4 times a year now. In the first few years of owning the car the headlights were fine. But now it is a major safely issue for myself and others on the road. It seems like with age the headlights or components are wearing out. I am considering getting rid of this car only due to the headlights. I have considered changing to a xenon system but i am scared of the wiring and do not want to risk a wiring issue. This is my only concern with this car and it appears that most who have the same car have the same headlight issue. This should be recalled to save lifes! It is dangerous to drive this car at night with such poor lighting.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11482799 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
3

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

premature wear 1loss of braking 1unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: I WAS ON A STREET IN THE CITY WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE CARD ACCELERATED HIMSELF. I TRY TO AND PUT BRAKE TO THE BOTTOM BUT ANYWAY I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT…
Read full complaint

I WAS ON A STREET IN THE CITY WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, THE CARD ACCELERATED HIMSELF. I TRY TO AND PUT BRAKE TO THE BOTTOM BUT ANYWAY I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MUCH OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS BROKEN. THE OTHER CAR WAS DAMAGED IN THE BACK OF THEIR CAR. THE POLICE MADE A REPORT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11209918 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
12

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

corrosion 9premature wear 1
A recent report: Alignment is off. Recall for my type of call for the control arm weakening and causing wheel alignment problems. Why isn't mine part of recall??

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11666615 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
28

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 4software faults 3
A recent report: I WAS IN A CRASH WHERE MY FRONT END WAS EASILY DAMAGED AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11364856 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
55

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

corrosion 44loss of steering 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the steering wheel was not operating properly. Several days later while the…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the steering wheel was not operating properly. Several days later while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was play in the steering wheel. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side wheel. The contact stated that the wheel was turning abnormally. A mechanic arrived at the residence to diagnose the vehicle and determined that the sub frame was rusted. While touching the sub frame, pieces of the sub frame fractured. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744830 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
9

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 4corrosion 1
A recent report: one day we noticed the dash was becoming more and more sticky and didn’t know what was happening until watching a recent video about Mazda’s having a melting dash.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11427947 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 134 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2026, roughly 9 a year, which is about the same as 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 2011 has 134 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (225) and more than the 2012 (99). Of the 10 model years of the Mazda Mazda6 we cover, the 2010 has the most (225). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.