Mazda Mazda6 years to avoid (and the best years)
890 NHTSA owner complaints and 19 recalls across 10 model years, 2010 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 890complaints
- 19recalls
- 50reported crashes
- 6reported fires
- 35reported injuries
Which Mazda Mazda6 years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Mazda Mazda6 year to avoid is 2010. The typical Mazda Mazda6 year has 68 complaints on file.
- 2010: 225 complaints, 3.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the body and structure (27% of complaints) and the airbags (24% of complaints).
What are the best Mazda Mazda6 years?
The Mazda Mazda6 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (17), 2013 (23) and 2018 (58). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17 | 0.2× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 58 | 0.8× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 60 | 0.9× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 77 | 1.1× | 1 | 9 | 8 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2015 | 60 | 0.9× | 3 | 6 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2014 | 137 | 2.0× | 4 | 14 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 23 | 0.3× | 4 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2012 | 99 | 1.4× | 6 | 5 | 6 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 134 | 2.0× | 6 | 8 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Suspension |
| 2010 | 225 | 3.3× | 9 | 5 | 2 | Approach with caution | Body and structure |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 379 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Structure & body113 (30%)
- Airbags & seat belts81 (21%)
- Other systems65 (17%)
- Electrical & infotainment47 (12%)
- Steering, suspension & tires30 (8%)
Recalls (19)
Fuel system · 21V875000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2018
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V782000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 19V497000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2018
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Structure · 19V323000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
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.
Airbags · 18V717000 · Oct 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Suspension · 18V631000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2010
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.
Airbags · 18V018000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 17V546000 · Aug 2017 · model year 2016
If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 17V457000 · Jul 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V429000 · Jun 2017 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 17V393000 · Jun 2017 · model years 2014, 2015
If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 16V753000 · Oct 2016 · model year 2017
A vehicle continuously driven with the turn signal flashing may result in confusion to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V594000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2010
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.
Tires · 14V675000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2014, 2015
A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V173000 · Apr 2014 · model years 2014, 2015
Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 14V170000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2014
If the tank is overfilled, gas may flow into the charcoal canister (an evaporative emissions component) and possibly leak from the canister's external vent, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 14V114000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 13V425000 · Sep 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 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.
Fuel system · 11V134000 · Feb 2011 · model year 2010
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.