Mazda Mazda6 Reliability by Year
2,913 NHTSA complaints (2002–2021). Complaint rate: 177.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Mazda Mazda6 reliability varies significantly by model year. Based on 2,913 NHTSA complaints (2002–2021), the most problematic years are 2009, 2010, with high complaint volumes linked to airbag malfunctions. Better choices include 2020, 2019, 2021, which show significantly fewer reported problems.
Why these years are worse
The most common issues driving the complaint spikes:
- airbag malfunctions — 617 complaints (11.2% involved a crash)
- unknown or other — 218 complaints (4.1% involved a crash)
- suspension failures — 208 complaints (2.9% involved a crash)
- electrical faults — 205 complaints (2.0% involved a crash)
- structure:body — 187 complaints (7.5% involved a crash)
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2009–2010 Mazda Mazda6. The 2017–2021 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: AIR BAGS.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Mazda Mazda6 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 617 | 11.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 218 | 4.1% |
| SUSPENSION | 208 | 2.9% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 205 | 2.0% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 187 | 7.5% |
| ENGINE | 135 | 3.0% |
| STEERING | 127 | 9.4% |
| POWER TRAIN | 116 | 4.3% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 106 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 92 | 13.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002GOOD | — | 40 | 2 | — | View → |
| 2003AVOID | — | 245 | 14 | 3 | View → |
| 2004AVOID | — | 196 | 14 | 8 | View → |
| 2005 | — | 180 | 13 | 5 | View → |
| 2006AVOID | — | 207 | 19 | 1 | View → |
| 2007 | — | 184 | 18 | 2 | View → |
| 2008 | — | 121 | 17 | 2 | View → |
| 2009AVOID | — | 526 | 9 | 6 | View → |
| 2010AVOID | — | 317 | 9 | 2 | View → |
| 2011 | — | 182 | 13 | 2 | View → |
| 2012 | — | 128 | 7 | 3 | View → |
| 2013GOOD | — | 34 | 1 | — | View → |
| 2014AVOID | — | 196 | 23 | — | View → |
| 2015 | — | 78 | 11 | — | View → |
| 2016 | — | 107 | 19 | — | View → |
| 2017GOOD | — | 73 | 1 | — | View → |
| 2018GOOD | — | 72 | 1 | 3 | View → |
| 2019GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | — | View → |
| 2020GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View → |
| 2021GOOD | — | 19 | 0 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Mazda Mazda6accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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