2006 Mazda Mazda6 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Mazda Mazda6.

20052007
Complaints
207
Crashes
19
Fires
1
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2006 Mazda Mazda6 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#189 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:94,922 mi
Crash-related:5
#217 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:61,296 mi
#310 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:90,000 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Mazda Mazda6.

Airbags
89
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
94,922
Transmission / Drivetrain
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,296
Engine Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
90,000
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
89,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,513
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,603
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
122,426
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
55,125
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat:Harness/Crotch Buckle
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda Mazda6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2006 Mazda Mazda6

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~664,589 vehicles.

19V781000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~47,006 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

18V402000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~308,591 affected

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V474000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~308,992 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Other Mazda Mazda6 Years

2006 Mazda Mazda6 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2006 Mazda Mazda6 has 207 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 89 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Mazda Mazda6?
Top reported problems: Airbags (89 complaints, avg 94,922 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (17 complaints, avg 61,296 mi); Engine Problems (10 complaints, avg 90,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Mazda Mazda6?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,514 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Mazda Mazda6 include 19 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Mazda Mazda6 have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 664,589 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2006 Mazda Mazda6?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mazda Mazda6 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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