2008 Mazda Mazda6 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda Mazda6.

20072009
Complaints
121
Crashes
17
Fires
2
Injuries
7
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2008 Mazda Mazda6 Problems

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

#176 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:98,403 mi
Crash-related:10
#28 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:78,132 mi
Crash-related:1
#34 complaints

Electrical Faults

Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Mazda Mazda6.

Airbags
76
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
Avg Miles
98,403
Transmission / Drivetrain
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
78,132
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Diesel Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda Mazda6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 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

2008 Mazda Mazda6 — FAQ

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

Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Mazda Mazda6 has 121 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 76 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Mazda Mazda6?
Top reported problems: Airbags (76 complaints, avg 98,403 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (8 complaints, avg 78,132 mi); Electrical Faults (4 complaints). 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 2008 Mazda Mazda6?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,472 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Mazda Mazda6?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Mazda Mazda6 include 17 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 7 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 2008 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 2008 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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