2018
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Mazda 6 Change Vehicle

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After revisions, the Mazda6 is significantly more comfortable and quiet while retaining much of its driving exuberance that distinguishes it from its midsized sedan competition. This updated 6 feels more expensive than it is. But with the improvements, the car has become slower and less fuel-efficient.
Alerts
There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.
2018
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Mazda 6

Reliability

Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how used vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system.

Overall Reliability
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2018 Potential Trouble Spots
The 2018 Mazda 6 has been recalled 1 time by NHTSA. View Recalls
Research Years * Redesign year
Worse Better
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09*
10
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14*
15
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17
18
19
20
Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fuel System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Electric System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Suspension
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Body Integrity
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Power Equipment
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Show More Trouble Spots
Show Fewer Trouble Spots
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 329,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2020 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2018 Mazda 6 owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Android Auto

"Stops working randomly, and the only fix is to restart the car."

Anonymous, TX (2018 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Backup or other camera/sensors

"The resolution of the camera's are sub-par for a modern car. My 2015 Ford Mustang had a higher resolution rear camera than this Mazda6 has."

Anonymous, ON (2018 Mazda 6 Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Display screen freezes up

"Upon turning on ignition (push button) start, get Mazda logo and then the screen goes dark (off). Stopping car and restarting it starts working."

Anonymous, (2018 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Both problems seem to have been fixed with softer updates"

Anonymous, UT (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Display screen goes blank

"Sometimes (albeit rarely) at start up, the camera will fail to come up. Turning off the vehicle and turning it back on will fix the issue."

Anonymous, IL (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"this has happened about 4 times and had to restart the vehicle"

Anonymous, CA (2018 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"This is a known issue that appears to stem from the nav sd card. Dealer says there was a software update that fixed this..we shall see."

Anonymous, TX (2018 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"The screen goes blank every once in awhile. Mazda has not been able to diagnose the issue. It can be a safety issue when you need to back up, because the rear camera is tied into the display screen and it too is blank."

Anonymous, ON (2018 Mazda 6 Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"When plugging in the iPhone with a working cord, the sound will sometimes only come out of the passenger side speaker. For it to work, the car needs to be turned off and re-started, will it almost always will allow the sound to come out of both speakers."

Anonymous, IL (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"I cant tell whether the GPS is adjusting the route for traffic or not. It doesnt give choices. It doesnt show where there is traffic the way Waze or Google maps does. Sometimes the screen is blank when I start the car and I need to turn off the car and restart it. The screen image started spinning on me once which I could only resolve by turning off the car and restarting The volume on the GPS changes on its own, getting too soft. Its generally not easy to use compared to others"

Anonymous, NJ (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Both problems seem to have been fixed with softer updates."

Anonymous, UT (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Load more

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Steering wheel vibration

"I suspect the steering wheel vibration is linked to the out of round or out of balance condition."

Anonymous, TX (2018 Mazda 6 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
Wheel balance

"Dealership not yet able to eliminate the vibration from out of round or out of balance condition."

Anonymous, TX (2018 Mazda 6 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
Wheel bearings

"Wheel bearings failed at 14 months replaced underwarranty, but I had to pay for alignment and wheel rebalance"

Anonymous, NJ (2018 Mazda 6 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose interior trim or moldings

"Leather seat had a big crease. Replacement of leather caused other issues like scratches and tears."

Anonymous, CT (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

"Within less than a year, the paint started to pit across the entire from of the car. It will be eventually covered under warranty, however, we are in month six of waiting for the repairs. I am six or seventh in line just at my dealership to have their red painted mazdas from that era repainted."

Anonymous, (2018 Mazda 6 Sport 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Paint is just plane chipping off exposing the white primer paint beneath."

Anonymous, (2018 Mazda 6 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"There is something that rattles in the lower dashboard when driving over rough pavement. There are also rattles in both front doors from the speakers."

Brian P., OH (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"There's a rattle or squeak near the ceiling where the visor or sun glasses holder is. It's relatively new. It wasn't happening for the first 2 years."

Anonymous, (2018 Mazda 6 Signature 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Gauges

"The right hand circular info group is unreadable because of glare during the day (includes among several others, gas gauge and miles per gallon). reported twice to Mazda reginal service in southern California. Their attitude was tough luck buddy"

Thomas D., AZ (2018 Mazda 6 Sport 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"Pulsation/vibration was related to the premature brake wear."

Anonymous, (2018 Mazda 6 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"Started not long after receiving the car. High pitched whining noise that would change in pitch depending on car speed (even in neutral). Brought car to dealership. Transmission was faulty and was replaced under warranty. No issues since the repair."

Anonymous, NJ (2018 Mazda 6 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Compare 2018 Models

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Mazda 6
This score shows whether the model had more or fewer problems overall than the average model of that year, calculated from the total number of problems reported by subscribers in all 17 trouble spots.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Jun 27, 2019
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
What should you do:
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 19V497000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 262220
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