What year Mazda6 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010, 2011, and 2014 Mazda6 model years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 100, 91, and 82 respectively, out of 899 total complaints across 12 model years.

What is the best year for the Mazda6?

The 2019 and 2021 Mazda6 are the best years based on NHTSA data, with complaint index scores of 9 and 18, the lowest of all 12 model years covered.

Does the 2010 Mazda6 have airbag recalls?

Yes. The 2010 Mazda6 is covered by a do-not-drive airbag inflator recall (campaign 19V782000) and had 4 do-not-drive recalls total among its 9 recall campaigns.

Are 2012, 2015, and 2016 Mazda6 models risky?

These years are marked Caution rather than Avoid, with complaint index scores of 73, 55, and 64 respectively, higher than the best years but lower than the 2010-2014 Avoid years.

How many total complaints does the Mazda6 have on file?

NHTSA lists 899 total complaints and 19 recall campaigns across the 2010-2021 Mazda6 model years covered.

Mazda Mazda6 Best and Worst Years (2010–2021)

The 2010, 2011, and 2014 Mazda6 rank worst, with complaint index scores of 100, 91, and 82 out of 899 total complaints across 12 model years. The 2019 and 2021 model years score lowest (9 and 18) and are the best choices, while 2012, 2015, and 2016 warrant caution.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011 Avoid 2014 Best 2019 Best 2021

Model years: 12; 2010–2021
NHTSA complaints: 899
Recall campaigns: 19
Crashes reported: 50
Fires reported: 6
Top problem area: Electrical System

Mazda6 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda Mazda6 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	225	5	2	9 !	Structure & Body	23	—
2011	Avoid	91	135	8	1	6 !	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	24	—
2012	Caution	73	99	5	2	6 !	Electrical System	24	4★
2013	Good	27	23	1	0	4 !	Brakes	24	4★
2014	Avoid	82	137	14	0	4	Electrical System	30	5★
2015	Caution	55	60	6	0	3	Brakes	30	5★
2016	Caution	64	77	9	0	1	Brakes	30	5★
2017	Good	36	60	1	0	1	Electrical System	29	5★
2018	Good	45	58	1	1	2	Engine	27	5★
2019	Best	9	6	0	0	1	Electrical System	27	5★
2020	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Brakes	27.5	5★
2021	Best	18	17	0	0	0	Engine	27.5	5★

Mazda6 years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Mazda Mazda6 Index 100 · 225 complaints · 9 recalls

The 2010 Mazda6 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Structure & Body issues lead at 28% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 87,500 miles, followed by Airbags at 24% (80,000 miles) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 23% (100,000 miles). NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this year, including 4 do-not-drive airbag inflator campaigns. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy or deploying improperly in crashes, and frame/cross member corrosion issues.

2010 structure & body problems →2010 airbags problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2011 Mazda Mazda6 Index 91 · 135 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2011 Mazda6 carries a complaint index of 91 and ranks second worst. Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints dominate at 38% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 108,000 miles. Structure & Body problems follow at 22% (100,700 miles) and Airbags at 21% (109,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 6 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive. Owners reported engine cradle corrosion leading to control arm failure, unintended acceleration, and airbags rupturing or failing to inflate properly during crashes.

2011 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2011 structure & body problems →2011 airbags problems →

2014 Mazda Mazda6 Index 82 · 137 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2014 Mazda6 has a complaint index of 82, ranking third worst. Electrical System complaints lead at 36% of the total with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles, followed by Brakes at 19% (56,000 miles) and Engine at 18% (39,000 miles). NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering brakes, tire pressure monitoring, and PCM software, none marked do-not-drive. Owners reported steering wheels seizing while driving, ball joints separating from control arms, and vehicles rolling away after being switched off without shifting into park.

2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →2014 engine problems →

Most common Mazda Mazda6 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System181 (20%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires156 (17%)
Other151 (17%)
Structure & Body147 (16%)
Airbags133 (15%)
Engine108 (12%)
Brakes97 (11%)
Steering70 (8%)
Transmission & Powertrain59 (7%)
Visibility & Wipers44 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Mazda6 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2010, 2011, and 2014 Mazda6 model years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 100, 91, and 82 respectively, out of 899 total complaints across 12 model years.
What is the best year for the Mazda6?: The 2019 and 2021 Mazda6 are the best years based on NHTSA data, with complaint index scores of 9 and 18, the lowest of all 12 model years covered.
Does the 2010 Mazda6 have airbag recalls?: Yes. The 2010 Mazda6 is covered by a do-not-drive airbag inflator recall (campaign 19V782000) and had 4 do-not-drive recalls total among its 9 recall campaigns.
Are 2012, 2015, and 2016 Mazda6 models risky?: These years are marked Caution rather than Avoid, with complaint index scores of 73, 55, and 64 respectively, higher than the best years but lower than the 2010-2014 Avoid years.
How many total complaints does the Mazda6 have on file?: NHTSA lists 899 total complaints and 19 recall campaigns across the 2010-2021 Mazda6 model years covered.