Mazda Mazda6 Best and Worst Years (2005–2021)
The Mazda Mazda6 years to avoid are 2007-2011, led by 2009 with a complaint index of 100 and nine recall campaigns. 2019 and 2021 are the best years, each with a complaint index under 15. Airbag issues dominate the worst years, making up 29% of all complaints across the model.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Best 2019Best 2021
- Model years
- 17
- 2005–2021
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,872
- Recall campaigns
- 24
- Crashes reported
- 113
- Fires reported
- 19
- Top problem area
- Airbags
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.
Mazda Mazda6 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 50 | 147 | 12 | 5 | 3 ! | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 63 | 173 | 13 | 1 | 3 ! | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 88 | 156 | 15 | 2 | 4 ! | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 75 | 111 | 15 | 2 | 4 ! | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 386 | 8 | 3 | 9 ! | Structure & Body | 23 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 94 | 225 | 5 | 2 | 9 ! | Structure & Body | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 81 | 135 | 8 | 1 | 6 ! | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 24 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 56 | 99 | 5 | 2 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 24 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 19 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 ! | Brakes | 24 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 69 | 137 | 14 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 30 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 38 | 60 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 30 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 44 | 77 | 9 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 30 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 25 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 31 | 58 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 27 | 5★ |
| 2020 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 13 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 27.5 | 5★ |
Mazda6 years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Mazda Mazda6 Index 100 · 386 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2009 Mazda6 is the worst year for the model, with the highest complaint index (100) and nine recall campaigns, four of them do-not-drive. Structure & Body complaints lead at 34% of the total, with failures at a median of 84,000 miles, alongside suspension issues at 100,000 miles. Owners described frame and cross-member corrosion, electrical fires from heated seats, and airbag non-deployment in crashes. This year has the highest complaint volume of any Mazda6 model year at 386.
2009 structure & body problems →2009 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2009 airbags problems →
2010 Mazda Mazda6 Index 94 · 225 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2010 Mazda6 ranks second worst with a complaint index of 94 and nine recall campaigns, four do-not-drive. Structure & Body problems lead at 28% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 87,500, alongside airbag and suspension issues near 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Owners reported sudden power loss while driving, airbags failing to deploy in front and side-impact crashes, and steering becoming difficult after electrical warning lights appeared.
2010 structure & body problems →2010 airbags problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2007 Mazda Mazda6 Index 88 · 156 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 Mazda6 ranks third worst with a complaint index of 88. Airbags account for 61% of complaints for this year, with failures reported at a median of 103,500 miles, including non-deployments and inflators catching fire after a crash. Three separate do-not-drive airbag recalls apply to this model year. Owners also reported engine and transmission issues at lower mileage. One reported death and 15 crashes are tied to this year, making it one of the more serious years in the lineup.
2007 airbags problems →2007 engine problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Mazda Mazda6 Index 81 · 135 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 Mazda6 has a complaint index of 81 with six recall campaigns, three do-not-drive. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues lead at 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 108,000. Owners reported unintended vehicle movement while shifting into reverse, airbags deploying without properly inflating, and structural cradle corrosion leading to loss of control at low speed. Structure and airbag complaints also appeared at mileages above 100,000.
2011 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2011 structure & body problems →2011 airbags problems →
2008 Mazda Mazda6 Index 75 · 111 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 Mazda6 carries a complaint index of 75, driven mainly by airbags, which make up 69% of complaints at a median of 91,500 miles. It is covered by the same three do-not-drive airbag recalls as the 2007 model. Owners also reported seat belt locking problems and electrical fires, including one starter fire at very low mileage. Fifteen crashes were reported for this year despite a relatively low complaint count.
Most common Mazda Mazda6 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags549 (29%)
- Structure & Body304 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires282 (15%)
- Electrical System280 (15%)
- Other228 (12%)
- Engine191 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain131 (7%)
- Brakes129 (7%)
- Steering126 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers70 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mazda6 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid 2007 through 2011, with 2009 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and nine recall campaigns.
- What is the best year for the Mazda6?
- 2019 and 2021 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 6 and 13, the lowest of any Mazda6 model year.
- Does the Mazda6 have airbag recalls?
- Yes. Airbags are the top problem area overall, accounting for 29% of all complaints, and several model years from 2007 to 2011 carry do-not-drive Takata airbag recalls.
- Is the 2009 Mazda6 reliable?
- The 2009 Mazda6 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and nine recall campaigns, making it the least favorable year based on NHTSA data.
- Are 2015-2018 Mazda6 models good years?
- Yes, 2015 through 2018 are rated Good, with complaint indexes ranging from 25 to 44, well below the 2007-2011 avoid years.