YearToAvoid

2005 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#9 most-complained of 17 Mazda6 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Mazda Mazda6 has 147 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 50 out of 100 — #9 highest of 17 Mazda6 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (76 complaints, 52% of the total). Complaints report 12 crashes, 5 fires, and 10 injuries.

Complaints
147
Recalls
3
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
12 / 5
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
18.5 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2005 Mazda Mazda6 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags76 (52%)
  2. Engine20 (14%)
  3. Electrical System19 (13%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain19 (13%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (5%)
  6. Brakes7 (5%)
  7. Other7 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body7 (5%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
  10. HVAC2 (1%)
2005 Mazda Mazda6 complaints: complaints filed per quarter182005 Q12006 Q42008 Q32010 Q42014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12019 Q3
172 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2020 Q2; peak 2016 Q1 (18).

2005 Mazda Mazda6 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V781000Oct 31, 2019Airbags47,006 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.

  2. NHTSA 18V402000Jun 15, 2018Airbags308,591 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.

  3. NHTSA 17V474000Jul 26, 2017Airbags308,992 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.

2005 Mazda Mazda6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Mazda6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution501473 !21
2006Caution631733 !20
2007Avoid881564 !20

All Mazda Mazda6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Mazda Mazda6 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Mazda Mazda6 ranks #9 of 17 among Mazda6 model years (Complaint Index 50/100, verdict: Caution). It has 147 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda Mazda6?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (76 complaints), engine (20 complaints), and electrical system (19 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 58,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Mazda Mazda6 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mazda Mazda6, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Mazda Mazda6?
EPA rates the 2005 Mazda Mazda6 at 21 MPG combined (18.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.