2006 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
63/100
#7 most-complained of 17 Mazda6 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Mazda Mazda6 has a complaint index of 63 and ranks 7th worst out of 17 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem, with 93 complaints (54% of the total) and 3 do-not-drive recalls tied to non-deploying or faulty airbag inflators.
- Complaints
- 173
- Recalls
- 3
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 25 hwy
Top 2006 Mazda Mazda6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags93 (54%)
- Engine23 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (12%)
- Electrical System17 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (6%)
- Brakes8 (5%)
- Structure & Body8 (5%)
- Steering7 (4%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
- Other4 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash scenarios, including high-speed collisions and rollovers.
- Steering linkages reportedly failed at low mileage, causing loss of control at highway speed.
- Brakes reportedly failed multiple times, requiring pumping to regain stopping power, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.
- An electrical fire started in a door panel near the window controls while the vehicle was stopped.
- Some owners reported sudden unintended acceleration that continued even after the parking brake was applied.
2006 Mazda Mazda6 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2006 Mazda Mazda6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2006 compared with other Mazda6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Caution verdict for the 2006 Mazda6, with a complaint index of 63 and 173 complaints, ranking 7th worst among 17 model years for this model.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Mazda Mazda6?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 93 complaints, or 54% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 90,000.
- Does the 2006 Mazda6 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Mazda6, all involving airbags, and all three are do-not-drive recalls due to faulty inflators.
- How does the 2006 Mazda6 compare to other model years?
- The 2006 Mazda6 has a complaint index of 63, which is lower than 2007-2011 (all rated Avoid, with indexes from 75 to 100) but higher than 2012-2019 and 2021, which rate Caution, Good, or Best.