2008 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#5 most-complained of 17 Mazda6 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Mazda Mazda6 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 5th worst out of 17 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 69% of its 111 complaints, and 3 of its 4 recalls are do-not-drive campaigns for passenger and driver frontal airbag inflators.
- Complaints
- 111
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2008 Mazda Mazda6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags77 (69%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (8%)
- Electrical System6 (5%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Engine4 (4%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
- Other2 (2%)
What owners report
- Frontal airbags failed to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including impacts around 35 to 40 mph.
- Passenger airbag inflators were flagged in a do-not-drive recall after prior replacement parts were also found defective.
- A front passenger seat belt intermittently failed to lock, reported after a crash where a passenger's head hit the windshield.
- Steering wheel veered on its own at highway speed and would not turn back, leading to a guardrail crash.
- An electrical fire started at the starter with very low mileage on the odometer.
- A fuel tank's protective coating was found damaged, prompting a separate recall for tank inspection.
2008 Mazda Mazda6 recalls
4 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.
2008 Mazda Mazda6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,975
- 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.
2008 compared with other Mazda6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Mazda6 ranks 5th worst among 17 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Mazda Mazda6?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 69% of complaints (77 of 111), including reports of airbags not deploying in crashes.
- Does the 2008 Mazda6 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Mazda6, and 3 of them are do-not-drive recalls covering driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators.
- How does the 2008 Mazda6 compare to other years?
- The 2008 Mazda6's complaint index of 75 is higher than 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, and other Caution or Good years, but lower than 2007, 2009, and 2010, which all also carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Mazda Mazda6?
- EPA rates the 2008 Mazda6 at 22 mpg combined (19.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,975.