YearToAvoid

2018 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

45/100

#7 most-complained of 12 Mazda6 years

The 2018 Mazda6 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 7th worst out of 12 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Mazda6 years. It has 58 complaints, 2 recalls, and Engine issues account for 57% of complaints.

Complaints
58
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
24 city / 33 hwy

Top 2018 Mazda Mazda6 problems

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

  1. Engine33 (57%)
  2. Other11 (19%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain9 (16%)
  4. Fuel System7 (12%)
  5. Brakes4 (7%)
  6. Electrical System4 (7%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (3%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine stalls unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes lurching forward after the stall, which owners tie to an open powertrain control module recall.
  • The engine tensioner and belt reportedly needed replacement well before expected, even on a vehicle with low mileage.
  • Owners report the sunroof shattering suddenly while driving at highway speed with no visible cause like road debris.
  • Electrical wiring issues were suspected in a case where a parked Mazda6 caught fire and burned down.
  • Front and rear suspension pops and clunks, with vibration that owners say causes tires to wear unevenly.
  • Soul Red paint is described as chipping excessively on the hood, bumper, and fenders under normal driving.
2018 Mazda Mazda6 complaints: complaints filed per month4Mar 2019Feb 2020Jul 2021Apr 2023Dec 2023Jul 2024Mar 2025Feb 2026
79 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2020 (4).

2018 Mazda Mazda6 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V875000Nov 12, 2021Fuel System121,038 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

  2. NHTSA 19V497000Jun 27, 2019Transmission & Powertrain262,220 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

    Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

2018 Mazda Mazda6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,400
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.

2018 compared with other Mazda6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution6477130
2017Good3660129
2018Good4558227
2019Best96127
2020No verdict02027.5

All Mazda Mazda6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mazda6 reliable?
Relative to other Mazda6 model years, the 2018 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 7th worst out of 12 years tracked, giving it a "Good" verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Mazda6?
Engine issues make up 57% of complaints (33 of 58), with a median failure mileage of 7,200 miles, based on NHTSA complaints.
Does the 2018 Mazda6 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a fuel pump impeller that may crack in the low-pressure fuel pump, and one for a powertrain control module software error that could cause engine stall.
How does the 2018 Mazda6 compare to other years?
The 2018 model (complaint index 45) performs better than years like 2010 (100), 2014 (82), and 2011 (91), but worse than 2019 (9) and 2021 (18), which are rated "Best."

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.