Mazda Mazda6 Reliability — Best and Worst Years by the Data

Quick answer

The 2010 draws 5.29 complaints per run and the 2015 1.3, a 4.1-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age, so 81.9% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Air Bags, with 586 complaints, typically at 7.9 years.

Mazda Mazda6 years to avoid — and the best ones

FIG.01·Mazda Mazda6 — complaint rate by model year
Model year	Per run	Complaints	Runs	Enough history?
2021	1.21	17	14	too new
2019	1	6	6	yes
2018	1.51	56	37	yes
2017	2	58	29	yes
2016	2.27	75	33	yes
2015	1.3	56	43	yes
2014	2.29	126	55	yes
2013	1.38	22	16	yes
2012	2.32	88	38	yes
2011	3.88	124	32	yes
2010	5.29	201	38	yes
2009	5.23	340	65	yes
2008	3.85	104	27	yes
2007	3.04	137	45	yes
2006	2.1	147	70	yes
2005	2.35	122	52	yes
2004	1.84	125	68	yes
2003	3.47	132	38	yes

ROWS 18·SOURCE NHTSA complaints, grouped by VIN production run

Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2010 Mazda6 asks a median $4,995, against $6,900 for a 2011, the next model year: about 28% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.

Among the 10 Mazda Mazda6 years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2010, 2009, 2003; the three worth hunting are 2015, 2004, 2006.

When it starts to break

FIG.02·Mazda Mazda6 — age at failure
Age at failure	Complaints	Running total	Warranty
0 years	127	6.7%	covered
1 year	117	12.9%	covered
2 years	97	18.1%	covered
3 years	109	23.9%	you pay
4 years	121	30.3%	you pay
5 years	177	39.7%	you pay
6 years	144	47.3%	you pay
7 years	197	57.8%	you pay
8 years	216	69.2%	you pay
9 years	196	79.6%	you pay
10 years	105	85.2%	you pay
11 years	100	90.5%	you pay
12 years	74	94.4%	you pay
13 years	41	96.6%	you pay
14 years	39	98.7%	you pay
15 years	25	100%	you pay

ROWS 16·SOURCE NHTSA complaints with incident dates

Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 18.1% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 81.9% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 14% of the complaints here.

What actually fails — and at what age

On the Mazda Mazda6, the early trouble is Service Brakes — reported at around 3.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Air Bags at 7.9 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.

FIG.03·Mazda Mazda6 — what fails and when
System	Complaints	Typical age	Crash	Fire
Air Bags	586	7.9 yrs	68	4
Structure	257	7.7 yrs	14	1
Suspension	211	9.7 yrs	7	—
Unknown Or Other	202	6.8 yrs	9	1
Electrical System	200	5.6 yrs	5	13
Power Train	148	4.4 yrs	5	—
Engine	126	5.9 yrs	4	1
Service Brakes	125	3.8 yrs	16	—

ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaints

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Everything on the Mazda Mazda6

Recalls89 campaigns Common problems2,267 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Used prices496 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car2003–2021

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.83 against 3.73 for the average car.

Which Mazda6 years should you avoid?

By complaints per production run, 2010, 2009, 2003. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2015, 2004, 2006. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.

When do Mazda6 problems usually start?

Half of all complaints arrive by 7 years of age. The most reported system is Air Bags, typically at 7.9 years, followed by Structure.

Will the warranty cover Mazda6 problems?

Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 18.1% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 14% of the complaints here.

Complaint records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Rates, age-at-failure and warranty coverage computed by ForCar. Model years newer than 6 years are excluded from rankings — complaints accumulate for a decade (how we measure). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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