Mazda Mazda6 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 1,938 owner complaints on the Mazda Mazda6 from 685 production runs; the worst run has 28, the typical one 2.8.

NHTSA complaint records · 1,938 complaints · 685 runs · 2003–2021 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Mazda6 run is 1YVHP82A295 (2009 builds) with 28 complaints, 10× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 32% of reports; 2010 is the worst model year at 5.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 31 recall campaigns for Mazda6 model years 2003–2019.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda Mazda6 has 685 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Mazda6 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mazda Mazda6 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1YVHP82A295••••••200928——
1YVHP82A695••••••200916——
1YVHP82A795••••••200916——
1YVHP82A395••••••200916——
1YVHP82A595••••••200915——
1YVHP82A095••••••200914——
1YVHZ8CH5A5••••••20101412
1YVHZ8BH0A5••••••201014——
1YVHP82A995••••••200913——
1YVHP80C185••••••2008132—
1YVHP80C385••••••2008122—
1YVHP82A495••••••200912——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 673 Mazda6 runs has 12 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 109 Mazda6 VINs so far, most often 2016, 2015, 2014 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda Mazda6 the gap between build years is 5.3×: a 2010 car draws 5.3 complaints per run, a 2019 one 1.

FIG.02·Mazda Mazda6 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20211.21714—
2019166—
20181.556371
2017258291
20162.375339
20151.356436
20142.31265513
20131.422161
20122.388385
20113.9124327
20105.3201384
20095.2340656
20083.91042712
200731374514
20062.11477012
20052.3122529
20041.8125689
20033.51323810
ROWS 18·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2010 at 5.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2019 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 32% of everything Mazda Mazda6 owners report: Air Bags, 586 of 1,938 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mazda Mazda6 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Air Bags586684
Structure257141
Suspension2117—
Unknown Or Other20291
Electrical System200513
Power Train1485—
Engine12641
Service Brakes12516—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 31 recall campaigns on the Mazda Mazda6; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2013. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mazda Mazda6 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
09E011000Equipment2003–2009
19V781000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2003–2008
18V402000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2003–2008
17V474000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2003–2008
13V425000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch2009–2013
09E012000Exterior Lighting2003–2007
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

The Mazda6 against its rivals

The Mazda6 draws 2.8 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Impala 5.4, the Cadillac CTS 2.9 and the Ford Fusion 11.9. That is the lowest rate of the 4.

FIG.05·Mazda Mazda6 VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Mazda Mazda61,9386852.86.1%
Chevrolet Impala8,4811,5665.45.7%
Cadillac CTS1,9126502.98.2%
Ford Fusion20,7181,73411.93.5%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 1,938 reports on the Mazda Mazda6, 6.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Mazda Mazda6 — complaint severity
OutcomeMazda Mazda6All vehicles
Complaints filed1,9381,115,966
Involved a crash119 (6.1%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire23 (1.2%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported8358,013
Deaths reported22,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda Mazda6 share of that is 1,938 complaints over 685 runs, 0.17% of everything on record.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mazda Mazda6 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,938 NHTSA complaints from 685 Mazda6 runs and 31 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Mazda6 production run has the most complaints?

1YVHP82A295, a 2009 build, with 28 complaints. The typical Mazda6 run has 2.8.

Which Mazda6 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2010 is heaviest at 5.3 complaints per run and 2019 lightest at 1.

Does the Mazda6 get more complaints than the Chevrolet Impala?

No: 2.8 complaints per production run for the Mazda6 against 5.4 for the Chevrolet Impala.

How many Mazda6 complaints involve a crash?

6.1% of 1,938 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 23 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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