2018 Mazda MAZDA6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
58 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
11,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 58 complaints (55.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 12.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 32 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Engine: 32; Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9; Electrical System: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Suspension: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2019: 6; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2023: 7; 2024: 12; 2025: 9; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11228519 · 2019-06-30 (June 30, 2019)
I MADE A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE GREEN LIGHT CHANGE I PRESSED THE GAS AND THE MAZDA6 STALLED AND THEN DRAGGED TO TAKE OFF WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11228519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311402 · 2020-02-25 (February 25, 2020)
I GOT THIS CAR IN MAY OF 2019 SO THE CAR IS STILL NEW AND EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT FIRST WERE THE CALIPERS STICKING AND MAZDA GAVE ME A HARD TIME TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AFTER THE FACT KNOWING THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSSUE AND STILL TRIED TO CHARGE ME I TOOK MY VEHICLE THERE MORE THEN 15 TIMES JUST TO DEAL THINGS GOING BAD IN MY CAR. MY CAR STALLS ON ME OUT OF NO WHERE WHEN I'M DRIVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE ME TO CRASH ALSO MY CAR BRAKES WHEN THERE ISN'T ANYTHING IN FRONT OF IT ALL MY MALFUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11405090 · 2021-03-26 (March 26, 2021)
THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION POPS, CLUNKS, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, VIBRATION ALSO HAPPENS, IT ALSO CAUSING TIRES TO BE REPLACED FASTER THAN NORMAL THEY GO BOLD IN THE CENTER ITS CAUSING NOW THE AXLES TO SHAKE AT NIGHT TIME YOU CAN SEE THE REFLECTION FROM HEADLIGHTS BOUNCING, THEY HAVE TSB'S ON THIS SUSPENSION ISSUE HOWEVER NOT FOR 2018 ONLY 14-16 MAZDA 6S I BELIEVE AND SUPPOSEDLY THE ISSUE WAS CORRECTED WELL THEY LIED BECAUSE MINE IS A 18 AND IT IS A DISASTER, MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR, TURN WHEEL IT MAKES A…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478968 · 2022-08-12 (August 12, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that he had experienced a transmission surged on five separate occasions since owning the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer after each failure and various unknown repairs and software updates were performed on the vehicle. However, the failure persisted after each visit. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11478968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11349943 · 2020-08-17 (August 17, 2020)
MY MAZDA6 SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED ON A STREET AND COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN. THE FAULT/PROBLEM CAUSE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME BUT I SUSPECT THERE WAS WIRING/ELECTRICAL FAULT AND MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN DEFECT. BOTH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE INVOLVED IN ASSISTING ME IN THIS INCIDENT. I AM STILL WAITING FOR REPORTS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT/FIRST RESPONDERS. MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION WITHOUT ME PROVIDING THEM WITH AN "INSPECTION REPORT SUPPORTING THE CLAIM A DEFECT WAS PRESENT AND SAID DE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11349943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374972 · 2020-11-17 (November 17, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS/DSC LIGHT, SBS/SCBS LIGHT, MRCC LIGHT, AND WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD. MY CAR THEN STARTED PUTTING OR JERKY. IT FELT AS MY CAR WAS VERY WEAK AS IF IT WAS GOING TO GIVE OUT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THESE SAME MALFUNCTIONS APPEARED. EACH TIME IT OCCURRED I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT HAD ALREADY TURNED OFF. THE SECOND TIME(SEPTEMBER 5), THEY GAVE ME A NEW BATTERY AND NEW COMPUTER SOFTWARE. IT IS NOW AT …
Owner-reported narrative. 26,198 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11282286 · 2019-11-25 (November 25, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA 6. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FRIEND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, HE VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A DIRT PATCH, AND STRUCK AN OBJECT. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED UPON IMPACT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT BURNED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT UNDERARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S FRIEND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS APARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11282286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11753644 · 2026-07-29 (July 29, 2026)
Got error message that said "Forward Smart City Brake Support Malfunction" slso fot "smart brake malfunction" while driving. The ac stopped, the car speedometer kept going from 50 to zero. The car died and couldn't open doors, windows. Lost steering while driving. We were able to get off road and restart and fine for 2 weeks. While at still light tonight, the car turned off. Windows were up, couldn't open door, emergency blinkers would not come on. This is very dangerous.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11753644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11660947 · 2025-05-14 (May 14, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated upon taken the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, the dealer notified the contact of a fuel leak. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the top of the fuel tank and bolts connected to the fuel pump were significantly rusted, causing the fuel leak. The dealer determined that the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance would be provided…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11660947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11760260 · 2026-08-28 (August 28, 2026)
Fuel pump is leaking, just as all the other 2018-2020 fuel pumps but mine doesn’t qualify for the recall.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11760260 at NHTSA ↗