2016 Mazda MAZDA6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
29,775 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 77 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 22.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 10.4% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Seats | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
Service Brakes: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Electrical System: 10; Power Train: 10; Seats: 8; Engine: 7; Air Bags: 6; Steering: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 23 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2015: 5; 2016: 13; 2017: 11; 2018: 6; 2019: 6; 2020: 11; 2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 7; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10780425 · 2015-10-06 (October 6, 2015)
WINDSHIELD IS TOO THIN, AND BREAKS VERY EASILY. A SMALL (LESS THAN A QUARTER INCH) STONE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM, CRACKING IT WHILE I WAS FOLLOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 60 MPH AND ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS APART.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10785455 · 2015-10-22 (October 22, 2015)
I WAS ABOUT TO PARK THE CAR IN A PARKING SPOT IN A MALL. IT WAS CRAWLING SPEED AND ALMOST ABOUT TO STOP. THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND WENT OVER THE CURB ON TO THE OTHER SIDE. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON ON THE OTHER SIDE. I WAS HOLDING TIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL. MY HUSBAND PULLED THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BREAK BUTTON AND THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. TIRES WERE BURST ON RUNNING OVER AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO FRONT LEFT SIDE OF CAR. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,483 miles reported. Look up ODI 10785455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10788612 · 2015-11-05 (November 5, 2015)
MAZDA HAS CRAMPED VENT DUCT, SPEAKER, AC DUCT AND FRONT DISPLAY ON TO OF THE DASHBOARD AT THE DRIVER SIDE. REFLECTION FROM ALL THESE MAKE THE DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. I HAVE TALK TO THE MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MY DEALER. THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN LISTENING TO MY COMPLAINT. THERE MESSAGE IS THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR AND ITS DONE. ITS A SAFETY HAZARD AND ACCIDENT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10788612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809030 · 2015-12-08 (December 8, 2015)
THE SUNROOF IN MY CAR EXPLODED AND PARTIALLY SHATTERED WHILE PARKED IN MY WORK'S PARKING LOT. GLASS WAS ALL OVER THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WHAT GLASS WAS LEFT HAD CRACKED COMPLETELY AND WAS UNSTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER AND THEY ARE REPLACING IT UNDER WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10811562 · 2015-12-21 (December 21, 2015)
I HAVE A 2016 MAZDA 6 GT WITH STOCK 19" DUNLOP TIRES. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH AROUND 80 MILES & AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS AROUND 6800 MILES. I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK GOING AROUND 72 MPH & THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE. TIRES SHOULD NOT BLOWOUT THAT QUICKLY WITH PROPER CARE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE TREAD WORE TOO FAST.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10811562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10822594 · 2016-01-27 (January 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND BRAKE LINES WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE ENGINE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10822594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823940 · 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN BRAKE CONTROL WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INSTALLED A DATA TRACKING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR A MONTH WITH THE DEVICE AND THERE WERE NO FURTHER INCIDENTS. UPDATED 07/21/16.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851718 · 2016-03-26 (March 26, 2016)
MY BRAND NEW MAZDA 6 WITH ONLY 6000 MILES TRANSMISSION QUIT ON 3/21/16. THE CARS GEARS WOULDN'T ENGAGE UNTIL THE RPMS WOULD HIT 3000 AND THEN THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MAZDA 6 AND MAZDA CX-5. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. SOMEONE COULD HAVE REAR ENDED ME OR I COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS THE FIRST THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN 100S OF REPORTS ABOUT THIS. MAZDA NEEDS TO ISSUE A STATEMENT AND RECA…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851718 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V546000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | Steering:Electric Power Assist System | Seats
Reported: 2017-08-31 (August 31, 2017)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.
Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.
NHTSA campaign record ↗