2018 Mazda MAZDA6: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11189592 · 2019-03-22 (March 22, 2019)
2018 MAZDA 6. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE RADIO. *LD *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11189592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222395 · 2019-06-25 (June 25, 2019)
EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING. KNOW PROBLEM. NORMAL, EVERYDAY DRIVING; NO ROCKY ROADS, GRAVEL TRUCKS, ETC.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222395 at NHTSA ↗
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 11232925 · 2019-07-17 (July 17, 2019)
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I DID NOT SEE ANY DEBRIS OR ROCKS AND AFTER STOPPING DID NOT FIND ANY DEBRIS OR SIGNS OF ANYTHING HAVING HIT THE GLASS. THERE WAS JUST A LOUD NOISE LIKE THE SOUND OF A SHOTGUN BLAST AND THE MAJORITY OF THE CENTER OF THE SUNROOF WAS GONE. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO MAZDA AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO "ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS" AND WAS NOT COVERED BY THEIR WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,823 miles reported. Look up ODI 11232925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11246313 · 2019-08-26 (August 26, 2019)
VEHIXLE HAS OPEN RECALL #3719F. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON JULY 15 AND ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL HAS EVEN OUT SINCE JUNE 27.2019. TO THIS DAY I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY LETTER OR ANYTHING STATING CAR HAS OPEN RECALL WHEN THE CAR CAN TURN OF RANDOMLY. WILL BE TAKING CAR IN ON 08/26/19 BUT I'M CONCERNED AS TO WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED IN ANY LETTERS OR EMAILS
Owner-reported narrative. 7,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246313 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 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 11349287 · 2020-08-14 (August 14, 2020)
AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR OF LEASING THIS VEHICLE, AN ABUNDANCE OF ROCK CHIPS HAVE SHOWN UP, MORE THAN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE LEASED. THIS PAINT SEEMS EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOREIGN OBJECTS. (THIS WOULD BE THE SOUL RED COLOR THEY USE.) ITEMS THAT SHOULDN'T CAUSE A SCRATCH DO, AND ROAD DEBRIS CAUSES CHIPS THAT SHOULDN'T FAR TOO MUCH.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349287 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V497000 · Engine | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗