2006 Mazda Mazda6 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (86) · Power Train (13) · Exterior Lighting (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mazda6 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
77 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-10-31 · campaign 19V781000 · 47,006 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-06-15 · campaign 18V402000 · 308,591 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2017-07-26 · campaign 17V474000 · 308,992 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
Service bulletins (192)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-055-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
product quality information (pqi) description service information mt-041/12 is no longer valid. it has been unpublished and superseded by the field quality information report (fqir) reporting system.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-29 · 09-022-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 description some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-10 · 07-004-25a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-22 · SA-039/25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or low-e windows. this may be caused by the sun's reflection. if a structure's windows create enough of a curve, the concave glass can focus the sun's rays onto a small area and a
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-14 · SA-036-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
when replacing the siriusxm satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform siriusxm of the existing radio id and the new/replacement sat radio id as soon as possible to ensure the customer leaves the dealership with an active sat radio.
Showing the 6 most recent of 192 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-04-19 · Suspension“the front beam crossmember sub k frame of this vehicle has failed due to corrosion. this has resulted in a loss of steering control. fortunately his failure was discovered while the vehicle was parked or it could have resulted in a very serious vehicle accident. there was an acknowledgment (and recall) of this corrosion failure issue issued by mazd…”
2024-03-18 · Suspension · 142,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mazda mazda6. the contact stated that while the vehicle was at the local service center for maintenance, it was discovered that rust and corrosion was present on the front passenger’s side lower control arm. the vehicle was not yet repaired. the local dealer was notified of the failure and informed that the model year was no…”
2022-12-18 · Exterior Lighting“car is mint for age. stock oem hid style headlights failed, headlights are still clear. the turn signals failed and activated safetys. ground plug under air filter assembly that is a piece of metal bolted to car with 5 wires that plug into it corroded so bad no ground connection and each of the wires made no connection to the plug. no info on how t…”
2022-07-05 · Engine · 123,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 mazda mazda6. the contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine made a loud ticking noise. the contact stated that once the vehicle had warmed up, the would drive normal; however, while driving 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. the contact had taken the vehicle to an indepe…”
2022-02-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2006 mazda mazda6. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v744000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the nearest dealer that was able to perform the recall repair was 3-hours away. the contact had not experienced a failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue and suggested that the vehicle be taken o…”
2021-12-03 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2006 mazda mazda6. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v744000 (fuel system, gasoline). the vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the part did not fit the fuel tank. the technical advisor was contacted and informed the contact that the style fuel tank was no longer being…”
2021-02-04 · Power Train · 163,000 mi“please can someone put in a recall for this my transmission is having problems again and this is my second madza 6... this doesn't make any sense we spend money of vehicles that suppose to run well... so why are there so many people having problems with these madza's and know one is doing anything about it.... i was on the highway with my kids when…”
2021-01-29 · Air Bags · 50,000 mi“had recall for defective airbags. took vehicle to dealer and they replaced both drivers side and passenger side air bags. i have received second recall notice to have the passenger side replaced again as the one they originally replaced it with is defective to. if the passenger side is defective then so the drivers side is to. want to know why driv…”
2020-08-26 · Vehicle Speed Control“i've had issues with my car whenever i put gas in it. my car won't start up or cut off whenever i put gas in it. i've also had issues with the acceleration because of this.…”
2020-01-27 · Air Bags“this vehicle was totaled in an accident and ownership transferred to the insurance company. stop sendin me recall notices!…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.