2013 Mazda Mazda6 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (4) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mazda6 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Structure 2019-04-25 · campaign 19V323000 · 51,118 vehicles
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.
Risk: Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-10-12 · campaign 18V717000 · 155,436 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the s
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V018000 · 70,227 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2013-09-24 · campaign 13V425000 · 161,400 vehicles
Defect: Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, through August 24, 2012. The door latch mounting screws may become loose.
Risk: If all three door latch mounting screws become excessively loose the door latch mechanism would not engage and the door might open while the vehicle is in motion increasing the risk of accident or injury.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will apply a thread locking adhesive to the door screws and retorque them, free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2013. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number is 7013I.
Service bulletins (238)
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
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
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
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
Electrical System 2025-12-17 · SA-061-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. below
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 238 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-14 · Air Bags · 137,450 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mazda mazda6. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v018000 (air bags). the dealer confirmed the recall but was unable to perform the recall repair. the dealer informed the contact that there was no crash pad that was better. the dealer suggested that the vehicle be sold or not driven. the manufactur…”
2024-07-12 · Suspension · 67,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 mazda mazda6. the contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 18v631000 (suspension, structure) where a coating was sprayed on the passenger side lower control arm and the area was drained. after receiving the recall repair, the contact became aware that the vehicle was pulling to the right…”
2023-12-19 · Wheels“i just baught a 2013 mazda6 the rear cradel and cross member was complety rusted away one mount was complety rusted off .the springs was almost ready to fall out the bottem of the spring purch .it looked like it was pulled out of the ocean where it had stayed for years .i tried to find a used replacement out of several we found from 10-13 and going…”
2023-01-04 · Suspension“my car has approx 115,000 miles. i took it to bass mazda to have spark plugs and serpentine belt changed simply for maintenance purposes. after leaving dealership my car was pulling to the right. my steering wheel was no longer centered. it also was turned toward the right. any time i had to hit the brakes the car pulled very hard to right. long s…”
2021-12-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System“2013 mazda 6 vin [xxx] 1)fuel tank leak. yes it is available for inspection 2)gas leak with danger of fire or explosion. 3) yes 4) no 5)yes reoccurring the 2014 mazda 6 had a recall for the exact same problem i am having where the tank would overfill or if parked unlevel and it will activate a check engine light and "leak gas" out of the evap ca…”
2021-08-19 · Electrical System“was driving on the highway when the check engine light came on. not 10 minutes later, i lost acceleration and steering. managed to get to the shoulder just in time before my car pretty much died. the water light and battery light came on when i came to a stop. mechanic discribes it as 'catastrophic engine failure'. other than the check engine light…”
2021-03-22 · Unknown Or Other · 81,500 mi“related to mazda recall number 2818i - front frame rotting out. they applied a bandaid fix under the recall, to only 1 side of the vehicle and the part they used does not even connect to the actual suspension pieces that are rotting out of the frame. it is basically a plate to keep the rotting frame from separating completely on only 1 side. the pr…”
2021-03-18 · Visibility/Wiper · 140,000 mi“the low beam headlights are so dim you barely can see anything often i have to turn on high beam lights…”
2020-02-20 · Visibility/Wiper · 50,000 mi“tl* the consumer owns a 2013 mazda mazda6. the consumer stated that the driver's side rear view mirror was frosted over. the consumer stated that it was very difficult to see approaching vehicle. the vehicle was taken to browns mazda located at 5625 central ave, toledo, oh 43615, (419)531-0151, to be inspected. the contact was informed that the veh…”
2019-12-19 · Service Brakes · 68,000 mi“my 2013 mazda 6 have some brake related issues, i was able to hear the vaccum or air leakage noise while applying brakes. car takes longer distance to stop or at times it keeps rolling at the time of hard braking. took it to local mazda dealership and found out its the brake booster leaking and needs to be replaced which estimates around $600. i wa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.