2018 Mazda Mazda6 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (24) · Power Train (6) · Service Brakes (3)
🧭 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 (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2021-11-12 · campaign 21V875000 · 121,038 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2019-06-27 · campaign 19V497000 · 262,220 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (549)
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
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
Power Train 2026-05-01 · 01-008-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. this may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-30 · SA-031-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged vin plate or vehicle certification label. to obtain a replacement vin plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact dag (dealer assistance group) using vin plate request form available on
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
Engine 2026-04-16 · SA-026-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued m-tip(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. mt-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 description if an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a repla
Showing the 6 most recent of 549 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Engine“i'm having an issue getting the recall serviced. apparently, because the car's vin number traces it's origin to [xxx], mazda usa is unable to confirm the recall notice and the local dealership (norcross mazda) couldn't confirm it either when i tried to book an appointment. mazda usa and the local mazda sites both show the open recall on the custome…”
2026-08-29 · Tether, Lower Anchor (On Car Seat Or Vehicle)“have had 3 seats replaced under warranty by graco and was told to make a report with you. the rigid latch anchors on two have been faulty after 2 months. the second one got stuck in the installed base and pulling the release button did nothing. the rigid latch on the first got stuck in the open position. the second they would move independently of …”
2026-08-28 · Wheels“fuel pump is leaking, just as all the other 2018-2020 fuel pumps but mine doesn’t qualify for the recall.…”
2026-08-07 · Engine“the car only has 70k miles on it. the engine started smoking under the hood. immediately stopped to look. there was oil leaking but i could not see from where. i took it across the street to the toyota dealership and had them look at it. they explained to me that there was a crack in the cylinder head and oil was leaking everywhere. potentially cau…”
2026-07-29 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 …”
2026-04-30 · Engine“crack in cylinder head of engine. mazda has been sued about this and have issued recalls on turbo engines, but not on non turbo ones though its the same systemic design issue with these engines. wants me to pay 5-7k out of pocket.…”
2026-04-22 · Engine“my cylinder head is leaking coolant. there is a well known and well documented issue with these cylinder heads cracking due to poor casting. this has become such a big issue that mazda has even recalled the cylinder heads, but, only if the engine is equipped with turbo. however, this issue is becoming enormous even for non turbo owners and is a hug…”
2026-04-07 · Engine“car had a coolant leak due to cracked cylinder head that was defective from the factory it was fixed but now the car has engine problems again. don’t want to keep having these issues in the future …”
2026-04-01 · Power Train“system failure: the power train (6-speed automatic transmission) suffered a major malfunction, documented by diagnostic codes p0731 (gear 1 incorrect ratio) and p0780 (shift error). the vehicle is available for inspection. safety risk: the failure caused a sudden loss of propulsion while attempting to accelerate. this created an immediate risk of …”
2026-02-22 · Engine“per mazda inspection, the back side of cylinder head #3 has an oil leak which is leaking onto the exhaust manifold. this creates a direct fire hazard as mazda said they highly recommend not driving it for that reason. the mazda dealership inspected and confirmed the issue, it in february 2026, with only 74,000 miles on the vehicle.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.