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 scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Mazda Mazda6 powertrain problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
Among the 11 model years of Mazda Mazda6 in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an overhauled or replacement A/T is installed (except SKYACTIV-DRIVE). The most common cause of repeat A/T failures is lack of lubrication to the front and rear planetary gears. This is usually caused by an accumulation of metal particles and debris (from a previous A/T failure) on the internal mesh type baffle of the oil cooler. Power flushing will remove the restriction by back flushing, followed by forward flushing to dislodge a restriction, then back flushing again. This will in turn ensure full ATF flow for the transmis
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Mazda 6 powertrain is a minefield. The automatic transmission is the biggest culprit: owners report slipping out of gear and violent jerking between shifts—sometimes as early as 28,000 miles. Multiple owners had their transmissions replaced, only to have the same failure recur within months. At 400 miles on a new vehicle, one owner's transmission leaked all its fluid from a defective seal and required complete replacement. Another faced transmission failure at 3,000 miles post-repair due to a failed solenoid valve and differential seal.
Hard shifting and jerking, especially 2nd-to-3rd and 3rd-to-4th, plague owners. Some report the dashboard shows the wrong gear while the engine revs high. One owner's 2nd and 4th gears stopped engaging entirely after a dealership fluid service made things worse. Another describes idle climbing to 3,000 RPM on the highway with zero acceleration.
Manual transmission owners report constant clunking from 2nd to 3rd gear at high speeds. Rear differential mounting bolts back out and shear off starting around 24,000 miles, causing loud thumping and risking complete drivetrain loss. Firewall cracks separate around the clutch linkage, making the pedal stick. Electrical gremlins cause dashboard lights to flicker, the engine to stall, and warning lights to stay on. A TSB exists for the rear differential issue and clutch pedal engagement height, but Mazda never notified owners and denied warranty coverage on out-of-spec vehicles.
Same Mazda Mazda6 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping and gear engagement failure
Automatic transmission loses drive or slips out of gear, accompanied by loud thumping or thudding noises during gear shifts. Owners report the transmission becomes dangerous to operate and requires replacement. Early failures occur with very low mileage; recurrence on replacement units suggests a systemic defect.
When: As early as 28,000 miles; some owners experience recurrence at 82,000 miles after transmission replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loud thumping or thudding during gear shifts; Transmission slipping out of gear; Hesitation when shifting; AT warning light illuminates; Loss of power while driving
Codes mentioned: AT
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; owners report 6-week waits for replacement units from Mazda; multiple replacements on same vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty replacement of transmission; long lead times on parts availability
Transmission fluid leaks from seals
Defective seals in the transmission and torque converter allow transmission fluid to escape. Owners report steam from the engine compartment, burning odor, and complete fluid loss within very short mileage.
When: As early as 400 miles on new vehicle; symptoms at 3,000 miles post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Steam from engine compartment; Distinct burning odor; Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle; High-pitched whine when accelerating or decelerating; Lag in shifting
Repairs/costs cited: Defective torque converter seal and differential solenoid valve replaced; second transmission installation required when solenoid valve replacement unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty transmission replacement; dealer troubleshooting and parts replacement
Transmission hard shifting and jerking between gears
Automatic transmission exhibits violent jerking and hard shifts, particularly between 2nd-3rd and 3rd-4th gears. Owners report the dashboard sometimes shows an incorrect gear while the engine revs abnormally high. Issue occurs frequently during acceleration from stops and can cause loss of power.
When: Starting at low mileage; one owner reports 60,000 miles with synthetic fluid; another at 4,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking when shifting gears; Hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear; Abnormally high engine revs while dashboard shows different gear; Loss of power during acceleration; Weak acceleration overall
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, AT
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid change performed by dealer in one case, but problem worsened; one owner mentions camshaft position actuator and transmission range sensor replacements by previous owner
Transmission gears not engaging properly
Specific gears fail to engage or function correctly. Owners report 2nd and 4th gears becoming inoperative, 2nd gear being skipped entirely, and transmission entering neutral instead of the commanded gear. One owner describes 4th gear constantly revving without providing drive.
When: After transmission fluid service in one case; after 60,000 miles in another
Symptoms owners cite: Specific gears fail to engage (2nd, 4th); Transmission skips gears; Transmission enters neutral unexpectedly; Constant revving without forward motion; Loss of drive in reverse
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports transmission worsened after dealership fluid change; multiple component replacements mentioned in prior owner history
Idle speed climbs unexpectedly without shifting
Engine idle speed rises to 3,000 RPM without automatic transmission shifting. Owner forced to drive at maximum 15 MPH on a highway to prevent engine stress, creating a safety hazard. Problem noted as not covered by manufacturer warranty and discussed frequently in online forums.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Idle climbs to 3,000 RPM without shifting; Loss of acceleration ability; Vehicle undrivable at normal speeds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under manufacturer warranty; owner notes this is a known, common issue discussed in online forums
Clutch pedal does not return to position
Clutch pedal fails to return to its normal resting position after being depressed. Owners report abnormal clicking noises when pressing the clutch and difficulty operating the pedal. Multiple dealers provided conflicting diagnoses, including cracked firewall as a root cause.
When: Mileage not specified; one manual transmission owner at 43,518 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking noise when pressing clutch pedal; Clutch pedal does not return to position; Difficult clutch operation; Frequent stalls from difficult operation
Repairs/costs cited: Slave cylinder replacement recommended by one dealer; firewall crack identified as root cause by another dealer; aftermarket slave cylinder replacement did not resolve issue
Clutch pedal engagement height too high
Clutch engagement point is higher than typical, making smooth engagement difficult and manual transmission operation cumbersome. Issue is documented in TSB 05-003/07 but vehicle VIN exceeds recall coverage range despite having the same defect.
When: Affects vehicle covered by TSB 05-003/07 but with higher VIN numbers
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult clutch pedal operation; Clutch engagement point too high; Difficult smooth engagement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 05-003/07 exists but does not cover higher VIN range; owner not covered despite identical issue
Manual transmission clunking noise between gears
Manual transmission produces loud clunk or thumping noises, particularly from 2nd to 3rd gear at high speeds. Owner notes friend has identical 2006 Mazda 6 manual with same problem, suggesting potential widespread defect.
When: At approximately 24,000 miles in one case; worsening over time
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunk from drivetrain when shifting; Noise from 2nd to 3rd gear at high speeds; Noise worsening over time
Rear differential mounting bracket failure
Rear differential mounting bracket bolts back out, shear off, or the bracket itself breaks. This causes loud clunking noises from the rear and can result in complete differential failure, rendering the vehicle undrivable. Owners report this is a common failure pattern.
When: Starting around 24,000 miles; at 90,000+ miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunk or thumping noise from rear, especially when shifting; Rear differential noise; Potential loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case oil leak requiring expensive repair; differential mounting bracket bolts require replacement or entire bracket replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB exists for this issue, but owners were not proactively notified
Transfer case oil leak
Transfer case loses oil, allowing internal parts to dislodge and cause drivetrain damage. Owner discovered TSB exists for this issue but was never notified by manufacturer. Repair is expensive and creates risk of transfer case lock-up and loss of vehicle control.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunk from drivetrain; Transfer case oil leak
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case repair; TSB exists but owner was not notified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB exists but Mazda does not contact owners about known issue
Firewall cracking and separation
Firewall begins to crack and separate, particularly near clutch linkage. This structural failure affects clutch pedal operation and clutch engagement. Dealer unable to service for the defect in one case; manufacturer denied assistance when vehicle was out of warranty.
When: At 90,000 miles in one reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Firewall separation; Difficult clutch engagement; Firewall cracks visible
Repairs/costs cited: Firewall repair or replacement required; one vehicle not serviced due to dealer inability to diagnose
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied due to vehicle being out of warranty; manufacturer made aware but no assistance provided
Engine cradle subframe rust and corrosion
Engine cradle subframe that holds the engine in place undergoes premature rust and corrosion, potentially compromising structural integrity of engine mounting.
When: Premature rusting noted; specific mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Rust and corrosion of engine cradle subframe
Electrical issues with dashboard and engine management
Dashboard lights flicker or turn off completely; engine becomes loud and vehicle jerks and shakes. Check Engine and AT warning lights illuminate. Engine stalls or loses significant power. Prior owners noted these are known electrical and engine issues. One owner's previous vehicle had multiple replacements of camshaft position actuators and transmission range sensors.
When: Noted during acceleration, deceleration, and stopping; cold starts produce harder shifts and stalling
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights flicker or turn off; Engine gets loud; Vehicle jerks and shakes; Loss of power; Check Engine light and AT light illuminate; Engine stalls; Power loss to 20 mph on interstate; Hard shifts on cold starts
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, AT
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft position actuator and transmission range sensor replacements mentioned by previous owner; dealership notes these are known electrical and engine issues
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Mazda Mazda6?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Mazda Mazda6?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 24,000 and 94,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 94,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Mazda/Mazda6.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.