Mazda Mazda6 problems
54 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Was at a drive in window and car turned off and couldn't restart. Windows and lights would work but car wouldn't restart. Could of been driving and would of crashed. Had 3 people family in car. It was 9 pm had to have towed to nearest auto mechanic place 150.00. They are…
Cracked cylinder head near the exhaust manifold. Created a large oil leak. Oil on the exhaust is a fire hazard. After one quart of oil loss a low oil level light comes on. This is a reported problem. One version of the engine I have has a Mazda TSB and an extended…
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…
Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak and possible coolant leak. This is a known issue with this year and model. Mazda is trying to suggest the issue is only for the turbo engine, but the non-turbo engine is also defective, per countless reports online. I have a video from the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2018 Mazda Mazda6?
On the NHTSA data, the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Mazda Mazda6?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 67,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 67,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda Mazda6 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Mazda Mazda6?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 54 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.