2018 Mazda Mazda6 problems
The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 has 54 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 has 54 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 67,000 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Mazda6 | 60 | 2 |
| 2016 Mazda6 | 76 | 1 |
| 2017 Mazda6 | 59 | 1 |
| 2018 Mazda6 (this page) | 54 | 0 |
| 2019 Mazda6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda6 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda6 | 17 | 0 |
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.
Buying a used 2018 Mazda Mazda6? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 67,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 8,600 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 3,200 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 3,200 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2018 Mazda Mazda6
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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 should I check before buying a used 2018 Mazda Mazda6?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 67,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 54 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 67,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.