The Lemon Index
20071st generation
Avoid · most complaints: suspension
Better years to buy
36 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Nissan Quest 1492006 Mazda MPV2006 Chevrolet Uplander 205
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 29,000 miles (24,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E011000 (equipment), 06V463000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 05V412000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Mazda sent dealers 198 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine vibration/ knocking noise/ no”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 36 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 29K miles (24K to 47K km) on the car (27 of all 36 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
My mazda 5 is a lemon...I have the recurring knocking noise and tires that wear out every year. I have been throw 4 sets of tires in less than three years.
2006 Mazda5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10232789
More owner reports
Car has barely 18,000 miles and needs new shocks already. Dealer is covering under warranty but worried about safety of the car and what next?
NHTSA complaint 10246824
Abnormal tire wear, cupping inside rear tires at 21,000 miles. Dealer has replaced the defective shocks at 27,000 miles. The car rarely has more than four occupants and has never been under heavy load.
NHTSA complaint 10229996
Fixes owners look up most.
From 185 YouTube videos · 5.4M views · 2006–2010 Mazda5
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door546K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2009 Mazda 5 | AQ1116Filterheads · 432K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical303K views
Mazda 5 Key Fob Battery Replacement 2006 - 2015 - EASY DIYKey Fob Rob · 268K views · 3 videos - Starter, alternator & belts94K views
2009 Mazda 5 serpentine belt replacement using zip tie!Photomikes Garage · 92K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors85K views
2006 Mazda 5 intake manifold / PCV valve removal and installation pt.1Dadsautosideshop · 48K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter73K views
2007 Mazda 5 Automatic transmission removal and installationCar MechaNick · 39K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils66K views
Spark plug replacement Mazda 5 2.3L 2008 -2013 tune up Mazda5 Mazda3Fixing cars and stuff · 66K views - Steering & suspension33K views
HOW TO CHANGE CV AXLE ASSEMBLY 2006 MAZDA 5 (BONUS: HOW TO DIAGNOSE FAILING CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS)Everyday Projects · 19K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS22K views
Mazda 5 front brake replacement 2008-2011Carl’s Garage · 22K views
Before you buy, watch
Darn! 2009 Mazda 5 transmission problems returned after about 50 miles of driving. Fix failure!John Hermann · 197 viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 198 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine vibration/ knocking noise/ no
- Engine stalls when driving at low speeds
- Multi-model - engine stalls when driving at low speed
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, …
- Engine · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A HEAT BUILDUP IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN OCCUR.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Every Mazda5 year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Mazda5 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mazda5/?y=2006" title="Mazda5 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-mazda5/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Mazda5 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Mazda5 reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 261; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda5 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2006 Mazda5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (33%), tires (33%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mazda5 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2006 Mazda5 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 29,000 miles (24,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Mazda5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
What Mazda5 year is better than the 2006?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works