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Mazda6.

The best Mazda6 years are 2019, 2011, 2017. Years to avoid: 2003. Across 2010-2021, it has a Lemon Index of 55, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.

Reliability by year, 2003 to 2019.

55Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. Whole model, 2010-2021: 1.8× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2019 · Worst year 2003

Mazda6
Photo shows a 2018 Mazda6. Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.

20031611.6× the complaints2004591.7× fewer complaints2005611.6× fewer complaints2006521.9× fewer complaints2007531.9× fewer complaints2008–few complaints200994about average2010422.4× fewer complaints2011234.3× fewer complaints2012621.6× fewer complaints2014581.7× fewer complaints2015611.6× fewer complaints2016831.2× fewer complaints2017333× fewer complaints2018442.3× fewer complaints2019166.2× fewer complaints

Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.

Best years to buy

2019.

2019166.2× fewer complaints than average2011234.3× fewer complaints than average2017333× fewer complaints than average

Years to avoid

2003.

20031611.6× the average car's complaints

Quick answers.

Is the Mazda6 a good car?

Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2021: Lemon Index 55; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2019 and the worst is 2003.

What are the best Mazda6 years to buy?

By owner complaints per car sold: 2019, 2011, 2017.

What Mazda6 years should you stay away from?

The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2003.

How many recalls does the Mazda6 have?

82 safety recalls across the 16 model years we track. Most: 2009 (10), 2003 (9), 2010 (9). Each year's page lists them.

What are the most common Mazda6 problems?

Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, engine and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.

Every year in one table
YearIndexCompared with averageComplaintsTop complaintRecallsCrash testMPG
20031611.6× the average car's complaints87engine (28%)9—20–24
2004591.7× fewer complaints than average36service brakes, hydraulic (19%)7—19–24
2005611.6× fewer complaints than average30transmission & drivetrain (30%)6—20–23
2006521.9× fewer complaints than average24engine (33%)6—20–24
2007531.9× fewer complaints than average28transmission & drivetrain (32%)6—20–24
2008–too few complaints to score16electrical (19%)5—20–24
200994about average29tires (24%)10—20–24
2010422.4× fewer complaints than average17electrical (24%)9—20–24
2011234.3× fewer complaints than average10fuel system, gasoline (30%)6★★★★☆21–25
2012621.6× fewer complaints than average24lights (67%)6★★★★☆21–25
2014581.7× fewer complaints than average62brakes (18%)4★★★★★29–32
2015611.6× fewer complaints than average43brakes (28%)3★★★★★29–32
2016831.2× fewer complaints than average41transmission & drivetrain (17%)1★★★★★29–32
2017333× fewer complaints than average13electrical (23%)1★★★★★28–30
2018442.3× fewer complaints than average14engine (29%)2★★★★★26–29
2019166.2× fewer complaints than average4steering (25%)1★★★★★26–29

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works

Mazda6 transmission problems by year →

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data