Reliable Auto DB

2016 Mazda Mazda6 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 holds 77 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 12 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Mazda6 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Electric power steering.

2012 Mazda Mazda6
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

77

Per year

12

Recalls

1

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (11 of 77), then Powertrain (11) and Service brakes (11). Those filings include 9 that report a crash and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Mazda6 has 60 complaints, 11 per year, and the 2017 has 60 complaints, 3 per year. The 2016 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Mazda Mazda6. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Electric power steering 2017-08-31 · NHTSA campaign 17V546000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.

Complaints by component (77 total)

Electrical system
11
Powertrain
11
Service brakes
11
Seats
9
Engine
7
Speed control
7
Air bags
6
Steering
6
Structure
5
Suspension
5
Wheels
5
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Exterior lighting
2
Parking brake
2
Seat belts
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Forward collision avoidance
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Tires
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

9

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

520151320161120176201862019112020220216202232023420247202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was noticed inside the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-31
  • "The front CV axles on my car have failed. It begun with a clicking noise and vibration when accelerating. I took the car to the Mazda dealership, and they confirmed the sounds but said they weren't able to diagnose the…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-05-19
  • "The vehicle exhibits dangerous electronic malfunctions. A licensed technician (MV-113255) has confirmed a sporadic unintended acceleration defect where the cruise control 'decrease' button causes the vehicle to increase…"
    Speed control, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2026-04-22
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that after her husband had driven for approximately 2 hours with the seat heater activated, the passenger’s side seat overheated, and the seat started smoking.…"
    Electrical system, Seats · filed 2025-10-21
  • "My seat doesn’t detect if passanger is in seat so my air bag engine light goes on and off it was recalled and mazda supposedly cleared the issue but seems like they didnt fix it the recall properly"
    Air bags, Seat belts, Seats · filed 2025-07-25

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Mazda Mazda6 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (GJ/GL), 2014–2021
Body styles Sedan
Oil SAE 0W-20 (gasoline SKYACTIV-G 2.5; 5W-30 where manual specifies) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/45R19

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V-393 covers certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles (with 2014-2016 Mazda3): water can enter the brake caliper so the parking- brake actuator shaft corrodes and binds, preventing full engage or release; dealers check and replace corroded shafts. Campaign 17V-546 covers certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles where welding debris on the front passenger seat frame may damage occupant-classification wiring, risking loss of power steering assist and passenger air-bag deactivation; dealers attach a protective pad and tape damaged harnesses. Campaign 14V-675 covers certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles for tire-pressure monitoring compliance. Confirm open campaigns by VIN.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Mazda Mazda6 Next year 2017 Mazda Mazda6 See every Mazda Mazda6 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 holds 77 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 12 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Mazda6 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Electric power steering.

What are common problems with a 2016 Mazda Mazda6?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (11 of 77), then Powertrain (11) and Service brakes (11). Those filings include 9 that report a crash and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Mazda6 has 60 complaints, 11 per year, and the 2017 has 60 complaints, 3 per year. The 2016 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 been recalled?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda6 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Mazda Mazda6?

Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a Mazda Mazda6 use?

US Mazda6 manuals specify SAE 0W-20 for SKYACTIV-G 2.5L engines (5W-30 where the manual specifies).

What does NHTSA campaign 17V-393 cover on the Mazda6?

Certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles (with 2014-2016 Mazda3): water can enter the brake caliper so the parking-brake actuator shaft corrodes and binds; dealers check and replace corroded shafts.

What tire sizes does the Mazda6 use by generation?

Second gen (2012-2013) lists 215/55R17. Third gen (2014-2021) lists 225/45R19 on this site.