Reliable Auto DB

2018 Mazda Mazda6 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 over 9 years — 3 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 2 recalls on file, including Fuel pump and Engine.

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

58

Per year

3

Recalls

2

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (32 of 58), then Powertrain (9) and Electrical system (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Mazda6 has 60 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2019 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

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 2018 Mazda Mazda6. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Fuel pump 2021-11-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V875000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Remedy Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Recall Engine 2019-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 19V497000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

Complaints by component (58 total)

Engine
32
Powertrain
9
Electrical system
4
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Service brakes
4
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Suspension
3
Structure
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Wheels
2
Back-over prevention
1
Equipment
1
Other or not sure
1
Seat belts
1
Speed control
1
Steering
1
Tether and lower anchor
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

620194202042021620227202312202492025102026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Have had 3 seats replaced under warranty by Graco and was told to make a report with you. The rigid latch anchors on two have been faulty after 2 months. The second one got stuck in the installed base and pulling the…"
    tether and lower anchor, Other or not sure · filed 2026-08-29
  • "Fuel pump is leaking, just as all the other 2018-2020 fuel pumps but mine doesn’t qualify for the recall."
    Wheels, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-28
  • "The car only has 70k miles on it. The engine started smoking under the hood. Immediately stopped to look. There was oil leaking but I could not see from where. I took it across the street to the Toyota dealership and…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-07
  • "Got error message that said "Forward Smart City Brake Support Malfunction" slso fot "smart brake malfunction" while driving. The ac stopped, the car speedometer kept going from 50 to zero. The car died and couldn't open…"
    Steering, Suspension, Speed control · filed 2026-07-29
  • "Crack in Cylinder Head of engine. Mazda has been sued about this and have issued recalls on turbo engines, but not on non turbo ones though its the same systemic design issue with these engines. Wants me to pay 5-7k out…"
    Engine · filed 2026-04-30

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 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 2017 Mazda Mazda6 See every Mazda Mazda6 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 over 9 years — 3 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 2 recalls on file, including Fuel pump and Engine.

What are common problems with a 2018 Mazda Mazda6?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (32 of 58), then Powertrain (9) and Electrical system (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 Mazda6 has 60 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2019 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 been recalled?

The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Mazda Mazda6?

Owners have filed 58 complaints about the 2018 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.