2004 Mazda MAZDA6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 6, 2026 · 160 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other MAZDA6 years
More complaints than other years 5th of 20 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6. That ranks 5th out of 20 MAZDA6 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (55 complaints, 34%), typically at around 110,500 miles. Complaints mention 11 crashes, 5 fires, 15 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags55 · ~110,500 mi
Power Train19 · ~55,000 mi
Structure15 · ~92,900 mi
Electrical System13 · ~55,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling11 · ~73,250 mi
Latches/locks/linkages10 · ~96,063 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8 · ~35,000 mi
Engine7 · ~58,327 mi
Exterior Lighting7 · ~85,747 mi
Vehicle Speed Control7 · ~25,895 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems5534%110,500“numbers air bags” (24%)—
Power Train1912%55,000——
Structure159%92,900——
Electrical System138%55,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling117%73,250——
Latches/locks/linkages106%96,063——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic85%35,000——
Engine74%58,327——
Exterior Lighting74%85,747——
Vehicle Speed Control74%25,895——
Fuel System, Gasoline64%23,455——
Seats43%58,927——
Suspension43%41,000——
Tires43%47,000——
Unknown or Other43%———
Visibility43%1,500——
Seat Belts32%70,878——
Steering32%118,822——
Equipment21%2,328——
Service Brakes21%51,501——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%127,643——
Parking Brake11%6,500——
Traction Control System11%32,864——
Visibility/wiper11%34,000——
Wheels11%110,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 26 complaints
2004: 1120042005: 102006: 620062007: 92008: 620082009: 82010: 720102011: 122012: 820122013: 82014: 1020142015: 26262016: 2420162017: 82018: 120182019: 12020: 120202021: 12023: 120232024: 12026: 12026

n = 160 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Mazda MAZDA6 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveOct 31, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V781000 · 47,006 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJun 15, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V402000 · 308,591 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not driveJul 26, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V474000 · 308,992 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.

Seat belts:rear/otherDec 10, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V582000 · 190 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the right and/or left rear seat belts may not lock properly due to missing retaining pins on the housing.

Risk: The locking mechanism of the seat belt retractor may malfunction, increasing the risk of death or serious injury to the rear seat passengers in the event of a crash. Passengers should not sit and child seats should not be used in the right or left rear seats until this defect has been corrected.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear seat belts and replace defective seat belt retractors. The recall began on december 27, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA15001) — opened Feb 24, 2015, still open, led to recall 14V668.
  • Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Have contacted Sport Durst Mazda in [XXX] about recall on air bags. Told me I had to drive vehicle to their shop. Told them the letter said Do Not Drive. They said they'd do the recall if I bring it to them. I live in [XXX]. I don't understand why I can not get repair done unless I drive my 2004…

Air Bags · received Aug 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755349

Very hard shifts from 1st to 3rd gear it's a automatic transmission it's getting worse it will do it at random times and it's getting to the point I'm scared to drive the car. mazda should listen to everyone else's problems with the same transmission it's ridiculous

Power Train · received Mar 19, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11578319

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights were inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact replaced the bulbs, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who…

Exterior Lighting · received Apr 20, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11518013

We no longer own this vehicle. It was sold at auction about 3 years ago. Please stop sending me these real notices. Vin is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Unknown or Other · received Apr 13, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11407838

I bought this car for 3,000 from the owner had it for 2 months, got oil and all fluids changed. When i was leaving my house a block away it totally died on me and now it wont start at all. I am very frustrated because i dont have the money to buy abother one. Or even repair it.

Service Brakes · received Aug 8, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11344097

Other Mazda MAZDA6 years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6?

Owners most often report air bags, power train, structure problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 55 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MAZDA6 model years, the 2004 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.