2006 Mazda MAZDA6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 19, 2024 · 173 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other MAZDA6 years
More complaints than other years 4th of 20 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6. That ranks 4th out of 20 MAZDA6 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (93 complaints, 54%), typically at around 90,000 miles. Complaints mention 13 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. There are 3 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.

Compare with another car

Most common 2006 Mazda MAZDA6 problems

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

Air Bags93 · ~90,000 mi
Power Train20 · ~51,500 mi
Electrical System11 · ~81,000 mi
Engine10 · ~97,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling9 · ~7,347 mi
Exterior Lighting7 · ~90,000 mi
Steering7 · ~109,000 mi
Structure7 · ~80,500 mi
Tires7 · ~136,056 mi
Vehicle Speed Control5 · ~54,250 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems9354%90,000“numbers air bags” (31%)—
Power Train2012%51,500——
Electrical System116%81,000——
Engine106%97,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling95%7,347——
Exterior Lighting74%90,000——
Steering74%109,000——
Structure74%80,500——
Tires74%136,056——
Vehicle Speed Control53%54,250——
Service Brakes42%107,500——
Suspension42%142,000——
Fuel/propulsion System32%80,575——
Fuel System, Gasoline32%1,600——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic32%30,000——
Equipment21%1,000——
Seat Belts21%80,000——
Visibility21%12,000——
Child Seat11%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%———
Latches/locks/linkages11%127,000——
Unknown or Other11%140,000——
Wheels11%12,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 44 complaints
2006: 9200692007: 882008: 4200842009: 332010: 3201032011: 552012: 3201232013: 14142014: 112014112015: 44442016: 422016422017: 662018: 4201842019: 662020: 3202032021: 332022: 3202232024: 22

n = 173 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2006 Mazda MAZDA6 recalls (3)

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.

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.

The front beam crossmember sub k frame of this vehicle has failed due to corrosion. This has resulted in a loss of steering control. Fortunately his failure was discovered while the vehicle was parked or it could have resulted in a very serious vehicle accident. There was an acknowledgment (and…

Suspension · received Apr 19, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11584118

The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the local service center for maintenance, it was discovered that rust and corrosion was present on the front passenger’s side lower control arm. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified…

Structure · received Mar 18, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11577954

Car is mint for age. Stock oem hid style headlights failed, headlights are still clear. The turn signals failed and activated safetys. Ground plug under air filter assembly that is a piece of metal bolted to car with 5 wires that plug into it corroded so bad no ground connection and each of the…

Exterior Lighting · received Dec 18, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11497946

The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine made a loud ticking noise. The contact stated that once the vehicle had warmed up, the would drive normal; however, while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle…

Engine · received Jul 5, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11472316

The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Mazda6. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V744000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the nearest dealer that was able to perform the recall repair was 3-hours away. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Feb 16, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11452227

Other Mazda MAZDA6 years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6?

Owners most often report air bags, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 93 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2006 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 2006 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.