Mazda MAZDA6 Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Mazda MAZDA6 across 15 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (28). The words owners use most often: “low beam” (30% of reports).
- 114exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 34 of 114 complaints (30%)
- High beams: mentioned in 10 of 114 complaints (9%)
- Both headlights: mentioned in 8 of 114 complaints (7%)
- Headlight assembly: mentioned in 7 of 114 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 90 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 114 complaints, 4 a fire.
Mazda MAZDA6 exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 MAZDA6 | 1 | 2% | 73,130 |
| 2016 MAZDA6 | 2 | 3% | 58,600 |
| 2014 MAZDA6 | 3 | 2% | 21,000 |
| 2013 MAZDA6 | 4 | 17% | 18,896 |
| 2012 MAZDA6 | 28 | 28% | 55,000 |
| 2011 MAZDA6 | 11 | 8% | 55,000 |
| 2010 MAZDA6 | 21 | 9% | 72,500 |
| 2009 MAZDA6 | 15 | 4% | 55,000 |
| 2008 MAZDA6 | 1 | 1% | 100,000 |
| 2007 MAZDA6 | 5 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 2006 MAZDA6 | 7 | 4% | 90,000 |
| 2005 MAZDA6 | 7 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2004 MAZDA6 | 7 | 4% | 85,747 |
| 2003 MAZDA6 | 1 | 1% | 85,000 |
| 2002 MAZDA6 | 1 | 4% | 68,100 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting:turn signal
Model years: 2017
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2017 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured August 12, 2016, to September 28, 2016 and equipped with optional accessory fog lights. Due to an incorrect combination switch being installed, the turn signals may not automatically cancel by the rotation of the steering wheel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A vehicle continuously driven with the turn signal flashing may result in confusion to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the combination switch, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0316J.
Exterior lighting:fog lights
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain mini vans and passenger vehicles, the socket holder in the fog lights is installed in the lamp casing using pressure. During operation of the fog light, the heat from the bulb can expand the socket holder. The expansion can force the socket holder rearward. After repeatedly being subject to this expansion, if the fog light is also subjected to vibration during vehicle operation, the socket holder with the bulb holder and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light casing.
Risk: Should this occur, the bulb socket and the harness can drop inside the bumper and possibly but rarely, the heat generated by the bulb can cause the bumper to burn.
Fix: Dealers will install a spring to prevent the socket holder from separating from the lamp case. Owner notification began on july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driverâs and passengerâs 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…
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…
The headlights are increasingly failing. They are so dim that i can not safely drive at night. They burn out easily. I have to replace them about 4 times a year now. In the first few years of owning the car the headlights were fine. But now it is a major safely issue for myself and others on the…
The driver's side low beam headlight wiring harness melts and seems to be continuing problem. Even after replacing stock, (which melted,) with a better wiring harness it still began to melt and loose circuit, but like I said it was doing this before ever being replaced. Happens every couple months…
I purchased this vehicle for my 16 yr old daughter 1 yr ago. The car has a clean carfax and has had no accidents. Upon purchasing the car the headlights continue to burn out. Taking it to a Mazda dealership i learned the headlight assembly unit was melting. I had to purchase 2 used headlight…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mazda MAZDA6s have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 114 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Mazda MAZDA6. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mazda MAZDA6 exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Mazda MAZDA6?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 34 of 114 complaints, followed by “high beams” (10).
Other Mazda MAZDA6 problems
- Air Bags problems (636)
- Structure problems (296)
- Electrical System problems (228)
- Suspension problems (226)
- Power Train problems (198)
- Engine problems (139)
- Steering problems (136)
See all Mazda MAZDA6 problems.