VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mazda Mazda62014–2021
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Mazda Mazda6
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Mazda Mazda6 Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 137 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall · 74 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: SEATS
3 recalls · 60 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
Mazda Mazda6 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 17 | — | 83 | 88 | 85 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 2 | — | 98 | 84 | 93 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 5 | — | 90 | 74 | 84 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 50 | 1 | 60 | 62 | 61 | Caution |
| 2017 | 1 | 55 | 1 | 65 | 50 | 60 | Caution |
| 2016 | 1 | 74 | 8 | 61 | 40 | 54 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 60 | 2 | 54 | 40 | 49 | Caution |
| 2014 | 4 | 137 | 7 | 47 | 40 | 45 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Mazda Mazda6 Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Mazda6 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 93).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Mazda6 to buy?+
The 2020 Mazda Mazda6 scores highest on our Buyer Score (93/100) — combining a reliability score of 98/100 with a value score of 84/100. It has 0 recalls and 2 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Mazda6 years have the most problems?+
The 2014, 2016, 2015 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2014 Mazda6 leads with 4 recalls and 137 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Mazda6 problems?+
The most frequently reported Mazda Mazda6 issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.