VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Mazda Mazda62003–2021
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
6 recalls · 263 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: SUSPENSION
5 recalls · 164 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
7 recalls · 142 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 4 past investigations into the Mazda6 became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
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 | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 8 | — | — | 100 | 96 | 99 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 100 | 95 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 91 | 97 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 47 | — | — | 91 | 85 | 89 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 40 | — | — | 96 | 78 | 90 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 54 | 11 | — | 79 | 71 | 76 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 40 | — | — | 94 | 64 | 84 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 96 | 8 | — | 79 | 58 | 72 | Caution |
| 2013 | 4 | 19 | 1 | — | 99 | 53 | 83 | Good |
| 2012 | 3 | 69 | 6 | — | 79 | 49 | 69 | Good |
| 2011 | 3 | 91 | 6 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2010 | 5 | 164 | 2 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2009 | 6 | 263 | 1 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 3 | 71 | 4 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Good |
| 2007 | 4 | 100 | 6 | 1 | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2006 | 5 | 110 | 6 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2005 | 5 | 107 | 8 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2004 | 6 | 105 | 11 | 1 | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2003 | 7 | 142 | 5 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. 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: 2021 (Buyer Score 99).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 90).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Mazda6 to buy?+
The 2021 Mazda Mazda6 scores highest on our Buyer Score (99/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 96/100. It has 0 recalls and 8 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Mazda6 years have the most problems?+
The 2009, 2010, 2003 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2009 Mazda6 leads with 6 recalls and 263 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: AIR BAGS, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 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.