Short answer
Among Mazda MAZDA6 model years through 2024, 2020 and 2021 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2009 and 2010 have the most (9). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Mazda MAZDA6: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 20 (2002–2021)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 28
- Fewest recalls
- 2020 and 2021 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2009 and 2010 (9)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (37)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2014, 2015, 2016 and 5 more years
Mazda MAZDA6 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2020 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2019 | 1 | 5 stars | Engine |
| 2018 | 2 | 5 stars | Engine, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2017 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 1 | 5 stars | Air bags |
| 2015 | 3 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Parking brake, Tires |
| 2014 | 4 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Parking brake |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 stars | Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Structure |
| 2012 | 6 | 4 stars | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2011 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2010 | 9 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2009 | 9 | Not rated | Air bags, Structure, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2008 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2007 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2006 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2005 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2004 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Seat belts |
| 2003 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2002 | 1 | Not rated | Parking brake |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20210 recalls
- 20200 recalls
- 20191 recall
- 20182 recalls
- 20171 recall
- 20161 recall
- 20153 recalls
- 20144 recalls
- 20134 recalls
- 20126 recalls
- 20116 recalls
- 20109 recalls
- 20099 recalls
- 20084 recalls
- 20074 recalls
- 20063 recalls
- 20053 recalls
- 20044 recalls
- 20036 recalls
- 20021 recall
Mazda MAZDA6: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Mazda MAZDA6 recalls are air bags (37), fuel system, gasoline (10), latches/locks/linkages (5), structure (5) and parking brake (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 10 of these 20 model years, and 2014, 2015, 2016 and 5 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Mazda MAZDA6 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Mazda MAZDA6?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2020 and 2021 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Mazda MAZDA6 model years have the most recalls?
2009 and 2010 have the most, with 9 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "MAZDA6", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy