What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda 6?

Owners file the most complaints about air bags, then the power train and the engine.

Does the 2004 Mazda 6 have recalls?

Yes. The Recalls section on this page lists them, and the by-year count is in the year comparison.

What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Mazda 6?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2004 Mazda 6 reliable?

Complaints are spread over several groups, with air bags the largest. Check the year comparison on this page for context.

2004 Mazda 6 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2004 Mazda 6 have?

NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mazda 6^[1]. The air bags group is the biggest one^[2].

160owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

19–24MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners filed most, biggest first.

Air Bags. 55 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe bags that did not open in a crash and bags that opened in a very light bump.
Power Train. 19 complaints^[5]. Owners describe rough, jerky gear changes, a whining noise, and a car that sometimes would not leave park.
Engine. 18 complaints^[6]. Owners describe engine noise, a loss of power while driving, overheating from a damaged radiator, and warranty claims that were turned down.
Structure. 15 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a driver door that would not open from inside or outside, a loose grab handle, rust near a wheel well, and a car that sometimes would not start.
Electrical System. 13 complaints^[8].
Brakes. 11 complaints^[9].
Latches/Locks/Linkages. 10 complaints^[10].
Speed Control. 7 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 6 is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V781), October 2019. About 47,006 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V402), June 2018. About 308,591 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (17V474), July 2017. About 308,992 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Seat Belts › Rear/Other (04V582), December 2004. About 190 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
6, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	21 / 29 / 24	$2,800
6, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	20 / 26 / 22	$3,050
6, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
6, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 24 / 19	$3,550
6 Sport Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
6 Sport Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	17 / 24 / 19	$3,550

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 5-DR HATCHBACK None^[21], 5-DR SPORT WAGON None^[22], 4-DR None^[23].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
MAZDA 6 4DR SEDAN FWD / GS-I4/GT-I4^[24]	187 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,051 lb
MAZDA 6 4DR SEDAN FWD /GS-V6/GT-V6^[25]	187 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,311 lb
TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX/DX V6^[26]	173 in	72 in	69 in	103 in	3,148 lb
TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD ES V6^[27]	173 in	72 in	69 in	103 in	3,311 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 6 model year. The 2004 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	174	6
2004	160	4
2005	147	3
2006	173	3
2007	156	4
2008	111	4
2009	386	9
2010	225	9
2011	135	6
2012	99	6
2013	23	4
2014	137	4
2015	60	3
2016	77	1
2017	60	1
2018	58	2
2019	6	1
2020	2	0
2021	17	0

NHTSA's counts for the 6 show 160 complaints and 4 recalls for 2004^[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (2) and the most are for 2009 (386)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2004 6?

These are unverified owner reports, so they show patterns and not proof^[1]. Air bags lead the list by a wide margin^[2]. Power train and engine complaints follow^[5]^[6]. A shopper should check the air bag light, the way the car shifts, and the door latches on any car they look at. The recall and year sections on this page add more detail^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda 6?: Owners file the most complaints about air bags, then the power train and the engine^[2]^[5]^[6].
Does the 2004 Mazda 6 have recalls?: Yes. The Recalls section on this page lists them, and the by-year count is in the year comparison^[3].
How many complaints does the 2004 Mazda 6 have?: NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Mazda 6?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2004 Mazda 6 reliable?: Complaints are spread over several groups, with air bags the largest^[2]. Check the year comparison on this page for context^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda 6

2004 this page
2005 147 complaints, 3 recalls
2006 173 complaints, 3 recalls
2009 386 complaints, 9 recalls
2010 225 complaints, 9 recalls
2012 99 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 23 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 137 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 60 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 77 complaints, 1 recall
2017 60 complaints, 1 recall
2018 58 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Mazda 6

Other Mazda models from 2004

2004 Mazda Tribute 157 complaints, 5 recalls

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2004: midsize cars

2004 Acura RL 11 complaints, 0 recalls
2004 Acura TL 551 complaints, 4 recalls
2004 BMW 5 Series 321 complaints, 6 recalls
2004 Cadillac CTS 229 complaints, 7 recalls
2004 Lexus ES 190 complaints, 2 recalls
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix 454 complaints, 7 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 160 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mazda 6 (11 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 15 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
55 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 6, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
19 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,827). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,900). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,857). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,063). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,894). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V781, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V402, filed June 15, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V474, filed July 26, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V582, filed December 10, 2004: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 6, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 6, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 6, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 6 Sport Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 6 Sport Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5-DR HATCHBACK None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5-DR SPORT WAGON None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA 6 4DR SEDAN FWD / GS-I4/GT-I4: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,051 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA 6 4DR SEDAN FWD /GS-V6/GT-V6: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,311 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX/DX V6: length 173 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,148 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD ES V6: length 173 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,311 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2004 Mazda 6: problems, recalls and fuel economy