What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda 6?

Owners name air bags most often, then power train, engine and electrical issues.

Does the 2005 Mazda 6 have recalls?

Yes. The recalls section on this page lists them, and the year fact counts them.

Is the 2005 Mazda 6 reliable?

Reports are mixed. Air bag complaints lead the list, while engine and power train reports are smaller groups. These are unverified owner reports.

What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Mazda 6?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

2005 Mazda 6 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2005 Mazda 6 have?

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file for this car^[1]. The air bags group is the largest^[2].

147owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

20–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Air Bags. 76 complaints^[2]. Owners describe air bags that stayed shut in serious collisions, and cases where a bag opened when nothing had happened.
Power Train. 19 complaints^[5]. Owners describe gear changes that felt wrong, such as the car dropping a gear by itself or refusing to shift, and moments when the car did not respond to the pedal.
Engine. 15 complaints^[6]. Owners describe stalling at lights and on the highway, a car that shut itself off, and engines that needed replacing.
Electrical System. 13 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car cutting out while driving, batteries that failed without warning, and reports of fires in parked cars.
Speed Control. 7 complaints^[8].
Exterior Lighting. 7 complaints^[9].
Brakes. 6 complaints^[10].
Structure. 5 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2005 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]

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 / 28 / 23	$2,900
6, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	20 / 26 / 22	$3,050
6, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
6, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
6 Sport Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
6 Sport Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: WAGON None^[20], 4-DR None^[21].

Engine and size

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

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD /GS-I4/GT-I4^[22]	187 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,051 lb
MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD /GS-V6/GT-V6^[23]	187 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,311 lb
MAZDA6 SPORT 4DR HATCH /GS-I4/GT-I4^[24]	187 in	70 in	57 in	105 in	3,148 lb
MAZDA6 SPORT 4DR HATCH /GS-V6/GT-V6^[25]	187 in	70 in	57 in	105 in	3,395 lb
MAZDA6 SPORT WAGON 4DR WAGON FWD /GS/GT^[26]	189 in	70 in	57 in	105 in	3,415 lb
MAZDASPEED6 4DR SEDAN AWD^[27]	187 in	70 in	57 in	106 in	3,589 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 6 model year. The 2005 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 147 complaints and 3 recalls for 2005^[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2005 and 6 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 2005 6?

The 2005 Mazda 6 has 147 complaints on file^[1]. Air bags stand out as the biggest group by a wide margin^[2]. Power train, engine and electrical complaints follow^[5]^[6]^[7]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, and recalls exist for this model year, so check the recalls section on this page^[3]. If you are shopping for one, have a mechanic look closely at the air bag system, the shifting and the starting.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda 6?: Owners name air bags most often^[2], then power train^[5], engine^[6] and electrical issues^[7].
Does the 2005 Mazda 6 have recalls?: Yes. The recalls section on this page lists them, and the year fact counts them^[3].
How many complaints does the 2005 Mazda 6 have?: NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2005 Mazda 6 reliable?: Reports are mixed. Air bag complaints lead the list^[2], while engine and power train reports are smaller groups^[6]^[5]. These are unverified owner reports.
What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Mazda 6?: See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda 6

2004 160 complaints, 4 recalls
2005 this page
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 2005

2005 Mazda Tribute 377 complaints, 3 recalls

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2005: midsize cars

2005 Acura RL 125 complaints, 11 recalls
2005 Acura TL 388 complaints, 5 recalls
2005 Cadillac CTS 284 complaints, 7 recalls
2005 Lexus ES 200 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 Mercury Sable 83 complaints, 0 recalls
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix 148 complaints, 1 recall

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Mazda 6 (12 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
76 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). 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 / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
19 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,100). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,200). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,200). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). 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
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 (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 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, 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 (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 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, MAZDA6 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, MAZDA6 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, MAZDA6 SPORT 4DR HATCH /GS-I4/GT-I4: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,148 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 SPORT 4DR HATCH /GS-V6/GT-V6: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,395 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 SPORT WAGON 4DR WAGON FWD /GS/GT: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,415 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDASPEED6 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,589 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.

2005 Mazda 6: problems, recalls and fuel economy