NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Mazda 6[1]. Structure, air bags and suspension lead the list, and recalls exist for this year too[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners raise most often, biggest first.
- Structure. 60 complaints[4]. Owners describe a dashboard top that turns sticky and shiny and glares at the driver. Others write about a cracking plastic bumper and mirrors that collect spider webs.
- Air Bags. 54 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, a passenger air bag warning light comes on at odd times. Owners also say repair parts for open recalls were not available at the dealer for a long wait.
- Suspension. 43 complaints[6]. Owners describe a rusted front subframe, a knocking noise up front, and a car that pulls to one side. Some say the part was slow to arrive and costly.
- Unknown Or Other. 33 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a single named component group.
- Steering. 29 complaints[8]. Owners describe a car that drifts and needs constant correction, a wheel that gets stiff after starting, and a loose feel after a bang from the front end.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 6 is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V782), October 2019. About 69,879 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.[9]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V717), October 2018. About 155,436 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.[10]
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm (18V631), September 2018. About 50,176 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[11]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V018), January 2018. About 70,227 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 (17V429), June 2017. About 205,377 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive (16V594), August 2016. About 41,918 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (14V114), March 2014. About 42,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (13V425), September 2013. About 161,400 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (11V134), February 2011. About 52,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
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.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[20].
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2010 Mazda 6 with electric motor[21] | 168 to 170 hp |
| 2010 Mazda 6 with electric motor[22] | 272 hp |
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/GT L4[23] | 194 in | 72 in | 58 in | 110 in | 3,276 lb |
| MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD GS/GT V6[24] | 194 in | 72 in | 58 in | 110 in | 3,549 lb |
| TRIBUTE GS 4DR SUV V6 FWD[25] | 175 in | 71 in | 68 in | 103 in | 3,395 lb |
| TRIBUTE GS/GX/GT 4DR SUV V6 AWD[26] | 175 in | 71 in | 68 in | 103 in | 3,556 lb |
How 2010 compares with other years
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 225 complaints and 9 recalls for 2010[2]. Among the 19 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 1 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (2) and the most are for 2009 (386)[2]. 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 2010 6?
The record for this car is a mixed one. Owners filed 225 complaints[1], and the biggest groups are structure[4], air bags[5] and suspension[6]. Crashes and fires are rare in these reports, with 5 crashes and 2 fires among the complaints[1]. Check that every open recall has been done before you buy, since the year has 9 recalls[2]. Look closely at the dashboard, the front underbody and the steering feel on a test drive.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mazda 6?
- Owners file the most complaints about structure[4], air bags[5] and suspension[6]. See the problems section above for what they describe.
- Does the 2010 Mazda 6 have recalls?
- Yes, the 2010 model year has 9 recalls[2]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
- How many complaints has the 2010 Mazda 6 received?
- NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified owner reports.
- Is the 2010 Mazda 6 reliable?
- The record is mixed. Complaints cluster in a few groups[4][5][6], and the verdict section sums up what to check.
- What gas mileage does the 2010 Mazda 6 get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda 6
Compare all model years of the Mazda 6
Other Mazda models from 2010
Similar cars from 2010: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Mazda 6 (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 60 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 54 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,981). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V782, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V717, filed October 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V631, filed September 14, 2018: Suspension › Front › Control Arm. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V018, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V429, filed June 29, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V594, filed August 11, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V114, filed March 11, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V425, filed September 24, 2013: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V134, filed February 25, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 6, 3.7L 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, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2010 Mazda 6 with electric motor: rated 168 to 170 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2010 Mazda 6 with electric motor: rated 272 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD GS/GT L4: length 194 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,276 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD GS/GT V6: length 194 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 3,549 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE GS 4DR SUV V6 FWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,395 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE GS/GX/GT 4DR SUV V6 AWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,556 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov