What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda 6?

The biggest complaint groups are air bags with 30 complaints and exterior lighting with 28 complaints. Owners describe repeated headlight bulb failures and air bag warning lights. See the problems section above.

Has the 2012 Mazda 6 been recalled?

Yes. The by-year data shows 6 recalls for 2012. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints does the 2012 Mazda 6 have?

NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Are there electrical problems with the 2012 Mazda 6?

Owners filed 12 complaints about the electrical system. They describe headlights that cut out while driving. Exterior lighting has its own group with 28 complaints.

What is the MPG and crash rating of the 2012 Mazda 6?

See the fuel economy and safety sections of this page for the figures.

2012 Mazda 6 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on file for this Mazda 6^[1]. Air bags and exterior lighting are the two biggest groups^[2]^[3].

99owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[4]

21–25MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name, biggest first.

Air Bags. 30 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights that came back after repairs, a dashboard surface that cracked near the passenger air bag, and long waits for parts on a safety repair.
Exterior Lighting. 28 complaints^[3]. Owners describe low beam bulbs that burn out again and again, even after upgraded bulbs, and dealers who found nothing wrong. Some say the lights are dim for night driving.
Unknown Or Other. 20 complaints^[7]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Electrical System. 12 complaints^[8]. Owners describe headlights that cut out while driving and wiring near the lamps that looked damaged. Owners also describe the car stalling or shutting off on the road.
Structure. 12 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a dashboard that turns sticky and shiny in the sun, and a door that would not stay closed.
Suspension. 8 complaints^[10].
Steering. 4 complaints^[11].
Engine. 3 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 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.^[13]
Structure (19V323), April 2019. About 51,118 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.^[14]
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.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V457), July 2017. About 79,402 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.^[16]
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.^[17]
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.^[18]

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, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	21 / 30 / 24	$2,800
6, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[6]	4	3	4	5	9.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[21]	168 to 170 hp
2012 Mazda 6 with 3.7L 6-cylinder^[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 V6^[23]	194 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,549 lb
MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD GS/GX-L/GT I4^[24]	194 in	72 in	58 in	110 in	3,276 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 6 model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[4].

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 99 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012^[4]. Among the 19 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 10 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (2) and the most are for 2009 (386)^[4]. 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 2012 6?

The 2012 Mazda 6 has 99 complaints on file with NHTSA^[1]. Air bags and exterior lighting stand out, with 30 and 28 complaints^[2]^[3]. Owners describe headlight bulbs that keep failing, and some describe headlights cutting out while driving. The page also lists 6 recalls for this year^[4], so check that any open ones have been repaired. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat the counts as a guide to what owners raise and not as a failure rate.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mazda 6?: The biggest complaint groups are air bags with 30 complaints^[2] and exterior lighting with 28 complaints^[3]. Owners describe repeated headlight bulb failures and air bag warning lights. See the problems section above.
Has the 2012 Mazda 6 been recalled?: Yes. The by-year data shows 6 recalls for 2012^[4]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2012 Mazda 6 have?: NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
Are there electrical problems with the 2012 Mazda 6?: Owners filed 12 complaints about the electrical system^[8]. They describe headlights that cut out while driving. Exterior lighting has its own group with 28 complaints^[3].
What is the MPG and crash rating of the 2012 Mazda 6?: See the fuel economy and safety sections of this page for the figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda 6

2006 173 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 225 complaints, 9 recalls
2012 this page
2014 137 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 60 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 77 complaints, 1 recall
2017 60 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Mazda 6

Other Mazda models from 2012

2012 Mazda 3 226 complaints, 1 recall
2012 Mazda CX-9 221 complaints, 4 recalls

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars

2012 Volkswagen Passat 484 complaints, 11 recalls
2012 Acura TL 130 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Audi A6 60 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Buick Regal 92 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 Cadillac CTS 67 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Cruze 865 complaints, 7 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Mazda 6 (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). 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: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,250). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,750). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V782, filed October 31, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V323, filed April 25, 2019: Structure. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V717, filed October 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V457, filed July 18, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. 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
EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 6, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 168 to 170 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Mazda 6 with 3.7L 6-cylinder: rated 272 hp. www.epa.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, MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN FWD GS/GX-L/GT I4: 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

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.

2012 Mazda 6: problems, recalls and fuel economy