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2014 Mazda 6: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Mazda 6, and electrical problems are the biggest group[1][2]. The car has had four recalls, and the parking brake recall still listed remedy parts as unavailable[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 137 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 7 mention injuries, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.
Here are the biggest groups:
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system[2] | 47 | 58,000 |
| Power train[7] | 19 | 45,000 |
| Brakes[8] | 17 | 56,000 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 17 | 38,000 |
| Engine[10] | 15 | 46,000 |
| Electronic stability control[11] | 10 | 56,000 |
| Speed control[12] | 9 | 30,164 |
| Steering[13] | 9 | 17,000 |
We also read a small sample of the complaint texts in each of the top groups. These are the themes we saw, not a measure of how common they are.
- Electrical. In the 12 electrical complaints we read, 7 describe the push-button ignition not shutting the car off fully[2]. Owners say the radio and other power stay on and the battery can drain[2].
- Power train. In the 12 power train complaints we read, 5 describe the same shut-off trouble, with the car not registering Park[7]. Another 3 describe the engine suddenly revving or the car lurching forward while stopped with a foot on the brake[7].
- Engine. In the 12 engine complaints we read, 7 describe stalling or losing power while driving, often with warning lights[10]. Owners say they had to pull over and restart[10].
- Brakes. In the 12 brake complaints we read, about half mention the parking brake sticking, not holding or not engaging[8]. Some of those texts are duplicates[8].
Speed control has only 9 complaints, but 4 of them mention a crash and 2 mention injuries[12]. Steering also has 9 complaints, with 2 injuries and a median of 17,000 miles[13].
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year, newest first.
- Remedy pending
Parking brake (17V393). Filed 2017-06-22 and covers 227,814 units[4]. Water can get into the brake caliper and corrode the parking brake shaft, so it may bind. The parking brake may then not engage or release fully, and a parked car could roll on a slope. The fix is a dealer check and replacement of corroded shafts, free of charge. Remedy not yet available: the record says remedy parts were unavailable and owners would get a second notice when they arrive[4]. - Tire pressure monitor (14V675). Filed 2014-10-27 and covers 99,711 units[14]. If all four tires slowly lose pressure at once, the warning system may not alert the driver. That raises the risk of a tire failure. Dealers update the software free of charge, and the recall began on December 10, 2014[14].
- Alternator belt (14V173). Filed 2014-04-03 and covers 5,700 units[15] with a 2.5L engine and regenerative braking, built in a set window. In heavy rain or deep puddles the belt can slip, and the computer may wrongly decide the charging system failed. The car could then accelerate poorly, lose steering assist and wipers, or stall. Dealers reprogram the computer free of charge, and the recall began on May 19, 2014[15].
- Fuel tank overfill (14V170). Filed 2014-04-03 and covers 19,000 units[16] built in a set window. The tank can be filled past its rated capacity, and gas can reach a charcoal canister and leak from its vent, which raises fire risk. Dealers add an adapter to the shut-off valve and check the canister, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014[16].
Check your own VIN with NHTSA to see which recalls apply to a specific car.
Fuel economy
EPA lists three versions, all with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and regular fuel[17][18][5].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Manual 6-spd[17] | 25 / 36 / 29 | $2,300 |
| Automatic (S6)[18] | 26 / 37 / 30 | $2,250 |
| Automatic (S6), second listing[5] | 28 / 39 / 32 | $2,100 |
EPA bases the annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[17].
Safety ratings
NHTSA rates the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall[6]. Frontal is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.3%[6].
Engine and size
EPA lists the 2.5L 4-cylinder at 183 to 184 hp, depending on version[19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[20].
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length[20] | 193 in |
| Width | 72 in |
| Height | 58 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lb |
These figures are for the 4-door sedan GX/GS/GT[20].
How 2014 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 |
The 2014 model year has 137 complaints and 4 recalls on file with NHTSA[3]. Seven other years list more complaints: 2003 (174), 2004 (160), 2005 (147), 2006 (173), 2007 (156), 2009 (386) and 2010 (225)[3]. The 2011 year is just below at 135[3].
Some neighboring years list fewer. 2013 has 23 complaints, 2015 has 60 and 2016 has 77[3]. On recalls, 2009 and 2010 have 9 each, and 2003, 2011 and 2012 have 6 each[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide within the same model.
Should you buy a used 2014 Mazda 6?
The record shows a car with a strong overall crash rating of 5 stars and 29 to 32 combined MPG[6][17][5]. The complaint sample points to an ignition that may not shut off fully and some stalling reports, so test the start and shut-down several times[2][10]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls, especially the parking brake one, whose remedy parts were listed as unavailable[4]. Complaints are unverified and our theme counts come from a small sample. That makes a pre-purchase inspection a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mazda 6?
- Electrical system is the largest complaint group with 47 of 137 complaints[1][2]. In a small sample we read, owners describe the push-button ignition not fully shutting the car off[2].
- Has the 2014 Mazda 6 been recalled?
- Yes, NHTSA lists four recalls: parking brake (17V393), tire pressure monitor (14V675), alternator belt (14V173) and fuel tank overfill (14V170)[4][14][15][16]. The parking brake remedy was listed as not yet available[4].
- What gas mileage does the 2014 Mazda 6 get?
- EPA lists 29 combined MPG for the manual and 30 or 32 for the automatic listings[17][18][5].
- Is the 2014 Mazda 6 safe?
- NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal and 4 stars rollover[6].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 137 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Mazda 6 (14 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 47 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V393, filed June 22, 2017: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,164). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V675, filed October 27, 2014: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V173, filed April 3, 2014: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V170, filed April 3, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2014 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 183 to 184 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN GX/GS/GT: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,230 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov