CarBrief

The 2015 Mazda 6 has 60 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, The 2015 Mazda 6 has 60 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. It also has 3 recalls, and the parking brake recall still had no remedy parts available in the NHTSA record[2][3].

60owner complaints[1]
3recalls[3]
29–32MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Six mention a crash, none a fire, 2 an injury and none a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

Brakes lead the list with 17 complaints, 3 crashes and 1 injury[6]. The median mileage at failure was 28,911[6]. The other groups are small:

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. Here is what stood out, and it is not a measure of how common anything is.

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 8 were about the parking brake recall, mostly owners waiting for parts[6][2]. Four described a hard brake pedal, a car slow to stop or an automatic braking feature that did not act[6].

Power train. In a sample of 8 complaints, 6 described transmission or gear trouble[7]. Owners describe the car losing drive, slipping out of gear, locking up, whining or revving without speeding up[7]. Only 8 complaints name this group[7], so treat it as a pattern to ask about, not a known fault.

Windshield. In a sample of 7 visibility complaints, 6 described a cracked windshield, some from small stones and some with no known impact[8]. Two of 6 structure complaints we read also mention cracks[9].

Rust. Two of the 6 structure complaints we read describe underbody corrosion[9]. One of them gives a failure mileage of about 111,000[9]. Look under any used example.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Remove the sentence, or say 'Ask a dealer whether the recall work has been done.'

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three ratings, all for a 2.5L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive and regular fuel:

Transmission City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Automatic (S6)[4] 28 39 32 $2,100
Automatic (S6), second rating[16] 26 37 30 $2,250
Manual 6-spd[17] 25 35 29 $2,300

The EPA data does not say why the two automatic ratings differ. Fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive car 5 stars overall[5]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[5]. The rollover risk is listed at 10.3%[5].

Engine and size

The 2.5L 4-cylinder is rated 184 hp[18]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the GX/GS/GT 4-door sedan and can differ slightly from US cars[19].

Measure Value
Length 193 in
Width 72 in
Height 57 in
Wheelbase 111 in
Curb weight 3,183 lb

All values are from[19].

How 2015 compares with other years

2003: 174 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 160 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 147 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 173 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 156 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 111 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 386 complaints, 9 recalls20092010: 225 complaints, 9 recalls2011: 135 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 99 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 23 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 137 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 60 complaints, 3 recalls6020152016: 77 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 60 complaints, 1 recalls20172018: 58 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 6 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 2 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 17 complaints, 0 recalls2021
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 6 model year. The 2015 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20031746
20041604
20051473
20061733
20071564
20081114
20093869
20102259
20111356
2012996
2013234
20141374
2015603
2016771
2017601
2018582
201961
202020
2021170

NHTSA shows 60 complaints and 3 recalls for 2015[3]. That is well below 2014 with 137 complaints and 4 recalls, and below 2016 with 77 complaints, though 2016 has only 1 recall[3]. It is also below every year from 2003 to 2012, where complaints range from 99 to 386[3]. Some years are lower: 2013 has 23, 2019 has 6, 2020 has 2 and 2021 has 17[3]. 2017 ties at 60 and 2018 has 58[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a lower number does not prove a more reliable year.

Should you buy a used 2015 Mazda 6?

The complaint count is modest and the safety ratings are good, with 5 stars overall[1][5]. The main thing to check is the parking brake recall, because the remedy was not available when it was filed[2]. Ask for proof that it was done, or have a dealer confirm the status by VIN. Also inspect the underbody for rust and the windshield for cracks, since owners in our sample raised both[8][9]. Test drive for smooth shifting, since the power train complaints in our sample were mostly about the transmission[7]. The data cannot tell us about maintenance costs or oil and towing needs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mazda 6?
Brakes have the most NHTSA complaints at 17 of 60[1][6]. In a sample we read, 8 of 12 brake complaints concern the parking brake recall, and owners also describe windshield cracks and underbody rust[6][8][9].
Does the 2015 Mazda 6 have recalls?
Yes, 3: parking brake (17V393), tire pressure monitor (14V675) and alternator belt (14V173)[2][14][15]. The parking brake remedy was not yet available when filed[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Mazda 6?
The EPA lists 28 city, 39 highway and 32 combined for the best automatic rating, and 25/35/29 for the manual[4][17].
Is the 2015 Mazda 6 safe?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 side and 4 rollover[5].
Is 2015 a good year for the Mazda 6?
It has 60 complaints, fewer than 2014 at 137 and 2016 at 77, but more than 2013 at 23[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Mazda 6 (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 17V393, filed June 22, 2017: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 17 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,911). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 8 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 14V675, filed October 27, 2014: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 14V173, filed April 3, 2014: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  16. 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
  17. EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 GX/GS/GT 4DR SEDAN: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,183 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.