CarBrief

NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Mazda 6, and the car has one recall[1][2]. Brakes have the most complaints by component group, with electrical and power train among the next largest[3][4][5].

77owner complaints[1]
1recalls[6]
29–32MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 77 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Nine mention a crash and none a fire. The complaints report 8 injuries in total and no deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Brakes[3] 14 2 1
Unknown or other[9] 11 4 3
Electrical system[4] 11 1 2
Power train[5] 11 0 1
Seats[10] 9 0 1
Speed control[11] 7 2 2
Engine[12] 7 0 1
Steering[13] 6 3 3

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for the biggest groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

These samples are small, so they show what kinds of trouble owners report, not how likely any of it is. Complaint counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2016 Mazda 6[6].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three ratings for the 2016 Mazda 6[14][7][15]. All use a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine and regular fuel with front-wheel drive[14][7][15].

Transmission City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Automatic (S6)[14] 26 / 37 / 30 $2,250
Automatic (S6)[7] 28 / 38 / 32 $2,100
Manual 6-spd[15] 25 / 36 / 29 $2,300

The EPA lists the two automatic versions separately and our data does not say what sets them apart. Annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

For the 4-door front-wheel-drive version, NHTSA gives 5 stars overall, 5 stars in frontal crash tests and 5 stars in side crash tests[8]. Rollover gets 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.3%[8].

Engine and size

The 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is rated at 183 to 184 hp depending on version[16]. These sizes are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan and can differ slightly from US models[17].

Measure Value
Length[17] 193 in
Width[17] 72 in
Height[17] 57 in
Wheelbase[17] 111 in
Curb weight[17] 3,250 lb

How 2016 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 recalls20152016: 77 complaints, 1 recalls7720162017: 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 2016 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20031746
20041604
20051473
20061733
20071564
20081114
20093869
20102259
20111356
2012996
2013234
20141374
2015603
2016771
2017601
2018582
201961
202020
2021170

Of the 19 Mazda 6 model years in NHTSA's data, 2016 sits in the middle on complaints[6]. It has 77[1]. Eleven years have more, including 2014 with 137 and 2009 with 386[6]. Seven have fewer, including 2015 and 2017 with 60 each and 2018 with 58[6].

On recalls, 2016 has 1[6]. Every year from 2003 to 2015 and 2018 has more. 2017 and 2019 also have 1, and 2020 and 2021 have none[6].

Should you buy a used 2016 Mazda 6?

The numbers are not alarming. The complaint count is mid-range for this model, the car has a single recall with a free fix, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[1][2][8][6]. Before you buy, ask whether the 17V546 work was done. Then test the shifting from a stop, the parking brake and the infotainment screen, since those are what owners in our sample describe[5][3][4]. Complaints are unverified and our sample is small, so treat them as a checklist, not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda 6?
Brakes lead with 14 of 77 NHTSA complaints, followed by unknown or other, electrical system and power train with 11 each[1][3][9][4][5].
Has the 2016 Mazda 6 been recalled?
Yes, once. Recall 17V546 covers possible damage to occupant classification wiring in the front passenger seat. Dealers fix it free[2].
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda 6 get?
The EPA rates it at 30 or 32 MPG combined for the automatic versions and 29 MPG combined for the manual[14][7][15].
How safe is the 2016 Mazda 6?
NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[8].
Is the 2016 Mazda 6 better than other years?
It has fewer complaints than 11 other model years and more than 7, with 1 recall[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Mazda 6 (9 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 17V546, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  3. 14 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 11 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 6 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 183 to 184 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAZDA6 4DR SEDAN: length 193 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,250 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.