CarBrief

NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 1 recall on file for the 2017 Mazda 6[1][2]. In the electrical complaints we read, the touchscreen acting on its own appears again and again[3].

60owner complaints[1]
1recalls[2]
28–30MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 60 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, one mentions an injury, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[6] 23
Electrical system[3] 19
Brakes[7] 4
Engine[8] 4
Forward collision avoidance[9] 4
Power train[10] 3
Structure[11] 2
Seats[12] 2

The biggest group is "unknown or other," so its name tells you nothing about what those owners reported[6].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 11 describe the touchscreen doing things without a touch[3]. Owners describe stations and volume changing, settings changing and phone calls being placed while driving or stopped. They call it distracting[3]. One other text in that sample is about rodent damage to wiring[3].

Forward collision avoidance. In 6 of the 8 texts in the sample we read for this group, owners describe the same touchscreen behavior, and the sample contains repeated texts[9]. One owner describes automatic emergency braking slowing the car on a clear road[9].

Brakes. The 4 texts we read describe four different issues[7]. They include early rust and wear on rotors, pads and calipers, a rear parking brake stuck in a maintenance mode, and automatic braking slowing the car unexpectedly[7].

Engine. The 4 texts we read also describe four different issues[8]. Owners describe rough running and stalling, a knocking sound, a fuel leak and a coolant leak[8]. With so few complaints and no shared theme, we do not read this as a pattern[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[2].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three ratings. All are for a 2.5L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive, on regular fuel[14][15][4].

Transmission City / highway / combined MPG Yearly fuel cost
Manual 6-spd[14] 24 / 34 / 28 $2,400
Automatic (S6)[15] 26 / 35 / 29 $2,300
Automatic (S6)[4] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250

The EPA bases yearly cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not on prices when the car was new[14]. Our data does not say why the two automatic ratings differ.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rated the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, 5 stars in frontal crashes and 5 stars in side crashes[5]. Rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.3%[5].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 2.5L 4-cylinder rated at 184 hp[16]. The size below is for the Mazda 6 4-door sedan[17]. These are Canadian-market specifications[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 2017 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 recalls2017: 60 complaints, 1 recalls6020172018: 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 2017 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20031746
20041604
20051473
20061733
20071564
20081114
20093869
20102259
20111356
2012996
2013234
20141374
2015603
2016771
2017601
2018582
201961
202020
2021170

The 2017 model year has 60 complaints and 1 recall[2]. That is not the lowest in either count.

Several earlier years run higher. 2009 has 386 complaints and 9 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide[2].

Should you buy a used 2017 Mazda 6?

The numbers are modest, with one small recall that has a free fix, a 5-star overall crash rating and 60 complaints[13][5][1]. The repeated theme in the complaint texts we read is the touchscreen acting on its own[3]. Owners call it distracting, so test the screen on a drive, including when the car is stopped[3]. Check that the turn signal cancels after a turn and ask a dealer whether recall 16V753 applies to the car by its VIN[13]. Complaints are unverified and our samples are small, so use this as a checklist.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Mazda 6?
NHTSA lists 60 complaints[1]. In the electrical system texts we read, 11 of 12 describe the touchscreen acting on its own[3]. The largest group, with 23 complaints, is labeled unknown or other[6].
Has the 2017 Mazda 6 been recalled?
Yes, once. Recall 16V753 covers 180 cars[13] with optional accessory fog lights, where the turn signal may not cancel. Dealers replace the switch free[13].
What MPG does the 2017 Mazda 6 get?
The EPA lists 28 combined MPG for the manual, 29 for one automatic (S6) and 30 for another[14][15][4].
Is the 2017 Mazda 6 safe?
NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[5].
Is 2017 a good year for the Mazda 6?
It has 60 complaints and 1 recall[1][2]. 2018 has 58 complaints, and 2013, 2019, 2020 and 2021 have fewer than 2017[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Mazda 6 (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 19 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 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
  6. 23 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 16V753, filed October 18, 2016: Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 34 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. 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.