What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mazda 6?

The engine group has the most owner complaints. Power train and brakes follow.

Does the 2018 Mazda 6 have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists recalls for this model year. See the recalls section on this page for the details.

Is the 2018 Mazda 6 reliable?

The complaints lean toward the engine group. Owners also report brake and power train issues. Check the recalls and service history of any car you plan to buy.

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Mazda 6?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2018 Mazda 6 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there for the 2018 Mazda 6?

NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on file for this Mazda^[1]. The engine group stands out with 32 of them^[2].

58owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

26–29MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA reports, biggest first.

Engine. 32 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car stalling at a green light, belts and tensioners wearing out early, coolant leaks and costly repair quotes. One owner reports a fire while the car was parked.
Unknown or other. 9 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a clear component group.
Power train. 9 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car shutting off on its own, surging and rough shifting, and clunks and vibration from underneath.
Electrical system. 4 complaints^[8].
Brakes. 4 complaints^[9]. Owners describe stuck calipers, rusted rotors and worn pads that needed work sooner than expected.
Fuel/propulsion system. 4 complaints^[10]. Owners describe the car stalling in traffic and not restarting, plus a leaking fuel pump.
Suspension. 3 complaints^[11].
Fuel system, gasoline. 3 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 6 is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (21V875), November 2021. About 121,038 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) (19V497), June 2019. About 262,220 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

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, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	24 / 33 / 27	$2,500
6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	26 / 35 / 29	$2,300
6, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	23 / 31 / 26	$2,600

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	10.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[17]	187 to 227 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^[18]	193 in	72 in	57 in	111 in	3,250 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 6 model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[3].

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 58 complaints and 2 recalls for 2018^[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 14 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (2) and the most are for 2009 (386)^[3]. 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 2018 6?

NHTSA has 58 complaints for this model year^[1]. The engine group is the largest by a wide margin^[2]. Power train and brakes also show up in the reports^[7]^[9]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a list of things to check. Look at the recalls section above and ask for service records before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mazda 6?: The engine group has the most owner complaints^[2]. Power train and brakes follow^[7]^[9].
Does the 2018 Mazda 6 have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists recalls for this model year^[3]. See the recalls section on this page for the details.
How many complaints are there for the 2018 Mazda 6?: NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2018 Mazda 6 reliable?: The complaints lean toward the engine group^[2]. Owners also report brake and power train issues^[7]^[9]. Check the recalls and service history of any car you plan to buy.
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Mazda 6?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda 6

2006 173 complaints, 3 recalls
2009 386 complaints, 9 recalls
2010 225 complaints, 9 recalls
2012 99 complaints, 6 recalls
2014 137 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 60 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 77 complaints, 1 recall
2017 60 complaints, 1 recall
2018 this page

Compare all model years of the Mazda 6

Other Mazda models from 2018

2018 Mazda CX-9 128 complaints, 2 recalls

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2018: midsize cars

2018 Volkswagen Passat 46 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Malibu 711 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Ford Fusion 508 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Lincoln MKZ 37 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Maxima 36 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Sentra 185 complaints, 2 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Mazda 6 (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). 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 (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V875, filed November 12, 2021: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V497, filed June 27, 2019: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 6, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Mazda 6 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 187 to 227 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
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.

2018 Mazda 6: problems, recalls and fuel economy