CarModelProblems.com

2006 Mazda MAZDA6 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 6.0× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
173Complaints
6Recalls
13Crashes
1Fires
8Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (51.4% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 6.0× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags89 · 51.4%RecalledRecall 18V402000 · Recall 19V781000 · Recall 17V474000
Power Train17 · 9.8%not available
Engine10 · 5.8%not available
Electrical System9 · 5.2%not available
Tires7 · 4%not available
Exterior Lighting7 · 4%RecalledRecall 09E012000 · Recall 09E025000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS89 · 51.4%
POWER TRAIN17 · 9.8%
ENGINE10 · 5.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 5.2%
TIRES7 · 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING7 · 4%
STEERING6 · 3.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 2.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4 · 2.3%
SERVICE BRAKES4 · 2.3%

Percentages are the share of the 173 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V402000 · 2018 · reported 06/15/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V781000 · 2019 · reported 10/31/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V474000 · 2017 · reported 07/26/2017

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 09E011000 · 2009 · reported 04/02/2009

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY…”NHTSA complaint 10883063 — filed 07/06/2016 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS), 16V345000 (AIR BAGS), 15V869000 (AIR…”NHTSA complaint 10876368 — filed 06/24/2016 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V869000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO…”NHTSA complaint 10865562 — filed 05/18/2016 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

320095520113182013174620154562017672019632021442024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 89 of 173 NHTSA complaints (51.4%), followed by power train (17), engine (10), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6 have?

173 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6 have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V402000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Mazda MAZDA6's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.