The best and worst Mazda Mazda6 years, by the numbers
Short answer: among Mazda Mazda6s old enough to judge (2005–2021), the 2013 and 2019–2021 have the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The 2009–2011 have the most.
We counted every owner complaint filed with the federal government (NHTSA) for each model year and divided by how many were sold that year, so a year that sold more doesn’t look worse just for being popular. Years newer than 2021 are shown but not ranked — they haven’t been on the road long enough. How this is calculated.
Years with the most complaints
2009 Mazda Mazda6 · 108.4 per 10,000 sold (5.8× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion, typically around 120,219 miles; then doors, windows, latches, seats and trim.
2010 Mazda Mazda6 · 63.1 per 10,000 sold (3.4× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion, typically around 109,600 miles; then doors, windows, latches, seats and trim.
2011 Mazda Mazda6 · 37.5 per 10,000 sold (2.0× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported: Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion, typically around 103,000 miles; then airbags, seatbelts and restraints.
Years with the fewest complaints
2013 Mazda Mazda6 · 5.0 per 10,000 sold (0.3× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion, typically around 67,000 miles.
2019 Mazda Mazda6 · 2.8 per 10,000 sold (0.1× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Cooling system: radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan.
2020 Mazda Mazda6 · 1.2 per 10,000 sold (0.1× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Pads and rotors.
2021 Mazda Mazda6 · 9.2 per 10,000 sold (0.5× this model’s typical year)
Most-reported, even so: Oil consumption and leaks.
Every year: complaints per 10,000 sold
Typical Mazda Mazda6 year: 18.7 per 10,000 sold.
Complaints are counted once each, even when an owner lists several parts. Sales are US units sold in the calendar year, a close stand-in for the model year.
Common questions
What is the worst year for the Mazda Mazda6?
Among Mazda Mazda6s old enough to judge (2005–2021), the 2009 has the most owner complaints per 10,000 sold: 108.4, about 5.8× a typical Mazda Mazda6 year. The 2010–2011 also stand out.
What is the best year for the Mazda Mazda6?
The 2020 has the fewest owner complaints per 10,000 sold among Mazda Mazda6s from 2005–2021: 1.2, against 18.7 for a typical year. The 2013, 2019 and 2021 are also well below typical.
What goes wrong on the 2009 Mazda Mazda6?
The most-reported problem on the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 is subframe, cradle and frame corrosion, typically around 120,219 miles.
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Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; US sales from public industry figures. Complaints are self-reported and not independently verified. This is not an inspection and not a recommendation to buy or avoid any vehicle.