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2002 Mazda MAZDA6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mazda MAZDA6 are lower than the model-year median of 105.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 4 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

12 reports
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62,000 miles · Jan 10, 2008
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY WELL-MAINTAINED 2002 MAZDA MPV (ODO 66,000MILES) ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS AS IF IT WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, WHICH DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION. HAD IT TOWED TO MAZDA DEALER, WHO CORROBORATED THE DIAGNOSIS, AND PUT IN A REMANUFACTUR…

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I WAS DRIVING MY WELL-MAINTAINED 2002 MAZDA MPV (ODO 66,000MILES) ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS AS IF IT WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HAD CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, WHICH DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION. HAD IT TOWED TO MAZDA DEALER, WHO CORROBORATED THE DIAGNOSIS, AND PUT IN A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. COST TO ME: $3,546.09. DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT; I'M VERY UPSET. I ASKED FOR THE OLD PART, BUT THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE "CORE CHARGE", WHICH I DECLINED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214453

88,000 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Power Train

MY 2002 MAZDA 626 ONLY HAD 88,000 MILES ON THE CAR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206611

63,000 miles · Oct 11, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MAZDA USA MAZDA MPV 2002 DEAR SIRS: I OWN A MAZDA MPV 2002 MODEL WHICH HAS BEEN HAVING MINOR SPORADIC TROUBLE FOR SOME TIME. BETWEEN 1500 AND 1800 RPM IT WOULD SOMETIMES JERK AND SPUTTER AND THEN IT WOULD SETTLE DOWN AND CONTINUE. I'VE TAKEN THIS TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS DURING ROUTINE SCHEDULED SERVICE AND THEY S…

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MAZDA USA MAZDA MPV 2002 DEAR SIRS: I OWN A MAZDA MPV 2002 MODEL WHICH HAS BEEN HAVING MINOR SPORADIC TROUBLE FOR SOME TIME. BETWEEN 1500 AND 1800 RPM IT WOULD SOMETIMES JERK AND SPUTTER AND THEN IT WOULD SETTLE DOWN AND CONTINUE. I'VE TAKEN THIS TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS DURING ROUTINE SCHEDULED SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WELL AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF THIS, FINALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , I REPLACED THE COILS 1,2,3 I NOTICED AN IMPROVEMENT BUT EVENTUALLY THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE REMAINING 3 COILS PLUS A HOSE. FOUR DAYS AFTER LEAVING THE SHOP ON A TRIP OF 50 MILES THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON A HIGHWAY CREATING A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR MY FAMILY. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNRELATED AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF $3400 AFTER HAVING ALREADY SPENT $1200. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205399

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

FROM THE DAY I DROVE MY NEW 2002 MPV HOME THE TRANSMISSION MIS-SHIFTED AND BUCKED. I CALLED THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT "THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS LEARNING MY DRIVING HABITS AND IT WOULD GO AWAY. AFTER 3 MONTHS THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND BEGAN STALLING AT LIGHTS. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY SAID THEY COU…

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FROM THE DAY I DROVE MY NEW 2002 MPV HOME THE TRANSMISSION MIS-SHIFTED AND BUCKED. I CALLED THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT "THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WAS LEARNING MY DRIVING HABITS AND IT WOULD GO AWAY. AFTER 3 MONTHS THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND BEGAN STALLING AT LIGHTS. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHAT THEY NEEDED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO COMPUTER UPGRADES FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE WERE. A YEAR PASSED AND IT CONTINUED TO BUCK AND STALL. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AND TOLD THEM I THOUGHT IT WAS A "LEMON" AND I WANTED IT REPAIRED. THEY TOOK THE CAR AND "FIXED IT" BUT IT HAS CONTINUED TO MIS SHIFT REGULARLY. AT AROUND 25,000 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED IT NEEDED NEW PLUGS. AFTER REPLACING THE PLUGS IT APPEARED TO RUN LESS ERRATICALLY. IT NOW HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALS THAT THE #5 CYLINDER COIL IS OUT. APPARENTLY EACH SPARK PLUG HAS ITS OWN COIL. I HAVE ORDERED THE COIL AND AM WAITING TO SEE WHAT PROBLEM WILL COME UP NEXT. IN OCT 2005 MAZDA SENT OUT A VOLUNTARY LABORATORY EMISSION TESTING FORM. SINCE THEY WANTED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS AND I ALREADY DIDN'T TRUST THERE COMPETENCY I DECLINED THE OFFER. NEVERTHELESS, THIS TOLD ME THAT THEY MUST BE HAVING EMISSION PROBLEMS AS WELL. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR A GOVERNMENT REQUIRED RECALL. THE DEALER NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE, THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOW I HAVE NO RECOURSE. I HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN MAZDA. I WILL BE CONTACTING SOME ATTORNEYS ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL TAKE A FATALITY ON A FREEWAY FROM A FAILED TRANSMISSION BEFORE MAZDA OR THE GOVERNMENT WILL LOOK INTO THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200376

100,700 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MAZDA 626 SEDAN BURNED OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE BEING OPERATED DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS WELL-MAINTAINED DURING MY PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE MAZDA MECHANICS THAT THE 626 WAS "NOTORIOUS" FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS, AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ADVISE ANY ATTE…

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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MAZDA 626 SEDAN BURNED OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE BEING OPERATED DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS WELL-MAINTAINED DURING MY PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE MAZDA MECHANICS THAT THE 626 WAS "NOTORIOUS" FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS, AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ADVISE ANY ATTEMPT TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE PROBABILITY OF A SIMILAR FAILURE WAS HIGH, AND THAT THE "ECAT" TRANSMISSION WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE REBUILT. ESSENTIALLY, ONCE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS IN THIS VEHICLE (AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS SIMPLY A MATTER OF TIME), THAT THE ONLY OPTION TO RECOUP ANY LOSS IS TO SELL THE CAR FOR PARTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197956

58,000 miles · Jun 28, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION AND WATER PUMP WENT OUT AT 58,000 MILES. NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND MAZDA WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR JUST DIED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FIX WAS $4,000 IN REPAIRS PAID BY ME. SIX WEEKS LATER, I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE A COIL AND…

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2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION AND WATER PUMP WENT OUT AT 58,000 MILES. NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND MAZDA WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR JUST DIED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FIX WAS $4,000 IN REPAIRS PAID BY ME. SIX WEEKS LATER, I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE A COIL AND SPARK PLUG FOR ANOTHER $500. THE MECHANIC EVEN SAID THAT I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE MORE COILS IN THE COMING MONTHS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10194902

104,000 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION KIT. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AND THE SAME REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE INSTALLED. UPDA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION KIT. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED A SECOND TIME AND THE SAME REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE INSTALLED. UPDATED 10/6/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVEN IN HOT WEATHER AND CAUSED THE PARTS TO MELT DOWN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167889

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train

ON MAZDA MPV MINIVAN 2002- OVER/DRIVE OFF LIGHT BLINKS, AND CAR BUCKS AS IT TRIES TO SHIFT. IF I SHIFT IT MANUALLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD, AND THEN DRIVE THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF, AND IT WILL START TO SHIFT PROPERLY AGAIN WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. MAZDA SERVICE WANTS TO CHARGE ME $3600.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT IS PROBABLY A …

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ON MAZDA MPV MINIVAN 2002- OVER/DRIVE OFF LIGHT BLINKS, AND CAR BUCKS AS IT TRIES TO SHIFT. IF I SHIFT IT MANUALLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD, AND THEN DRIVE THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF, AND IT WILL START TO SHIFT PROPERLY AGAIN WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. MAZDA SERVICE WANTS TO CHARGE ME $3600.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT IS PROBABLY A FAULTY SENSOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163751

37,000 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Power Train

2002 MAZDA 626 WITH 37000 MILES. HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION ABOUT AUG, 2004. STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. NELSON MAZDA IN NASHVILLE, TN TOLD US SOMEONE FILLED THE FLUID TOO HIGH WHEN WE HAD OUR OIL CHANGED. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS WRONG, AND WE WERE ONLY 2 WEEKS OUT OF OUR WARRANTY, THEY…

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2002 MAZDA 626 WITH 37000 MILES. HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION ABOUT AUG, 2004. STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. NELSON MAZDA IN NASHVILLE, TN TOLD US SOMEONE FILLED THE FLUID TOO HIGH WHEN WE HAD OUR OIL CHANGED. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS WRONG, AND WE WERE ONLY 2 WEEKS OUT OF OUR WARRANTY, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING BUT "ADJUST THE FLUID". THIS WEEK IT STARTED SHIFTING BAD AND BEFORE THE DAY WAS UP IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRUSTWORTHY GARAGE WHO SAID THE TRANS. FLUID WAS "BURNED TO A CRISP" AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AGAIN. NELSON MAZDA WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. NOTHING. A CAR SHOULD NOT NEED HAVE A SECOND BAD TRANSMISSION IN 3 1/2 YEARS AND 37000 MILES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10150402

68,100 miles · Jan 17, 2006
Exterior LightingPower Train

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA PURCHASED NEW FROM KOONS MAZDA 9-17-2002. IN AUGUST OF 2005 I RETURNED TO KOONS TO HAVE A HEADLAMP REPLACED.LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER I NOTICED THE PROJECTION OF MY HEADLAMPS WERE AIMED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SKY.THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE LAYING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.I RETUR…

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I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA PURCHASED NEW FROM KOONS MAZDA 9-17-2002. IN AUGUST OF 2005 I RETURNED TO KOONS TO HAVE A HEADLAMP REPLACED.LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER I NOTICED THE PROJECTION OF MY HEADLAMPS WERE AIMED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SKY.THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE LAYING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.I RETURNED TOKOONS ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME $700.00 PER HEDLAMP ASSY.I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET MAZDA CORPORATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE DECLINED. IM TOLD MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY. BECAUSE THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE HEADLAMPS AND THE EXPOSURE TO OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IT COULD START A FIRE. THEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,THAT ACTIVATES IF I'M DOING 55MPH ON THE BELTWAY'IT CAUSES THE CAR TO SPUTTER AND JERK .THIS IS A BAD WEATHER DEVICE DESIGNED TO AID WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE BAD.THIS FAILURE JUST STARTED IN DECEMBER.I ONLY HAVE 60K MILES ON THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147885

Official recalls

1

03V207000 · Parking Brake:indicator Light

Jun 5, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." DURING PRODUCTION, THE FLOAT IN THE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR IN THE BRAKE RESERVOIR CAN BE FORCED OFF OF THE GUIDE RAIL DURING THE FILLING OF THE MASTER CYLINDER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FLOAT WILL NOT RETURN TO THE GUIDE RAIL AND THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION.

Remedy: MAZDA HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.