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2016 Mazda MAZDA6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA6 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 105.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 23 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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125,166 miles · Aug 31, 2026
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was noticed inside the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the clutch disc kit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…

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The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was noticed inside the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the clutch disc kit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,166.

NHTSA ODI #11760866

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2026
Power Train

The front CV axles on my car have failed. It begun with a clicking noise and vibration when accelerating. I took the car to the Mazda dealership, and they confirmed the sounds but said they weren't able to diagnose the issue and that I would have to leave my car for them to figure it out. This places my daughter and my life at r…

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The front CV axles on my car have failed. It begun with a clicking noise and vibration when accelerating. I took the car to the Mazda dealership, and they confirmed the sounds but said they weren't able to diagnose the issue and that I would have to leave my car for them to figure it out. This places my daughter and my life at risk, as well as other passengers, due to the critical role the CV axles play in operating a vehicle. More specifically, the ability to properly control my steering movement while transporting my daughter to and from school is necessary and if not present, very dangerous. An independent service mechanic has confirmed this issue and indicated that this issue has been seen in many Ford and Mazda's recently. However, there is no recall. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the problem occurring. Again, when Mazda recently services my vehicle, they conducted a full-circle vehicle inspection and did not produce any concerns.

NHTSA ODI #11738817

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2025
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainInjury

PCM ISSUE, passenger air bag issue, OCS wiring issue. infotainment system, transmission, and engine. Key fobs not able to be reprogrammed due to PCM issue

NHTSA ODI #11667949

70,000 miles · Mar 24, 2025
Power TrainSuspension

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension)…

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The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V451000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11650328

11,500 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Power Train

THE CAR SOMETIMES HAS A DELAY BETWEEN GOING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. DURING THE DELAY, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THEN IT LURCHES FORWARD. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY WITH A LONGER TIME BEFORE THE ENGINE ENGAGES. THIS ALSO OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN (AND STAYING IN DRIVE THE ENTIRE TIME.) THE CAR HAS ~12,…

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THE CAR SOMETIMES HAS A DELAY BETWEEN GOING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. DURING THE DELAY, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THEN IT LURCHES FORWARD. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY WITH A LONGER TIME BEFORE THE ENGINE ENGAGES. THIS ALSO OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN (AND STAYING IN DRIVE THE ENTIRE TIME.) THE CAR HAS ~12,000 MILES ON IT BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SOON AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER WITH LESS THAN 10 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.

NHTSA ODI #10949692

9,000 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Power Train

AT AROUND 9000 MILES MY 2016 MAZDA 6 GRAND TOURING WITH TECH PKG. AUTOMATIC IS HAVING TRANSMISSION DELAYS. WHEN THE CAR STOP AND THE GEAR LEVER MOVED INTO NEUTRAL(N), REVERSE (R), AND PARK (P) THEN BACK TO DRIVE (D). IT HAS A 4-5 SECONDS DELAY BEFORE THE GEARBOX BEING ENGAGED. ALSO AT 60+ MPH CRUISING ON FREEWAYS, WHEN STEP D…

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AT AROUND 9000 MILES MY 2016 MAZDA 6 GRAND TOURING WITH TECH PKG. AUTOMATIC IS HAVING TRANSMISSION DELAYS. WHEN THE CAR STOP AND THE GEAR LEVER MOVED INTO NEUTRAL(N), REVERSE (R), AND PARK (P) THEN BACK TO DRIVE (D). IT HAS A 4-5 SECONDS DELAY BEFORE THE GEARBOX BEING ENGAGED. ALSO AT 60+ MPH CRUISING ON FREEWAYS, WHEN STEP DEEPER INTO THE GAS PEDAL TO INCREASE SPEED FOR OVERTAKE THE TRANSMISSION HAS A CHOKE, FELT LIKE THE GEAR WAS FORCED INTO PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928242

2,700 miles · Oct 8, 2016
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2016 MAZDA 6 FROM THE DEALER AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ONLY 1,800 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY A WEEK WHEN I STARTED TO RUN INTO ISSUE. THE RESULT WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR MY CAR AT ONLY ~2,700 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHICH MADE DRIVING AND ACCELERATI…

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I PURCHASED MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2016 MAZDA 6 FROM THE DEALER AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ONLY 1,800 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY A WEEK WHEN I STARTED TO RUN INTO ISSUE. THE RESULT WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR MY CAR AT ONLY ~2,700 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHICH MADE DRIVING AND ACCELERATION UNSAFE. WHEN I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FOR A FEW SECONDS AT AN INTERSECTION, AFTER RELEASING THE BREAK PEDAL, THERE WOULD BE A SLIGHT DELAY BEFORE MY CAR KICKED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CAR WOULD STALL A BIT AND THEN IT WOULD KICK FORWARD VERY ABRUPTLY. THE ISSUE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN I WOULD SHIFT MY CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO ROLL IN REVERSE A LITTLE BIT AFTER I'VE SHIFTED TO DRIVE, THEN IT WOULD STALL AND KICK FORWARD VERY ABRUPTLY. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED. I WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY SO I WAS ABLE TO SHOW THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE DEALER SPOKE TO MAZDA, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT ONLY 2,700 MILES. THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10914911

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2016
Power Train

AROUND 7,000 MILES, I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY OR SMOOTHLY. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT I WAS DOING. UPON SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE/REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD LULL FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN SUDDENLY SHOOT INTO GEAR. AT FIRST, THIS WAS MINOR. AS TIME AS GONE ON, IT H…

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AROUND 7,000 MILES, I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY OR SMOOTHLY. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT I WAS DOING. UPON SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE/REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD LULL FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN SUDDENLY SHOOT INTO GEAR. AT FIRST, THIS WAS MINOR. AS TIME AS GONE ON, IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND MORE INTENSE; IN ONE INCIDENT, THE SHIFT WAS SO INTENSE THAT MY CAR ACTUALLY "PEELED" OUT. AFTER READING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE FROM OTHERS ON RECALL.GOV, I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP TO GET EXAMINED & HOPEFULLY FIND SOME TYPE OF SOLUTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME TO "HAVE SOMEONE STAND OUTSIDE OF MY CAR AND VIDEO RECORD" THE CAR DOING THIS. I EXPLAINED THAT IT IS RANDOM AND THAT I COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE SOMEONE WITH ME AT ALL TIMES TO RECORD THIS. THEIR RESPONSE THEN WAS FOR ME (AS THE DRIVER) TO RECORD THIS ON MY OWN PHONE. I DIDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO ADDRESS THEIR SUGGESTION OR THE SAFETY CONCERN OF THAT. MY FEAR IS THAT MY CAR IS GOING TO SHIFT OR ACCELERATE SO INTENSELY THAT I HIT SOMETHING, OR WORSE CASE, SOMEONE.

NHTSA ODI #10910195

3,200 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Power Train

MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I WOULD RELEASE THE BRAKES AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY GO INTO FIRST GEAR. IT WOULD SIT AT THE INTERSECTION AND THEN SUDDENLY JERK INTO FIRST GEAR. I WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY AFTER THAT. DEALER REPORTS I HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ARE REPLACING…

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MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I WOULD RELEASE THE BRAKES AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY GO INTO FIRST GEAR. IT WOULD SIT AT THE INTERSECTION AND THEN SUDDENLY JERK INTO FIRST GEAR. I WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY AFTER THAT. DEALER REPORTS I HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ARE REPLACING UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10861340

3,245 miles · Apr 9, 2016
Power Train

BOUGHT MY MAZDA 6 NEW ON 10/04/15 WITH 40 MILES. ON 3/26/16 AT 3245 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, VERY SIMILARLY TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT LISTED ON THIS SITE THAT STATED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS IF NOT MORE TRANSMISSIONS FAILURES OF THIS MODEL AT VERY LOW MILES. MY CAR TOOK AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT SECONDS TO ENTER DRIVE FROM PARK. WH…

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BOUGHT MY MAZDA 6 NEW ON 10/04/15 WITH 40 MILES. ON 3/26/16 AT 3245 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, VERY SIMILARLY TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT LISTED ON THIS SITE THAT STATED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS IF NOT MORE TRANSMISSIONS FAILURES OF THIS MODEL AT VERY LOW MILES. MY CAR TOOK AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT SECONDS TO ENTER DRIVE FROM PARK. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR ABRUPTLY BEGAN SLAMMING INTO MUCH LOWER GEARS THAN NECESSARY WITH LITTLE OR NO CHANGE IN CHANGE IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SLIGHTEST OF GRADE CHANGE ON THE ROAD ONLY EXASPERATES THE PROBLEM. I WAS DEVASTATED. CALLED THE MAZDA SERVICE CENTER AND SPOKE TO A SERVICE ADVISOR WHO COULD NOT HAVE MORE MORE APATHETIC. CURTLY HE TELLS ME THAT THE SOONEST THEY WORK ME IN WAS IN 5 DAYS. HE NOTED THAT I SHOULD MAKE MY APPOINTMENT ONLINE, AND BE SURE TO ASK FOR HIM! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING SON! NO WAY! UNFORTUNATELY THE ONLY OTHER SERVICE ADVISOR IN THE PLACE WAS A WOMAN WHO SEEMED TO BE ANNOYED BEING THERE. HER OWN MISTAKES, WHICH WERE MANY, MADE HER ANGRY AND SHE ACTED LIKE IT WAS THE CUSTOMERS FAULT. NOT JUST WITH ME EITHER. I RECEIVED NOTHING ON DAY ONE FOR MY CAR EVEN BEING THERE. NOT THE WORK ORDER I HAD SIGNED. NOTHING.. DAY TWO I SIGN A WORK ORDER FOR MAZDA TO GET THE NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED, AGAIN SHE GAVE ME NO COPY. IT REALLY SEEMED TO ANNOY HER WHEN I ASKED TO BOTH WORK ORDER COPIES, AS IF IT WAS SOMETHING COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT. I WISH I HAD FOLLOWED MY GUT AND TAKEN MY CAR OUT OF THERE PRONTO. THIS WAS TO BE MY LAST NEW CAR AND I NOW WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH MAZDA. I AM A 50 YEAR OLD MAN WHO TREATS HIS CARS GENTLY. NEARLY EVERY MILE ON MY MAZDA 6 WAS HIGHWAY, THE EASIEST BEST MILES FOR A CAR WHEN IT COME TO WEAR AND TEAR. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE, I NEARLY ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO MY NEIGHBORS CAR WHEN I FORGOT ABOUT THAT LONG PAUSE FROM PARK TO DRIVE ONE NIGHT. MAZDA, GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!

NHTSA ODI #10854596

Official recalls

1

17V546000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification; Seats; Steering:electric Power Assist System

Aug 31, 2017

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.

Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.

Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.

Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.

Seats

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.

Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.

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.