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NHTSA complaints, Jan 1 to Aug 24, 2026 Updated Aug 24

Mazda Mazda6 complaints are down 16% this year

31 complaints filed with NHTSA in 2026 so far, against 37 in the same window last year. Suspension is the top component, and the 2018 model year files the most.

2026 YTD
31
rank 230 of 765 models
Same window 2025
37
Jan 1 to Aug 24
Year over year
-16%
market overall +2%
Top component
Suspension
8 of 31, 26%

Top problem areas

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension826%
Unknown or other826%
Engine723%
Power train413%

A complaint can cite more than one area, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Model years behind the complaints

Model yearComplaintsShare
2018826%
2017723%
2011516%
201226%
201026%
201626%

What the data says

Suspension accounts for about 26% of this year's Mazda Mazda6 complaints. That is a moderate concentration; worth knowing, but complaints are spread across several areas.

The 2018 model year contributes 8 complaints (26%). Older vehicles dominate, consistent with age-related wear rather than a new defect.

Complaints are down year over year, 37 to 31 (-16%), while the market overall rose about 2%. Year-over-year movement is the most useful signal here: a model's sales are roughly stable from one year to the next, so a sharp rise means the per-vehicle complaint rate genuinely moved, not just that the model is popular.

How to read this

Raw complaint totals track how many Mazda Mazda6s are on the road as much as they track quality, so a high count on a best-seller is partly a volume story. Complaints are also self-reported: they capture what owners chose to file, not a controlled survey. Use these numbers to know where to look during a pre-purchase inspection and which recalls to check, not as a verdict on their own. Compare any car instantly in the Car Complaint Checker, or read the full 2026 study for the market-wide picture and methodology.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

Complaint counts alone cannot answer that, because they track how many are on the road as much as build quality. What the 2026 data shows: 31 NHTSA complaints so far (rank 230 of 765 models), -16% year over year, with suspension the most-cited area. Treat it as a starting point and cross-check recalls and a pre-purchase inspection for the specific vehicle.

What is the most common Mazda Mazda6 complaint?

Suspension: 8 of the 31 complaints filed in 2026 cite it (about 26%). That is a moderate concentration; worth knowing, but complaints are spread across several areas.

Which Mazda Mazda6 model year has the most complaints?

The 2018 model year, with 8 of this year's 31 complaints (about 26%). Older vehicles dominate, consistent with age-related wear rather than a new defect.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database, complaints received 2026-01-01..2026-08-24, compared with 2025-01-01..2025-08-24 (same window). Counted once per complaint ID, vehicles only. Aggregated data is available under CC BY 4.0 with a link to GarageCalc.