2008 Mazda Mazda6

Do not drive

Owners filed 111 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

49 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags76
1004
Power Train5
100
Electrical System4
010
Steering3
100
Fuel System, Gasoline3
100
Unknown or Other2
000
Suspension2
000
Engine2
000
Wheels1
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V781000Do not drive
Filed Oct 31, 201947,006 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V402000Do not drive
Filed Jun 15, 2018308,591 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module17V474000Do not drive
Filed Jul 26, 2017308,992 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.

Equipment09E011000
Filed Apr 2, 20092,323 vehiclesThule, Inc.

Defect. THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly08V412000
Filed Aug 15, 20087,200 vehiclesMazda Motor Corp

Defect. MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,200 MY 2007-2008 MAZDA6 VEHICLES WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSION SPECIFICATIONS. THE METAL FUEL TANKS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE PVC PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS WHICH MAY RESULT IN REDUCED CORROSION RESISTANCE.

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR DAMAGE TO THE PROTECTIVE COATING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE COATING OR REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION 2.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 20, 2024235,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a leaking fuel tank. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The dealer added a protective coating. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that an abnormal fuel odor was on the interior of the vehicle, and fuel was leaking onto the ground. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V412000 (Fuel system, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the part needed to be purchased to complete the repair. The failure mileage was 235,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2023PA

The front subframe totally rusted out and the wheel disconnected. I purchased this car in 2009, but it was a 2008 vehicle. Apparently there was a recall on this part for the 2009 through 2018 vehicles but it did not include the 2008, which had the exact same problem. My car was kept in the garage its entire life and the last 10 years, I was retired and did not even drive it in the snow. The car only has 79,000 miles. Even if my car was not included in the recall, you would think the manufacturer would have notified me of the flaw and the danger. I sold this car to my nephew in February of this year and he was deriving it when the wheel fell off and separated from the subframe. He could have been killed. Had I know the issues with this vehicle, I would never have sold it to him and would have just traded it in. I believe that we are owed some type of compensation from the dealer for this. Fortunately he was not driving on a highway when this happened. We have a quote of $1400 to replace this part and weld it back on.

Suspension
Filed Dec 17, 2021MI

The front frame is rusted out to the point it is unsafe. This is the same issue for the 2009 2010 models.

Power Train
Filed Nov 14, 2019135,000 milesNC

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND IN THE COLD WEATHER.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 23, 2019125,802 milesOK

DRIVING 2008 MAZDA 6 WHEN THE AT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM GEAR REENGAGED VERY HARSHLY INTO THIRD GEAR. THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPPED 4TH AND 5TH GEAR AFTER RE-ENGAGING.

SteeringCrash
Filed Nov 16, 2018106,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK INTO PLACE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 28, 2018OR

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A LETTER IN 7/2015 STATING MY CAR'S AIR BAGS HAD BEEN RECALLED AND TO WAIT FOR A SECOND LETTER TO SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT APPOINTMENT. NEVER RECIEVED 2ND LETTER AND NOW CAR IS NOT ON RECALL. I SUSPECT IT (MY CAR) WAS REPORTED AS HAVING AIR BAGS REPLACED WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED. I AM CONCERNED AS IT WAS REPORTED ON THE NEWS THAT THIS TYPE OF THING HAS BEEN DONE A LOT. I'D LIKE MY AIRBAGS REPLACED WITH SAFE ONE...THANK YOU..

Air Bags
Filed Nov 10, 2017PA

I CALLED DEALER 3 TIMES TO HAVE MY AIRBAGS REPLACED (FINAL RECALL 1317F). THIS WAS OVER THE COURSE OF 6 MONTHS. THEY NEVER CALL ME BACK. THE THIRD TIME I CALLED (ON 8/24/2017) I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK (AGAIN) IN ONE MONTH. THEY STILL HAVE NEVER CALLED ME BACK.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 6, 2017158,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 18, 2017MO

TAKATA RECALL

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 27, 201790,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 14, 201742,000 milesAL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CURTAINS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE REPLACING THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 13, 201790,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 30, 2016NJ

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED VIA THE RECALL IN 6/2016. WHY IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG STILL NOT READY FOR RECALL OR TO BE REPLACED? THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE 2014! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, IS ANYONE MONITORING THIS WEBSITE? WHAT IS BEING DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS? NO UPDATES ARE LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE!!

Air Bags
Filed Sep 29, 2016NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 12, 2016OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V869000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 12, 2016DE

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 4, 2016MI

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 2016140,000 milesOH

FROM LETTER JULY 2016 NHSTA 16V-354, I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO CARPOOLING AND BUSINESS USES OF THE CAR, AND I AM GRAVELY CONCERNED. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP, MATT CASTRUCCI IN CENTERVILLE, OH, WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR, WHICH I NEED TO WORK.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 1, 2016NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V869000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20 of 111 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202117000Routine
20202000Routine
20196100Routine
201858210Routine
201760100Routine
201677100Routine
201560300Routine
2014137400Routine
201323400Do not drive
201299620Do not drive
2011134610Do not drive
2010225920Do not drive
20093861030Do not drive
2008 — this page111520Do not drive
2007156621Do not drive
2006173610Do not drive
2005147650Do not drive
2004160751Do not drive
2003174920Do not drive
200228100Routine

Compare every Mazda6 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 31, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.