VehicleVerdict

2006 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2006 Mazda B-Series Truck — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags964%
Brakes17%
Electrical System17%
Suspension17%
Tires & Wheels17%
Transmission17%

Does the 2006 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V837000AirbagsDecember 12, 2023 · 12,741 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2006 B-Series vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

Consequence

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6423L.

18V038000AirbagsJanuary 16, 2018 · 2,205 units

Defect

Mazda is recalling certain 2006 B-series vehicles. Mazda requests owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been remedied. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. On January 11, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 160 model year 2006 B-Series vehicles built with driver-side air bags. As of February 9, 2018, Mazda is expanding the recall to a total of 2,205 model year 2006 B-Series vehicles built with driver-side air bags. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with sharp metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 2218A.

18V039000AirbagsJanuary 16, 2018 · 2,205 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2006 B-Series vehicles. Mazda is requesting owners to NOT DRIVE these vehicles until they have been remedied. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. On January 11, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 160 model year 2006 B-Series vehicles built with driver-side air bags. As of February 9, 2018, Mazda is expanding the recall to a total of 2,205 model year 2006 B-Series vehicles built with driver-side air bags. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with sharp metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 2318A.

17V806000AirbagsDecember 14, 2017 · 17,576 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mazda B-series trucks. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1817L. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-346. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.

17V807000AirbagsDecember 14, 2017 · 17,576 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2006 B-Series trucks. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advise not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been 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 January 17, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1917L. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-048. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.

05V525000Visibility & WipersNovember 17, 2005 · 3,982 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence

AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TEETH TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TAKATA RECALL. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP KNOXVILLE TN HAS THE AIR BAGS AVAILABLE BUT THEY SAY I SHOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I ASKED THAT THEY TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEIR SHOP BUT THEY REFUSE. IS THERE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ON THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 11, 2018

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA B2300. THE VEHICLE HAS MAXXIS TIRES, SIZE T145/80D16 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE SPARE TIRE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE TO TWO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 1, 2007

THIS VEHICLE WAS SMOLDERING BURNING AND SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS 5 TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE AS HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION ADDED WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND IT STILL LEAKS. THE BRAKES PADS WEAR TO FAST. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 26, 2006

TAKATA INFLATORS AND OTHER, THEY KEEP SENDING ME CARDS AND LETTERS, WHICH WARN ME NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR. THEN THEY SAY THEY WILL TOW MY CAR AND PROVIDE ME WITH A OTHER CAR. BUT THEIR NOT DOING ANYTHING. I'M VERY CONCERNED AT THIS POINT AND I NEED THEM TO TAKE ACTION AND HELP ME.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2018

THIS VEHICLE WAS SMOLDERING BURNING AND SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS 5 TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE AS HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION ADDED WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP AND IT STILL LEAKS. THE BRAKES PADS WEAR TO FAST. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 26, 2006

2006 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 2006 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), brakes (1 complaints), suspension (1 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mazda B-Series Truck. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda B-Series Truck years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the B-Series Truck years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1998, 2000, 1996, 1997, 2001, 1995, 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among B-Series Truck years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.