VehicleVerdict

2010 Mazda Mazda6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 318 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Mazda6 year — the 2010 model ranks #2 of 20 Mazda6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (60), airbags (54), and suspension (43), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

318

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Mazda6 years?

See all Mazda6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Mazda Mazda6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure6019%
Airbags5417%
Suspension4314%
Other3411%
Steering299%
Lighting217%
Brakes175%
Visibility & Wipers144%
Electrical System144%
Tires & Wheels124%
Transmission52%
Engine52%
Fuel System31%
Seat Belts31%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks10%
Speed Control10%

Does the 2010 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

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

19V782000AirbagsOctober 31, 2019 · 69,879 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2007-2012 CX-7, CX-9, and 2009-2012 Maza6 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.

Consequence

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 repair has been 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 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V356 and 17V012.

18V717000AirbagsOctober 12, 2018 · 155,436 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

18V631000Body & StructureSeptember 14, 2018 · 50,176 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The front cross member may corrode after exposure to road salt.

Consequence

Corrosion may weaken the mounting point for the passenger side lower control arm, unexpectedly changing the steering alignment and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross member and either install a side member and drain hose and apply wax to protect from rust, or install a drain hose and an improved front cross member, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I.

18V018000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 70,227 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2013 Mazda6 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2010 Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 Mazda6, CX-7, and CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

17V429000AirbagsJune 29, 2017 · 205,377 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Mazda6, and 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles. 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 front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V356 and all vehicles that were not remedied under that campaign are now covered by this one.

16V594000AirbagsAugust 11, 2016 · 41,918 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, to December 3, 2009. The protective coating may not have been properly applied to the air bag control unit (ACU) and, as a result, moisture may damage the unit causing it to malfunction.

Consequence

Failure of the ACU would illuminate the air bag warning light and prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Mazda dealers will replace the ACU, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9816H.

14V114000Fuel SystemMarch 11, 2014 · 42,000 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, through May 2, 2011, and equipped with 2.5L engine. In the affected vehicles, spiders may weave a web in the evaporative canister vent hose, blocking it and causing the fuel tank to have an excessive amount of negative pressure.

Consequence

Negative pressure could cause the fuel tank to crack resulting in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module and inspect and clean the canister vent line. If a web was found in the line, the fuel tank and check valve on canister vent line will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number associated with this campaign is 7214C.

13V425000Latches & LocksSeptember 24, 2013 · 161,400 units

Defect

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured February 4, 2008, through August 24, 2012. The door latch mounting screws may become loose.

Consequence

If all three door latch mounting screws become excessively loose the door latch mechanism would not engage and the door might open while the vehicle is in motion increasing the risk of accident or injury.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will apply a thread locking adhesive to the door screws and retorque them, free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2013. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's recall number is 7013I.

11V134000Fuel SystemFebruary 25, 2011 · 52,000 units

Defect

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 MAZDA6 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 8, 2008, THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, 2010. A CERTAIN TYPE OF SPIDER MAY WEAVE A WEB IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER VENT LINE AND THIS MAY CAUSE A RESTRICTION IN THE LINE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY NEGATIVE WHEN THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WORKS TO PURGE THE VAPORS FROM THE CANISTER.

Consequence

AS THE CANISTER IS PURGED REPEATEDLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE STRESS ON THE FUEL TANK MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A CRACK, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LEAKAGE AD AN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CLEAN UP THE CANISTER VENT LINE, AND INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF SPIDER FROM ENTERING THE VENT LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

PASSENGER SIDE DASH STARTED MELTING ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THE DASH IS ALMOST LIQUID. SUNLIGHT REFLECTS OFF THE SHINY MELTED DASH AND BLINDS THE DRIVER. I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE DUE TO LIGHT REFLECTING OFF MELTED DASH. DASH IS SO STICKY THAT YOU CANNOT TOUCH OR IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 31, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 MAZDA 6. WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND NOSE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 24, 2016 · crash

The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Mazda6 . The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph and drove over a bump and lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated the disc off warning light was illuminated. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 7, 2023 · crash

DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND WE COMPLAINED TO MAZDA LONG TIME. STILL NO RESPONSE FROM MAZDA. DASHBOARD IS VERY SHINY BECAUSE OF MELTING AND AFFECTING THE SIGHT. NOT ONLY THAT FAULTY DASHBOARD. PLEASE ACT. SEE THE BELOW LINKS. LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WAITING.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA 6. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 18, 2015

2010 Mazda Mazda6 — common questions

Is the 2010 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 318 complaints put the 2010 model at #2 of 20 Mazda6 years. It is one of the Mazda6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Mazda6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (60 complaints), airbags (54 complaints), suspension (43 complaints).

Does the 2010 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Mazda Mazda6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Mazda Mazda6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda Mazda6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mazda6 years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2004, 2007, 2005, 2008. The cleanest record among Mazda6 years belongs to 2020.

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.