VehicleVerdict

2012 Mazda Mazda6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2012 Mazda Mazda6 sits mid-pack among Mazda6 years: 128 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 124, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (30), lighting (28), and other (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

128

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Mazda6 years?

See all Mazda6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mazda Mazda6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3023%
Lighting2822%
Other2016%
Electrical System1310%
Body & Structure129%
Suspension86%
Steering43%
Fuel System43%
Engine32%
Brakes22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seats11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2012 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

6 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.

19V323000Body & StructureApril 25, 2019 · 51,118 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 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 June 13, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2818I. Note: This recall is an expansion of Recall 18V-631.

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.

17V457000AirbagsJuly 18, 2017 · 79,402 units

Defect

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 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 included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling certain 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or 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. 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 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 front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 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 17V-012.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ON APRIL 20 MY SELF AND MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT AND NEITHER ONE OF OUR AIRBAG DID!!!! NOT COME OUT AND MY MYSELF ND MY CHILD WAS HURT I WAS RUSH TO THE HOSPITAL AND I'VE BROUGHT MY MY CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2017. AND IT HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 20, 2018 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BURN OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS TWICE ON EACH SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE AREA WAS MELTING AROUND THE FRONT HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY SOCKETS. RUSS DARROW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 1, 2018 · fire

The passenger dash board is melting. It covers the passengers air bag. I would like to know if a recall is still possible for my vehicle. I understand that there was a recall in 2015-2017, but unfortunately I did not received the notice since I was moving from Illinois to Kansas and later to Texas…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 6, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BURN OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS TWICE ON EACH SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE AREA WAS MELTING AROUND THE FRONT HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY SOCKETS. RUSS DARROW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2018 · fire

ON JULY 18, 2018 I WAS IN FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I WAS ALONE AND DRIVING I DID NOT HAVE A PHONE IN MY POSSESSION OR IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE UPPER AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEFLATE, THE FRONT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 18, 2018 · crash

2012 Mazda Mazda6 — common questions

Is the 2012 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mazda6: 128 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Mazda6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (30 complaints), lighting (28 complaints), other (20 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Mazda Mazda6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

How safe is the 2012 Mazda Mazda6?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Mazda Mazda6 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.