MAZDA MAZDA6 · model year

2004 MAZDA MAZDA6

196 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MAZDAMAZDA6 carries 196 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 8 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 MAZDA6 is air bags with 52 filings, followed by electrical system (11) and power train (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2004 MAZDA6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

196
Complaints
14
Crashes
8
Fires
15
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

196 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS52
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
POWER TRAIN10
STRUCTURE:BODY8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
ENGINE7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH4
SEATS4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
TIRES4

Recalls (7)

19V78100031/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 e

17V47400026/07/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 manufa

18V40200015/06/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Ind

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

04V58200010/12/2004

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE RIGHT AND/OR LEFT REAR SEAT BELTS MAY NOT LOCK PROPERLY DUE TO MISSING RETAINING PINS ON THE HOUSING.

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01100002/04/2009

EQUIPMENT

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 AB

Recent Complaints

20240319POWER TRAIN

Very hard shifts from 1st to 3rd gear it's a automatic transmission it's getting worse it will do it at random times and it's getting to the point I'm scared to drive the car. mazda should listen to everyone else's problems with the same transmission it's ridiculous

20230420EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights were inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact replaced the bulbs, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the electrical wires had shorted out due defective wire coating. The mechanic attempted to fix the failure by covering the electrical wires, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

20230420EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights were inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact replaced the bulbs, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the electrical wires had shorted out due defective wire coating. The mechanic attempted to fix the failure by covering the electrical wires, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.

Mileage: 165,000

20210413UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS SOLD AT AUCTION ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME THESE REAL NOTICES. VIN IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20200808SERVICE BRAKES

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR 3,000 FROM THE OWNER HAD IT FOR 2 MONTHS, GOT OIL AND ALL FLUIDS CHANGED. WHEN I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE A BLOCK AWAY IT TOTALLY DIED ON ME AND NOW IT WONT START AT ALL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ABOTHER ONE. OR EVEN REPAIR IT.

Mileage: 1

20200808ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR 3,000 FROM THE OWNER HAD IT FOR 2 MONTHS, GOT OIL AND ALL FLUIDS CHANGED. WHEN I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE A BLOCK AWAY IT TOTALLY DIED ON ME AND NOW IT WONT START AT ALL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ABOTHER ONE. OR EVEN REPAIR IT.

Mileage: 1

20200808ENGINE

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR 3,000 FROM THE OWNER HAD IT FOR 2 MONTHS, GOT OIL AND ALL FLUIDS CHANGED. WHEN I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE A BLOCK AWAY IT TOTALLY DIED ON ME AND NOW IT WONT START AT ALL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY ABOTHER ONE. OR EVEN REPAIR IT.

Mileage: 1

20190903STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE SUBFRAME ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.

Mileage: 90,800

20181213VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE

REPEATED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL DROP TO A CRAWL WITH ERRATIC REVVING. DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESS WAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. WILL NOT START DO TO REVVING LOOP CAUSED BY THROTTLE BODY. MULTIPLE TSB HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES PLAGUE MANY CUSTOMERS.

20181213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REPEATED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL DROP TO A CRAWL WITH ERRATIC REVVING. DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESS WAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. WILL NOT START DO TO REVVING LOOP CAUSED BY THROTTLE BODY. MULTIPLE TSB HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES PLAGUE MANY CUSTOMERS.

20181213VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

REPEATED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL DROP TO A CRAWL WITH ERRATIC REVVING. DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESS WAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. WILL NOT START DO TO REVVING LOOP CAUSED BY THROTTLE BODY. MULTIPLE TSB HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES PLAGUE MANY CUSTOMERS.

20181213UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REPEATED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL DROP TO A CRAWL WITH ERRATIC REVVING. DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESS WAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. WILL NOT START DO TO REVVING LOOP CAUSED BY THROTTLE BODY. MULTIPLE TSB HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO IT SEEMS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES PLAGUE MANY CUSTOMERS.

20171209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" I PARKED MY CAR WHEN I GOT OFF WORK. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO CRANK MY CAR IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT IT WOULDN'T START, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID MY COMPUTER WAS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY YARD

Mileage: 1,468,391

20171209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"TAKATA RECALL" I PARKED MY CAR WHEN I GOT OFF WORK. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO CRANK MY CAR IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT IT WOULDN'T START, SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID MY COMPUTER WAS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY YARD

Mileage: 1,468,391

20170927AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V474000 AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FAIRWAY LINCOLN OF SAVANNAH (10101 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406, PHONE NUMBER: (844) 921-2980) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170824AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (SHORTLINE MAZDA, 90 HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80010 (303) 364-2200) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY AND THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

20170803SEATS

THE HEATING KICKS IN (MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT) AND I NEVER TURNED IT ON...I EVEN REMOVED THE FUSE AND IT STILL HEATS UP...WIERD...

20170420AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170405AIR BAGS

DRIVER AIR BAG INFLATOR FINAL REPAIR NOTICE - SAFETY RECALL 8215F. I TOOK MY VEHICLE WHEN I RECEIVED THE FIRST NOTICE AND WENT TO JIM FALK MAZDA IN KAHULUI,MAUI,HAWAII AND THEY TOLD ME SORRY WE DON'T HAVE THE PART TO REPLACE YET BUT WILL CALL ME WHEN IT COMES IN AND THAT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.NOW I RECEIVED THE 2ND AND FINAL NOTICE AND I CALLED TWO DAYS AGO TO THE SAME PLACE AND AGAIN THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT AND CALL ME BACK. WELL NO CALL BACK YET AND I AM GETTING VERY UPSET THAT THEY DON'T FEEL THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO CALL PEOPLE BACK TO FIX THIS IMPORTANT PROBLEM. BEING THAT THE AIRBAG IS IMPORTANT YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PART ASAP AND CALL YOU TO COME IN AND HAVE IT REPLACED.

20170227AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2004MAZDAMAZDA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6 have?
The 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 196 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 8 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6?
Yes, the 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6 is AIR BAGS with 52 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2004 MAZDA MAZDA6 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.