MAZDA MAZDA6 · model year

2008 MAZDA MAZDA6

121 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008MAZDAMAZDA6 carries 121 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 2008 MAZDA6 is air bags with 76 filings, followed by power train (8) and electrical system (4). 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 5 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 2008 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.

121
Complaints
17
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

121 filings

Crashes Reported

17 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 BAGS76
POWER TRAIN8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
STEERING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
WHEELS2
ENGINE2
SUSPENSION2
VISIBILITY1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1

Recalls (5)

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

08V41200015/08/2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

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

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

20240920FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 235,000

20231006SUSPENSION

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

20231006WHEELS

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

20211217SUSPENSION

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

20191114POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 135,000

20190823ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 125,802

20190823POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 125,802

20181116CrashSTEERING

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20180628AIR BAGS

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..

20171110AIR BAGS

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.

20170906CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 158,000

20170818AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170427CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20170314AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 42,000

20170313CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20160930AIR BAGS

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!!

20160929AIR BAGS

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.

20160812AIR BAGS

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.

20160812AIR BAGS

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

20160804AIR BAGS

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.

Compare 2008MAZDAMAZDA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6 have?
The 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 121 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6?
Yes, the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 5 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 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The most-complained component for the 2008 MAZDA MAZDA6 is AIR BAGS with 76 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2008 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.