MAZDA MAZDA6 · model year

2018 MAZDA MAZDA6

69 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018MAZDAMAZDA6 carries 69 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 MAZDA6 is engine with 27 filings, followed by unknown or other (9) and power train (8). 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 2 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 2018 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.

69
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

69 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE27
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
POWER TRAIN8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
SUSPENSION2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
EQUIPMENT1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
SEAT BELTS1
WHEELS1
BACK OVER PREVENTION1

Recalls (2)

19V49700027/06/2019

ENGINE

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

21V87500012/11/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Recent Complaints

20260107ENGINE

I recently discovered a significant oil leak near the exhaust manifold of my 2018 Mazda 6 (2.5L NA), which has resulted in visible smoke and a burning oil odor. Upon taking the vehicle to the nearest Mazda dealership for a diagnosis, the service department informed me that the vehicle has suffered a cracked cylinder head. An active oil drip is visible behind the engine near the exhaust manifold immediately upon starting the car; consequently, the engine is leaking oil directly onto the exhaust components. This condition not only renders the vehicle inoperable but also presents a significant safety and fire hazard. At the time of this writing, my vehicle has only 46,996 miles and has been meticulously maintained. This mileage is well under the 60,000-mile powertrain threshold and represents a premature failure of a major internal engine component. There are numerous reports on Mazda owner forums describing this identical issue occurring in Mazda 6, CX-5, and CX-9 models. Some owners hav

20260107POWER TRAIN

I recently discovered a significant oil leak near the exhaust manifold of my 2018 Mazda 6 (2.5L NA), which has resulted in visible smoke and a burning oil odor. Upon taking the vehicle to the nearest Mazda dealership for a diagnosis, the service department informed me that the vehicle has suffered a cracked cylinder head. An active oil drip is visible behind the engine near the exhaust manifold immediately upon starting the car; consequently, the engine is leaking oil directly onto the exhaust components. This condition not only renders the vehicle inoperable but also presents a significant safety and fire hazard. At the time of this writing, my vehicle has only 46,996 miles and has been meticulously maintained. This mileage is well under the 60,000-mile powertrain threshold and represents a premature failure of a major internal engine component. There are numerous reports on Mazda owner forums describing this identical issue occurring in Mazda 6, CX-5, and CX-9 models. Some owners hav

20251017ENGINE

Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak and possible coolant leak. This is a known issue with this year and model. Mazda is trying to suggest the issue is only for the turbo engine, but the non-turbo engine is also defective, per countless reports online. I have a video from the service technician from the mazda dealership, but it is too big to upload.

20250918POWER TRAIN

Was driving then car suddenly shut down and all panel lights turned on. The car would not start after an hour it started but was Perkins when driving. Mechanics were unable to diagnose the issue.

20250527SERVICE BRAKES

Premature caliper failure on front and rear. Ruined rotors at 40k miles, confirmed caliper failure by two service shops. Grinding/squeaking sounds intermittently been happening for since 30,000 miles

20250514FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated upon taken the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, the dealer notified the contact of a fuel leak. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the top of the fuel tank and bolts connected to the fuel pump were significantly rusted, causing the fuel leak. The dealer determined that the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance would be provided because the contact had already authorized the dealer to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20250509ENGINE

Bought used with 47k miles. Two weeks later, took it to my mechanic for an inspection, they found a massive oil leak on the back of the motor. Took it back to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a cracked cylinder head, for which there is a known TSB and warranty extension. Unfortunately, the warranty extension only covers a coolant leak from the cracked cylinder head, not an oil leak. Thankfully, the dealership took care of me but had they not, I was looking at a $7k+ repair on a car I had owned for 2 weeks. In the TSB, Mazda acknowledges that there were both design and manufacturing flaws for the affected model years. In acknowledging the issue, they should have issued a recall for affected vehicles, not a simple warranty extension

20250306SERVICE BRAKES

I am having my brake pads changed at a local mechanic and when changing the pads, the mechanic was unable to change them because the rotors and calipers were rusted and the brake pistons stuck. The previous recall only considered Mazda 6 up to 2013 but my 2018 has had the same problem.

20250117UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Software error/loss of engine power. No warning of this before it happens. The car completely loses power, and stalls or stops in the middle of me driving. This has happened on the freeway and risked my life as well as my husbands, and children. This same issue has been a previous recall and fixed in 2019 for my car, and now it is happening again.

20250108ENGINE

Coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold causing my car to over heat. Also when my thermostat is set to the exact temperature for both sides my driver side blows cold and the passenger side blows hot

20250108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold causing my car to over heat. Also when my thermostat is set to the exact temperature for both sides my driver side blows cold and the passenger side blows hot

20250104ENGINE

Driving in traffic and the engine temperature warning appeared on dash. Dealer has confirmed there is a large coolant leak from the cylinder head. Mazda released a technical service bulletin regarding the issue affecting Mazda6, cx-5 and cx-9, but I will have to pay for a head gasket replacement.

20241126ENGINE

Cracked cylinder head near the exhaust manifold. Created a large oil leak. Oil on the exhaust is a fire hazard. After one quart of oil loss a low oil level light comes on. This is a reported problem. One version of the engine I have has a Mazda TSB and an extended warranty. TSB 01-0022/23 A local repair shop has diagnosed the problem.

20240928FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car has stalled out on me 6 times in traffic and wouldn’t restart for hours. I took it to the Mazda dealership and they told me nothing was wrong but it continues to happen. I need something done as soon as possible

20240928ENGINE

My car has stalled out on me 6 times in traffic and wouldn’t restart for hours. I took it to the Mazda dealership and they told me nothing was wrong but it continues to happen. I need something done as soon as possible

20240928UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car has stalled out on me 6 times in traffic and wouldn’t restart for hours. I took it to the Mazda dealership and they told me nothing was wrong but it continues to happen. I need something done as soon as possible

20240925ENGINE

Cracked Cylinder Head. At 50,400 miles. This is far too common of a problem for such a new car with so few miles. I have seen many similar reports online. My mechanic was baffled. This is a $5k cost AT LEAST. Mazda has a history of not covering these defects. And it IS a defect, not a simple wear and tear issue. A cracked cylinder head can eventually lead to engine failure, so it is dangerous to drive with it. The problem HAS been confirmed by an independent service center. I got a oil pressure warning sign.

20240809ENGINE

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda 6. The contact stated that while merging onto a freeway the vehicle did not accelerate while pressing the accelerator pedal, lost automotive power. After turning the engine off and back on the vehicle operated as normal but later while driving approximately 65 MPH the failure had reoccurred while attempting the pass a semi-truck on the freeway. The check engine warning light had also illuminated and the vehicle was eventually towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

20240709ENGINE

At less than 95,000 miles, the car suddenly started overheating. Coolant level was fine, maybe ever so slightly low (could still see the coolant in tubing and some in reservoir, which was closer to low than full). Replaced ECT sensor, thermostat and water pump which seemed to fix the issue. Drove for 9-10 days with no issues and it started overheating again. I was able to park quickly afterward at work (<10 seconds). Schedule for drop off at dealer (if car didn't show signs of overheating first (would have called tow truck). Checked fluid levels in car (was ~1Qt low) and topped it off. Drove to dealer (~30min ride) with no issues whatsoever. When dealer looked at it, they said cylinder was warped and leaking, requiring new engine. A just paid off car, with less than 100k miles on it, now needs a new engine that will cost more than half of what it's worth.

20240410SERVICE BRAKES

On [XXX] I purchased a Mazda 6 at Ocean Mazda in Miami, Florida. The car has 18,700 miles. The reason why the car has only 18K miles it's because out of the 4 years we have owned it, it was not used as much as a result of the COVID pandemic and my daughter attending online classes. I have always done timely maintenance services as required by Mazda at our service dealer Ocean Mazda and have proof of maintenance records to confirm the minor maintenance that have been done, oil change, tire rotation, battery replacement and a recall. This past Saturday [XXX] I took our Mazda for an oil change; and I was informed that a Five Point Inspection showed that the Driver Rear brake caliper and pad needed to be replaced because it was measuring 2% lining compared to the three other calipers which showed a 6% lining. Since the 36 month warranty has expired the cost to replace the caliper is $875.20. I'm a mom simply concerned about the safety of my daughter and have zero knowledge about bra

Compare 2018MAZDAMAZDA6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 have?
The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 69 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
Yes, the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The most-complained component for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 is ENGINE with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2018 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. The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. 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.