MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 · model year

2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6

23 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006MAZDAMAZDASPEED6 carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 2006 MAZDASPEED6 is engine with 4 filings, followed by power train (4) and engine and engine cooling (2). 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 4 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 21 investigation files overlapping the 2006 MAZDASPEED6, and 1 remain open. 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.

23
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE4
POWER TRAIN4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
AIR BAGS2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
STRUCTURE1

Recalls (4)

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

21V74400024/09/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.

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

Recent Complaints

20170427ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SPEED 55 MPH DROPPED VALVE BLOW HOLE IN BLOCK WHICH ALSO BLEW BIG PIECES OF THE PISTON AND BLOCK ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH COULD HAVE BOUNCED BACK INTO TRAFFIC CAUSING INJURY TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS FOLLOWING VEHICLE. I COLLECTED PIECES OF THE PISTON AND BLOCK ABOUT THE SIZE OF A MEDIUM SIZE HAND WELL OVER 50 YARDS BEHIND THE VEHICLE AFTER I DID AN IMMEDIATE STOP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME OR ON COMING TRAFFIC SO NO ONE GOT HURT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE MAZDASPEED6 OR MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES. I WOULD RECOMMEND HAVING THESE MOTORS REPLACED WITH A BETTER BUILT ONE BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT OR WORSE DIES.

Mileage: 115,000

20160805AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL 8 MONTHS SINCE THE FIRST LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO ME NOTIFYING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE NOW RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT NO ONE SHOULD RIDE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THE RECALL. MAZDA HAS NOT PROVIDED THIS FIX IN A TIMELY MANNER AND NOW I HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE.

20160315AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I GET A LETTER EVERY YEAR THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT THAT THE "REMEDY" IS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE IS NO PROJECTION OF WHEN MY REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE. MEANWHILE MY VEHICLE HAS LOWER RESALE VALUE, IS GETTING OLDER AND I REMAIN AT RISK. WHILE 31% OF AT RISK VEHICLES HAVE RECEIVED SOME KIND OF REMEDY, THE RATE OF REMEDY APPEARS TO BE SLOWING DOWN. FIVE YEARS AFTER THE RECALL, I MIGHT HAVE A 50/50 CHANCE OF GETTING A REMEDY. I BELIEVE THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT MY VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE JUNK YARD BEFORE A REMEDY IS OFFERED. SEEMS LIKE A GOOD PLAN IF YOU HAVE TO PAY TO MAKE THE REPAIR. WHERE IS THE DIRECTIVE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC? YES, 7 MILLION AIRBAGS SOUNDS BUSY. KENNEDY'S MOON PROGRAM WAS COMPLETED IN 8 YEARS 2 MONTHS.

Mileage: 133,000

20151008POWER TRAIN

LOST CLUTCH TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING NEARLY HAVING AN ACCIDENT. TOOK OFF CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AS SYMPTOMS WOULD SUGGEST THE REPAIR WOULD BE. FOUND OUT THAT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS BROKE AND THAT THE FIREWALL IS "CRACKED" I CAN SEE LOTS OF POSTS ONLINE WHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS

Mileage: 110,000

20141206POWER TRAIN

5 MONTHS AGO, TOOK CAR TO MAZDA DEALER FOR TIMING CHAIN, VVT NOISE AND WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. LAST MONTH STARTED TO FEEL INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER DURING QUICK ACCELERATION FOLLOWED BY PLUME OF SMOKE AT THE TAIL PIPE. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS HEAVY CARBON BUILDUP AT THE VALVES AS WELL AS MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, O2 SENSOR, AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE BILL WAS FOR ABOUT 1800 WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR FOR DEEP CLEANING THE VALVES (INTAKE MANIFOLD REMOVED). AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE FOR ABOUT 25 MILES WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I SMELLED BURNT OIL AND SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO FIND LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SAME MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD A ROD SHEARED AND BLEW A HOLE THROUGH THE BLOCK AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING. THERE WAS NO ROD BEARIN

Mileage: 135,500

20140714POWER TRAIN

THE MOUNTS AND THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS KEEP BREAKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER 5 TIMES AND IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20140714STRUCTURE

THE MOUNTS AND THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS KEEP BREAKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER 5 TIMES AND IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20140611EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY VEHICLES IS CLOUDING OF THE PLASTIC LENSES OVER HEADLIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXCEEDINGLY SEVERELY BAD ON THE MAZDASPEED 6. THE CLOUDING CANNOT BE REPAIRED VIA HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KITS AS ONCE IT'S REMOVED, IT COMES BACK EVEN WORSE AFTER. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. SINCE THESE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDE THE HID HEADLIGHTS ELECTRONICS (BALLAST) THEY ARE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE. THESE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CLOUD AND BECOME COMPLETELY WORTHLESS WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO. ON MY 8 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY USELESS AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS PRODUCE LESS LIGHT THAN LOW BEAMS ON MOST OTHER VEHICLES. THE EASY SOLUTION FOR MAZDA WOULD BE TO RECALL THE HEADLIGHTS AND RETROFIT A LENS (GLASS OR OTHERWISE) THAT WILL NOT CLOUD. MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE LOW BEAMS. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20140226ENGINE

I OWN A 2006 MAZDA SPEED6 WITH 96,600 MILES, PURCHASED DECEMBER 2005. MY SPEED6 HAS ALWAYS HAD A TURBOCHARGER SMOKING PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT, IT LOOKED LIKE A MOSQUITO SPRAYING TRUCK GOING DOWN THE ROAD. BUT THAT ISSUE SEEMED TO ABATE, AND APPEARED TO BE UNDER CONTROL ON ITS OWN. NOW THE CAR IS BURNING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 300 MILES. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND AFTER A YEARLONG ATTEMPT TO WATCH THE PROBLEM, TO SEE IF IT COULD BE CONTROLLED, I FINALLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION, THAT IT COULD NOT, AND THAT THE TURBOCHARGED HAD TO BE REPLACED. I THUS MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MAZDA DEALER CLOSEST TO MY CURRENT RESIDENCE, PADUCAH MAZDA, IN PADUCAH, KY. I TOOK THE CAR IN YESTERDAY, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM MY TURBOCHARGER SEALS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN AND PREVALENT, SUBJECT TO A NHTSA INQUIRY #10043874. AND AS A RESULT MAZDA ISSUED A LETTER EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO 84 MONTHS OR 70,000 MILES. I DO NOT RECALL RECEIVING THIS LETTER,

Mileage: 96

20121231POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DECELERATING TO ATTEMPT A TURN, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Mileage: 38,000

20120615ENGINE

FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO MAZDA ABOUT THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING NOISE AND THE HEAVY WHITE SMOKE FROM THE LEAKING TURBO. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE DONE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. MAZDA CHOSE TO IGNORE THE ISSUES AND BRUSH THEM OFF. THE CAR NEEDS REPAIRS DUE TO THIS MATTER. MAZDA NEEDS TO BE FORCED INTO A TOTAL RECALL TO REPAIR THESE MANY COMPLAINTS. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

20120530ENGINE

DRIVING THE CAR ON THE TURNPIKE AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A BLOWOUT. IMMEDIATELY PULLED CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART, BUT MADE NOISE AND WOULD NOT START. CALLED HUSBAND, WHO ARRIVED AND SAID THE ENGINE HAD COME APART. THERE WERE PHYSICAL PIECES OF THE ENGINE BLOCK UP TO THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL IN THE SKID PLATE UNDER THE ENGINE, AS WELL AS OIL UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND ON THE ROAD. WE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MAZDA A FEW WEEKS EARLIER INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE SEALS IN THE TURBO AND A STOP PIN IN THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING (VVT) AND IF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR, UP TO 7 YEARS/70K MILES. CALLED DEALER AND MAZDA HQ NEXT MORNING. MAZDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS ACTED IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN THE ROOT CAUSE AND REASON FOR FAILURE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS 1K MILES OUT OF THE COVERAGE PERIOD. MAZDA PAID FOR TOW TO DEALER, BUT ONCE THERE MAZDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS WANT

Mileage: 71,200

20120330UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WELD FAILED. SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT / DISENGAGEMENT. *JS

Mileage: 88,000

20110630ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I LOVE THE MAZDASPEED 6 CAR. WHAT I DON'T LIKE IS THAT RECENTLY I'VE HAD TO BORROW ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE DUE TO THE WHITE SMOKE FROM THE MAZDA. I'VE HAD THE 2006 MAZDASPEED 6 FOR A YEAR NOW WITH 64,XXX MILES, DRIVES WELL, COMFORT COULDN'T ASK FOR MORE. TILL RANDOMLY I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. I'M A SAFE DRIVER AND KEEP MY CAR MAINTAINED WELL. THE "WHITE SMOKE" IS MOST VISIBLE AT IDLE. I DID NOT WISH TO GET AN EMISSIONS TICKET, SO I PARKED IT IN MY PARENTS GARAGE. HAVING TO BORROW A ANOTHER CAR IS A REAL PAIN. I HAVE READ UPON MANY SITE'S AND FORUMS TRYING TO SEE IF THIS IS A EASY FIX. IT HAS COME TO A CONCLUSION IT IS NOT. THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERS HAVE PUSHED ME AWAY DUE TO THIS WHITE SMOKE. I FEEL DISRESPECTED AS A MAZDA OWNER TO BE TURNED DOWN ON ANY HELP ABOUT THIS FAILURE. I HAVE SPENT OVER A $1000 DOLLARS TO TRY LOCAL SHOPS AND STILL THIS FAILURE IS KILLING MY BUDGET. I DO HOPE TO RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FROM MAZDA CORP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TO

Mileage: 64,786

20110602ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND OCCASIONALLY IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND STATED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE ENGINE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Mileage: 39,000

20100929CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CAR-2006 MAZDA SPEED 6-MAZDA HIT A PICKUP---SLID SIDEWAYS INTO THE CENTER GUARDRAIL--REAR END THEN HIT THE SIDE GUARD RAIL---FRONT END THEN RAN INTO THE CENTER GUARD RAIL AND WAS LODGE IN CENTER GUARD RAIL. NEITHER THE SIDE OR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER HIT HIS HEAD ON THE SIDE AND WAS UNCONSCIOUS----UNSURE OF EXACT SPEED AND MILEAGE AT TIME OF INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20100929CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

CAR-2006 MAZDA SPEED 6-MAZDA HIT A PICKUP---SLID SIDEWAYS INTO THE CENTER GUARDRAIL--REAR END THEN HIT THE SIDE GUARD RAIL---FRONT END THEN RAN INTO THE CENTER GUARD RAIL AND WAS LODGE IN CENTER GUARD RAIL. NEITHER THE SIDE OR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER HIT HIS HEAD ON THE SIDE AND WAS UNCONSCIOUS----UNSURE OF EXACT SPEED AND MILEAGE AT TIME OF INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20090915ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LOUD TICKING NOISE UNDER HOOD ON STARTUP. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20080603SUSPENSION:REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. WHILE ACCELERATING OR MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,912 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Mileage: 11,000

20080311POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND GOING DOWN THE EXIT RAMP WHEN MY CLUTCH WENT OUT ON THE CAR. IT IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH 17000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MORE THAT JUST MY CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. THE REPAIR COST IS $3,0000 DOLLARS WHICH FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR IS RIDICULOUS. *TR

Mileage: 17,000

Compare 2006MAZDAMAZDASPEED6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 have?
The 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 has 23 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6?
Yes, the 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 has 4 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 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6?
The most-complained component for the 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 is ENGINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6 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.