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2018 Mazda Mazda6
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
54 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (57% of complaints, typically reported near 58k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Mazda Mazda6 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Mazda Mazda6, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (9) · Fuel system (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
57%31 complaints · typically near 58k mi · 13 in the last 2 years
“Car had a coolant leak due to cracked cylinder head that was defective from the factory it was fixed but now the car has engine problems again. Don’t want to keep havi…”
Transmission & drivetrain
17%9 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“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 u…”
Fuel system
11%6 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“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 t…”
Brakes
7%4 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Premature caliper failure on front and rear. Ruined rotors at 40k miles, confirmed caliper failure by two service shops. Grinding/squeaking sounds intermittently been …”
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 21V875000
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Engine · 19V497000
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.
Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Mazda MAZDA6 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Mazda6 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.