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2013 Mazda Mazda6 Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~1.6 complaints per year on the road — ranking 10 of 10 Mazda Mazda6 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
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What owners report
Service Brakes is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Mazda Mazda6, cited in 5 of 22 filed complaints (23%).
Suspension is next (5 complaints, 23%), followed by Exterior Lighting (4), Air Bags (3), Structure (3).
Across all complaints, 1 report a crash, 2 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 1 crash, 1 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 Mazda Mazda6, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 22.
Service Brakes 5
“I JUST BAUGHT A 2013 MAZDA6 THE REAR CRADEL AND CROSS MEMBER WAS COMPLETY RUSTED AWAY ONE MOUNT WAS COMPLETY RUSTED OFF .THE SPRINGS WAS ALMOST READY TO FALL OUT THE BOTTEM OF THE SPRING PURCH .IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PULLED OUT OF THE OCEAN WHERE IT HAD STAYED FOR YEARS .I TRIED TO FIND A USED REPLACEMENT OUT OF SEVERAL WE FOUND FROM 10-13 AND GOING THRU NATIONAL SALVAGE PARTS WE CAN NOT FIND ONE THAT WAS NOT RUSTY AWAY ALL THE MAZDA6 FRAMS WERE SO RUSTED THEY COULD NOT BE USED .WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST IF ALL I COULD FIND ARE RUSTED OUT PARTS THAT IS A SAFTY HAZZARD TO HAVE ON THE RO…”
NHTSA complaint #11560838, 2023
“MY 2013 MAZDA 6 HAVE SOME BRAKE RELATED ISSUES, I WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE VACCUM OR AIR LEAKAGE NOISE WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. CAR TAKES LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP OR AT TIMES IT KEEPS ROLLING AT THE TIME OF HARD BRAKING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT ITS THE BRAKE BOOSTER LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH ESTIMATES AROUND $600. I WAS TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE MAZDA HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH OTHER MODELS TOO FROM 2011 MODELS. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND MAZDA SHOULD BE EXTENDING THEIR SAFETY WARRANTY OFR THESE KNOWN ISSUES OR DEFECTIVE PARTS.”
NHTSA complaint #11290197, 2019
“HEADLIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN REPLACED 3-2014 LATEST 3-2017 A TOTAL OF 12 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 20,662 MILES, ALSO BRAKES 3-2014 LATEST 2-2017 TOTAL OF 9 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 18,896 MILES”
NHTSA complaint #10967763, 2017
Suspension 5
“The contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure) where a coating was sprayed on the passenger side lower control arm and the area was drained. After receiving the recall repair, the contact became aware that the vehicle was pulling to the right and the steering wheel was tilted to the left. The front passenger’s side tire was slightly turned inward. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the front cross member on the passenger’s side was ru…”
NHTSA complaint #11601441, 2024
“I JUST BAUGHT A 2013 MAZDA6 THE REAR CRADEL AND CROSS MEMBER WAS COMPLETY RUSTED AWAY ONE MOUNT WAS COMPLETY RUSTED OFF .THE SPRINGS WAS ALMOST READY TO FALL OUT THE BOTTEM OF THE SPRING PURCH .IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PULLED OUT OF THE OCEAN WHERE IT HAD STAYED FOR YEARS .I TRIED TO FIND A USED REPLACEMENT OUT OF SEVERAL WE FOUND FROM 10-13 AND GOING THRU NATIONAL SALVAGE PARTS WE CAN NOT FIND ONE THAT WAS NOT RUSTY AWAY ALL THE MAZDA6 FRAMS WERE SO RUSTED THEY COULD NOT BE USED .WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST IF ALL I COULD FIND ARE RUSTED OUT PARTS THAT IS A SAFTY HAZZARD TO HAVE ON THE RO…”
NHTSA complaint #11560838, 2023
“My car has approx 115,000 miles. I took it to Bass Mazda to have spark plugs and serpentine belt changed simply for maintenance purposes. After leaving dealership my car was pulling to the right. My steering wheel was no longer centered. It also was turned toward the right. Any time I had to hit the brakes the car pulled very hard to right. Long story short it we ended up finding out that my sub frame is very rusted and cracked. My car specifically does not fall into the recall for this issue. When I called mazda to inform them that this may be an issue with other cars the rep was ki d of rud…”
NHTSA complaint #11500180, 2023
Exterior Lighting 4
“HEADLIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN REPLACED 3-2014 LATEST 3-2017 A TOTAL OF 12 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 20,662 MILES, ALSO BRAKES 3-2014 LATEST 2-2017 TOTAL OF 9 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 18,896 MILES”
NHTSA complaint #10967763, 2017
“I NAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 15 TIMES STARTING AT 18,896 MILES AND THE LIGHTS 15 TIMES SINCE 20,662 MILES. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE LIGHTS, AFTER THEY HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I JUST TOOK IT BACK FOR THE 15TH TIME THIS TIME THE HARNESS IS RUSTED SUPPOSEDLY BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE COVERING, IF THAT IS WHY IT WAS RUSTED WHY WAS IT NOT TAKEN CARE OF WHEN IT OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVEN'T BEEN GIVEN AN EXPLANATION FOR THE BRAKES. NOW THEY ARE SUGGESTING I SHOULD THINK ABOUT PURCHASIN…”
NHTSA complaint #11035702, 2014
“THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 14 TIMES STARTING AT 18,896 MILES, IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED AT 16,578. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 15 TIMES STARTING AT 20,662 MILES. ALSO AT THE TIME OF THE 1ST BRAKE REPLACEMENT, THE RIGHT SHOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN 2 WEEKS AFTER HAVING LIGHTS REPLACED TO TELL ME THEY WERE OUT AGAIN.”
NHTSA complaint #11032679, 2014
Unknown Or Other 4
“RELATED TO MAZDA RECALL NUMBER 2818I - FRONT FRAME ROTTING OUT. THEY APPLIED A BANDAID FIX UNDER THE RECALL, TO ONLY 1 SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PART THEY USED DOES NOT EVEN CONNECT TO THE ACTUAL SUSPENSION PIECES THAT ARE ROTTING OUT OF THE FRAME. IT IS BASICALLY A PLATE TO KEEP THE ROTTING FRAME FROM SEPARATING COMPLETELY ON ONLY 1 SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENTIRE FRAME IS STILL ROTTING AT A CRAZY EXCESSIVE RATE. I HAVE HAD MANY USED, OLDER VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR SO NEW ALMOST RENDERED UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE FRAME CONDITION. MY MECHANIC SAID IT SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED GIVEN…”
NHTSA complaint #11404228, 2021
“THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY MAZDA 6 2013 IS MELTING AND IS VERY STICKY. TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING I STARTED TO NOTICE A GLARE FROM WHERE THE STICKY MELTING PART IS AND IT STARTED OBSTRUCTING MY VISION.”
NHTSA complaint #11279642, 2019
“MANUFACTURERS RECALL NUMBER 1317F. NHTSA RECALL 18V-018 AND MANUFACTURERS RECALL NUMBER 70131. NHTSA RECALL 13V42500. FIRST ONE IS AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE OTHER IS MAZDA 6 DOOR LATCH MOUNTING SCREWS.”
NHTSA complaint #11230810, 2019
Air Bags 3 1 crash 1 injury
“TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE GOING 35 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY.*DT*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11220322, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“MANUFACTURERS RECALL NUMBER 1317F. NHTSA RECALL 18V-018 AND MANUFACTURERS RECALL NUMBER 70131. NHTSA RECALL 13V42500. FIRST ONE IS AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE OTHER IS MAZDA 6 DOOR LATCH MOUNTING SCREWS.”
NHTSA complaint #11230810, 2019
Structure 3 1 injury
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE NOTICED A SPIDER RUNNING ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT KILLED THE SPIDER BUT A FEW DAYS LATER, ANOTHER SPIDER EMERGED AND BIT THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPATED 7/16/14*CN UPDATED 08/15/17*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10582828, 2014 · 1 injury(ies)
“The contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V631000 (Suspension, Structure) where a coating was sprayed on the passenger side lower control arm and the area was drained. After receiving the recall repair, the contact became aware that the vehicle was pulling to the right and the steering wheel was tilted to the left. The front passenger’s side tire was slightly turned inward. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the front cross member on the passenger’s side was ru…”
NHTSA complaint #11601441, 2024
“RELATED TO MAZDA RECALL NUMBER 2818I - FRONT FRAME ROTTING OUT. THEY APPLIED A BANDAID FIX UNDER THE RECALL, TO ONLY 1 SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PART THEY USED DOES NOT EVEN CONNECT TO THE ACTUAL SUSPENSION PIECES THAT ARE ROTTING OUT OF THE FRAME. IT IS BASICALLY A PLATE TO KEEP THE ROTTING FRAME FROM SEPARATING COMPLETELY ON ONLY 1 SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENTIRE FRAME IS STILL ROTTING AT A CRAZY EXCESSIVE RATE. I HAVE HAD MANY USED, OLDER VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR SO NEW ALMOST RENDERED UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE FRAME CONDITION. MY MECHANIC SAID IT SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED GIVEN…”
NHTSA complaint #11404228, 2021
Seats 2
“WHILE DRIVING ON US-40 HEAVY BRAKING WAS APPLIED, AND A METAL SUPPORT BRACKET UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT CRACKED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE FROM ITS WELD.”
NHTSA complaint #11180649, 2019
“LIFTER LINK FOR SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT ON DRIVER SEAT BROKE OFF WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE ADJUSTER ROD. SEAT ROCKS TO THE SIDE DURING RIGHT HAND TURNS”
NHTSA complaint #11046586, 2017
Visibility/Wiper 2
“THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM YOU BARELY CAN SEE ANYTHING OFTEN I HAVE TO TURN ON HIGH BEAM LIGHTS”
NHTSA complaint #11403799, 2021
“TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2013 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS FROSTED OVER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE APPROACHING VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWNS MAZDA LOCATED AT 5625 CENTRAL AVE, TOLEDO, OH 43615, (419)531-0151, TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *AS”
NHTSA complaint #11310300, 2018
Electrical System 1
“was driving on the highway when the check engine light came on. not 10 minutes later, I lost acceleration and steering. managed to get to the shoulder just in time before my car pretty much died. the water light and battery light came on when I came to a stop. mechanic discribes it as 'catastrophic engine failure'. other than the check engine light, there were no other warnings. the temperature gage was normal and there were no weird sounds or smoke. diagnostic readings said a coolant leak lead to the radiator overheating which caused the engine to seize. the freeze frame data says 'P0117 engi…”
NHTSA complaint #11429692, 2021
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
“2013 Mazda 6 VIN [XXX] 1)Fuel tank leak. yes it is available for inspection 2)Gas leak with danger of fire or explosion. 3) Yes 4) No 5)Yes Reoccurring The 2014 Mazda 6 had a recall for the exact same problem I am having where the tank would overfill or if parked unlevel and it will activate a check engine light and "leak gas" out of the EVAP canister even while driving. The recall covered cars built between October 25, 2012 and May 9, 2013. My car was built 7-19-2012 and the dealer will not fix the issue. I have taken it to a dealer in Cincinnati and they said put a new fuel cap on it whic…”
NHTSA complaint #11445637, 2021
Power Train 1
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE AND DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANMISSION SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY AND NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ONTHE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,200.”
NHTSA complaint #10605714, 2014
Seat Belts 1
Steering 1
“My car has approx 115,000 miles. I took it to Bass Mazda to have spark plugs and serpentine belt changed simply for maintenance purposes. After leaving dealership my car was pulling to the right. My steering wheel was no longer centered. It also was turned toward the right. Any time I had to hit the brakes the car pulled very hard to right. Long story short it we ended up finding out that my sub frame is very rusted and cracked. My car specifically does not fall into the recall for this issue. When I called mazda to inform them that this may be an issue with other cars the rep was ki d of rud…”
NHTSA complaint #11500180, 2023
Wheels 1
“I JUST BAUGHT A 2013 MAZDA6 THE REAR CRADEL AND CROSS MEMBER WAS COMPLETY RUSTED AWAY ONE MOUNT WAS COMPLETY RUSTED OFF .THE SPRINGS WAS ALMOST READY TO FALL OUT THE BOTTEM OF THE SPRING PURCH .IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS PULLED OUT OF THE OCEAN WHERE IT HAD STAYED FOR YEARS .I TRIED TO FIND A USED REPLACEMENT OUT OF SEVERAL WE FOUND FROM 10-13 AND GOING THRU NATIONAL SALVAGE PARTS WE CAN NOT FIND ONE THAT WAS NOT RUSTY AWAY ALL THE MAZDA6 FRAMS WERE SO RUSTED THEY COULD NOT BE USED .WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST IF ALL I COULD FIND ARE RUSTED OUT PARTS THAT IS A SAFTY HAZZARD TO HAVE ON THE RO…”
NHTSA complaint #11560838, 2023
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2013 Mazda Mazda6 draws about 1.6 complaints per year on the road, ranking 10 of 10 among the Mazda Mazda6 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.