10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
578 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Mazda MAZDA6 engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Mazda MAZDA6 Owner Comments

problem #18

Jul 082024

MAZDA6

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Louisa, VA, USA

problem #17

Apr 032024

MAZDA6

  • miles
Start engine when cold and it knocks/ taps from the valve cover very loud, found a tab for valve lifters. Mazda said I-??m out of warranty and it would be a 2k fix on a car I just bought second hand. A lot of other drivers have experienced the same issue and have even said it-??s a safety issues as when it happens for long enough it could cause the cams to wear down causing the car to stall out in traffic or in a dangerous road situation. Very dangerous imo and should be fixed for free as Mazda admitted that it-??s a design flaw of the HLA

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #16

Mar 222024

MAZDA6

  • miles
Noticed slight coolant leak, took car to mechanic, he stated cylinder head was cracked, & causing coolant to spray everywhere. Towed car to dealer. Was given repair estimate of over $11,000, for a new engine. I see a safety bulletin online for my year make & model car. This overheating can apparently cause an engine fire. So far, Mazda seems to be showing negligence & not properly addressing the issue for owners.

- Laurel , MD, USA

problem #15

Mar 222024

MAZDA6

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Mazda has a huge issue with there HLAs hydraulic lash adjusters. I've driven the car for 60k+ miles and it's ticked every since I got the car. And many people in the community also have the issue. And Mazda says it's fine and to rev the car above 3k rpms. This issue needs to be resolved. Before my warranty went up they said they'd fix it at the dealer if it would tick while in there possession. That's just not reasonable the tick happened as random as it gets. Please please for the sake of Mazda and all it's owners make Mazda fix this as a recall. Many people in the US would be the happiest people in the planet not having to hear there 20k$ car tick like a broken old piece of junk. Thank you for listening. Your truly a franticly hopeless hard working america with a half broken car.

- Marquette , NE, USA

problem #14

Mar 072024

MAZDA6

  • miles
At 65,000 miles and on time maintenance a head gasket blew.

- Thibodaux, LA, USA

problem #13

Dec 042023

MAZDA6

  • miles
The engine has developed an oil leak that is a known manufacturing defect of Mazda 2.5 litre engines TSB #SA-031-21. The oil drips on the hot exhaust and sends smoke into the cabin and probably could start a fire. Also if the engine runs out of oil, it will cause the car to shut off and stall in traffic.

- Fairport , NY, USA

problem #12

Dec 042023

MAZDA6

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cracked Head, not caused by anything I did.

- Itasca, TX, USA

problem #11

Dec 132023

MAZDA6

  • miles
Was at a drive in window and car turned off and couldn't restart. Windows and lights would work but car wouldn't restart. Could of been driving and would of crashed. Had 3 people family in car. It was 9 pm had to have towed to nearest auto mechanic place $150. They are diagnosing and that is $186. This is a scary thing and going to BBB and filing a complaint I'm mad as he'll. Have had inspection done on this car 2 months ago and all required services to this car. This was without warning which is horrifying.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #10

Sep 292023

MAZDA6

  • miles
Coolant leaking from head, informed by dealer the cylinder head is cracked and the entire engine needs to be replaced. The engine has just hit 80k miles at this point. This issue caused multiple instances of overheating while driving, one of which caused the vehicle to fail to move forward while on an elevated freeway overpass with no shoulder during rush hour. This issue appears to be widespread for 2016 and newer Mazda models with the 2.5L turbo engine.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #9

May 142023

MAZDA6

  • miles
I was driving my car, it overheated. I took it in and was told it needs a new engine. I was told it was not fault of my own why it overheated. It had 2 oil leaks and a blown head gasket.

- Hiram , GA, USA

problem #8

Apr 162023

MAZDA6

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Due to design issues, the engine cylinder head became cracked after normal everyday usage. Coolant began to leak badly and car engine became hot while driving.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #7

Apr 272023

MAZDA6

  • miles
Just noticed my coolant was leaking underneath my car and i went to mazda to check and it came out being a cracked cylinder the car are driven by my daughter from school to work only and has 68k miles, mazda doesn-??t want to fix because supposedly the engine warranty only last until 60k

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #6

Apr 262023

MAZDA6

  • miles
Mazda is producing and installing bad belt tensioner sand bad belts for new cars belt tensioner only lasts about 27,500 miles and belt only lasts 11 month/14,000 miles belt tensioner is a major safety issue

- Bellfower , CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 282022

MAZDA6

  • miles
Took care for routine maintenance to car dealer (Ourisman Mazda Rockville MD). No problems with car. They reported that I had an 'Coolant Leak at the Cylinder Head'. Cost to fix: $6412.47 They reported that it was 'normal wear and tear'. I found a service bulletin from Mazda whereby they admit a manufacturing defect that affected 2.5T engines. They corrected on March 25th, 2021. However, engines prior to this date had this defect. No recalls were created. No warning to owners. My car was within the mileage warranty when they identified the defect (<60k miles and < 5 yrs old). While my car is less than 5 years old, they now identified the leak, but it has over 60k miles. The local dealer said I was out of warranty and there is nothing they could do. I spoke with Mazda North American Operation and reported the Technical Service Bulletin that they put out on 10/15/21 (after they had already identified the problem, re-engineered the engine, and changed the manufacturing line), I also explained what was reported to me by Ourisman Mazda and emailed her all the documents. She reported that she would be getting back to me in 24-48 hrs.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #4

Jun 282021

MAZDA6

  • miles
I took my car in for scheduled maintenance and the technicians at the Mazda dealer found out the tensioner and belt needed to be replaced, when the car is less than 36k in miles. Vehicles being repaired under warranty but a tensioner should not be going out this early in the lifespan of a 2 year old car. I have found a lot of people are complaining for the same issue. This can cause the cars to not run as there-??s no notice ahead of time that the belt and tensioner are bad. I do have paper work stating tensioner problems. Vehicles should be recalled due to poor manufacturing and parts making it unsafe on the road.

- Bellfower , CA, USA

problem #3

May 252020

MAZDA6

  • miles
My Mazda6 spontaneously caught on fire while it was parked on a street and completely burned down. The fault/problem cause is unknown at this time but I suspect there was wiring/electrical fault and manufacturing and design defect. Both the sheriff's department and fire department were involved in assisting me in this incident. I am still waiting for reports from law enforcement/first responders. Mazda has refused to address this situation without me providing them with an "inspection report supporting the claim a defect was present and said defect caused the fire." As I was only a lessee of the vehicle, I have no possession of the vehicle and, therefore, I cannot order an inspection on the vehicle. Mazda is acting in bad-faith.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 232019

MAZDA6

  • 7,200 miles
Vehixle has open recall #3719F. Took vehicle in for service on July 15 and according to NHTSA recall has even out since June 27.2019. To this day I have not gotten any letter or anything stating car has open recall when the car can turn of randomly. Will be taking car in on 08/26/19 but I'm concerned as to why this has not been addressed in any letters or emails

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #1

May 302019

MAZDA6

  • 3,200 miles
I made a stop at a traffic light and the green light change I pressed the gas and the Mazda6 stalled and then dragged to take off which almost caused an accident.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

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