2008 Mazda 6
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 78 of 111 complaints (70%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 165 in 2007 to 111 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–4,100 | 2,600–4,100 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–24 | 19–24 | 20–24 | 20–24 | 20–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–21 / 23–29 | 17–21 / 23–29 | 17–21 / 25–29 | 17–21 / 25–30 | 17–21 / 25–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–468 | 370–468 | 370–444 | 370–444 | 370–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 193 | 165 | 111 | 386 | 225 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 9 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda 6 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Mazda 6?
Airbags & Restraints: 78 of 111 NHTSA complaints (70%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mazda 6 get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Mazda 6?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 78 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V781000 · Oct 31, 2019
Defect: 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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 18V402000 · Jun 19, 2018
Defect: 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, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 17V474000 · Jul 28, 2017
Defect: 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 manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 09E011000 · Apr 3, 2009
Defect: THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 08V412000 · Aug 19, 2008
Defect: MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,200 MY 2007-2008 MAZDA6 VEHICLES WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSION SPECIFICATIONS. THE METAL FUEL TANKS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE PVC PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS WHICH MAY RESULT IN REDUCED CORROSION RESISTANCE.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR DAMAGE TO THE PROTECTIVE COATING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE COATING OR REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION 2.