2016 Mazda 6
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 16 of 77 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 60 in 2015 to 77 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,150 | 1,950–2,150 | 1,950–2,150 | 2,100–2,250 | 2,150–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 29–32 | 29–32 | 29–32 | 28–30 | 26–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–28 / 36–39 | 25–28 / 35–39 | 25–28 / 36–38 | 24–27 / 34–35 | 23–26 / 31–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 280–305 | 280–308 | 280–306 | 299–315 | 302–335 | |
| Complaints filed | 137 | 60 | 77 | 60 | 58 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 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 2016 Mazda 6 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2016 Mazda 6?
Brakes: 16 of 77 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda 6 get?
EPA rates it 29–32 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Mazda 6?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 295 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 280 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (low) | 36 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | $2,150 (high) | 306 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 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 (1)
SEATS; STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · Campaign 17V546000 · Sep 6, 2017
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.
Consequence: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.