2018 Mazda 6
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 32 of 58 complaints (55%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 60 in 2017 to 58 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,150 | 2,100–2,250 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 29–32 | 28–30 | 26–29 | 26–29 | 26–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–28 / 36–38 | 24–27 / 34–35 | 23–26 / 31–35 | 23–26 / 31–35 | 23–26 / 31–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 280–306 | 299–315 | 302–335 | 302–335 | 302–335 | |
| Complaints filed | 77 | 60 | 58 | 6 | 2 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
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 2018 Mazda 6 have?
2 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 2018 Mazda 6?
Engine: 32 of 58 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda 6 get?
EPA rates it 26–29 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mazda 6?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,400 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 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 328 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 302 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 335 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 1 | 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 (2)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 21V875000 · Nov 12, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ENGINE · Campaign 19V497000 · Jun 27, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.