2018 Mazda Mazda6: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2018 Mazda Mazda6? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 53 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2018 Mazda Mazda6 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 has 53 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- Mazda6
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 53
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2018 Mazda Mazda6 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Mazda Mazda6?
The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Mazda Mazda6
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported engine or transmission work.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported engine or transmission work.
- Test drive to check for transmission shifting issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Mazda Mazda6, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2018 Mazda6 are concentrated in the Engine category, which accounts for the majority of reports. Transmission and drivetrain issues also appear as a recurring theme. The data is limited to a single model year and a small number of complaints, so patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Engine Problems account for 30 out of 53 total complaints.
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues represent 9 complaints.
- Only 1 crash-related complaint was reported.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission/Drivetrain
- Brake System
All 2018 Mazda Mazda6 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 30 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My cylinder head is leaking coolant. There is a well known and well documented issue with these cylinder heads cracking due to poor casting. This has become such a big issue that Mazda has even recalled the cylinder heads, BUT, only if the engine is equipped with Turbo. However, …
Car had a coolant leak due to cracked cylinder head that was defective from the factory it was fixed but now the car has engine problems again. Don’t want to keep having these issues in the future
System Failure: The Power Train (6-speed Automatic Transmission) suffered a major malfunction, documented by diagnostic codes P0731 (Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio) and P0780 (Shift Error). The vehicle is available for inspection. Safety Risk: The failure caused a sudden loss of propuls…
Per Mazda inspection, the back side of cylinder head #3 has an oil leak which is leaking onto the exhaust manifold. This creates a direct fire hazard as Mazda said they highly recommend not driving it for that reason. The Mazda dealership inspected and confirmed the issue, it in…
I recently discovered a significant oil leak near the exhaust manifold of my 2018 Mazda 6 (2.5L NA), which has resulted in visible smoke and a burning oil odor. Upon taking the vehicle to the nearest Mazda dealership for a diagnosis, the service department informed me that the ve…
Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak and possible coolant leak. This is a known issue with this year and model. Mazda is trying to suggest the issue is only for the turbo engine, but the non-turbo engine is also defective, per countless reports online. I have a video from the s…
Was driving then car suddenly shut down and all panel lights turned on. The car would not start after an hour it started but was Perkins when driving. Mechanics were unable to diagnose the issue.
Premature caliper failure on front and rear. Ruined rotors at 40k miles, confirmed caliper failure by two service shops. Grinding/squeaking sounds intermittently been happening for since 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated upon taken the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change, the dealer notified the contact of a fuel leak. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the top of the fuel tank and bolts connected to the fuel…
Bought used with 47k miles. Two weeks later, took it to my mechanic for an inspection, they found a massive oil leak on the back of the motor. Took it back to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a cracked cylinder head, for which there is a known TSB and warranty extension. U…
I am having my brake pads changed at a local mechanic and when changing the pads, the mechanic was unable to change them because the rotors and calipers were rusted and the brake pistons stuck. The previous recall only considered Mazda 6 up to 2013 but my 2018 has had the same pr…
Software error/loss of engine power. No warning of this before it happens. The car completely loses power, and stalls or stops in the middle of me driving. This has happened on the freeway and risked my life as well as my husbands, and children. This same issue has been a previou…
Coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold causing my car to over heat. Also when my thermostat is set to the exact temperature for both sides my driver side blows cold and the passenger side blows hot
Driving in traffic and the engine temperature warning appeared on dash. Dealer has confirmed there is a large coolant leak from the cylinder head. Mazda released a technical service bulletin regarding the issue affecting Mazda6, cx-5 and cx-9, but I will have to pay for a head ga…
Cracked cylinder head near the exhaust manifold. Created a large oil leak. Oil on the exhaust is a fire hazard. After one quart of oil loss a low oil level light comes on. This is a reported problem. One version of the engine I have has a Mazda TSB and an extended warrant…
My car has stalled out on me 6 times in traffic and wouldn’t restart for hours. I took it to the Mazda dealership and they told me nothing was wrong but it continues to happen. I need something done as soon as possible
Cracked Cylinder Head. At 50,400 miles. This is far too common of a problem for such a new car with so few miles. I have seen many similar reports online. My mechanic was baffled. This is a $5k cost AT LEAST. Mazda has a history of not covering these defects. And it IS a defect, …
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda 6. The contact stated that while merging onto a freeway the vehicle did not accelerate while pressing the accelerator pedal, lost automotive power. After turning the engine off and back on the vehicle operated as normal but later while driving approx…
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 f…
On [XXX] I purchased a Mazda 6 at Ocean Mazda in Miami, Florida. The car has 18,700 miles. The reason why the car has only 18K miles it's because out of the 4 years we have owned it, it was not used as much as a result of the COVID pandemic and my daughter attending online class…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6.
2018 Mazda Mazda6 Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2018 Mazda Mazda6 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 53 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mazda Mazda6?▾
#1: Engine Problems (30 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (9 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (9 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Mazda Mazda6?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Mazda Mazda6?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Mazda Mazda6, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 53 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Mazda Mazda6?▾
The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Mazda6 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.