2021 Mazda Mazda6: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Mazda Mazda6? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 17 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2021 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 2021 Mazda Mazda6 has 17 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- Mazda6
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 17
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- 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 2021 Mazda Mazda6 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Visibility/Wiper
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Visibility/Wiper. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Mazda Mazda6?
The 2021 Mazda Mazda6 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
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 2021 Mazda Mazda6
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported engine or fuel system repairs.
- Test drive and listen for unusual engine noises or performance issues.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported engine or fuel system repairs.
- Test drive and listen for unusual engine noises or performance issues.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 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
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Mazda6 are concentrated in engine problems, which account for the majority of reports. No crashes or recalls were associated with this model year. The data is limited by low complaint volume and consumer-submitted nature.
- Engine problems dominate complaints for the 2021 model year.
- No crash-related complaints or recalls were reported.
- Other components such as visibility/wipers and fuel system have very few complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Visibility/Wiper
- Fuel/Propulsion System
All 2021 Mazda Mazda6 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Mazda Mazda6. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 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 2021 Mazda Mazda6. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The Infotainment system malfunctions. The rear view camera freezes, not with the current conditions but a still picture of a street I do not recognize. This puts not only myself at risk for an accident but those of others as well. This malfunction has been taken into the dealersh…
Twice had low oil warning lamp appear. First time in July 2023, 2nd time in June 2024. Both times oil has just been changed 2-3 months prior. Saw articles that there was a recent lawsuit, which is why I am filling complaint as well. Not for lawsuit, but for repairs so this does …
Engine oil low warning 2k miles after oil change and again a week after topping oil off.
My car displayed a low oil level light between oil changes and after checking the dipstick it was low. No sign of visible oil leak so upon further research I was made aware of a TSB about defective valve seals causing excessive oil consumption. My cars VIN is in the affected rang…
Low oil light comes on. Using excessive oil between oil changes.
Oil Consumption Defect. I bought car on 7/10/21. Mazda aware of the problem at the time and still sold me the car. Since then I have had to add oil in between oil changes. Mazda states problem cannot be fixed. My car vin # included with defected cars. My Limited New Car Warran…
Excessive oil burn. I have 12,7000 miles on my engine and the car is burning ~1 quart of oil every 3k miles and increasing.
I been having problems with oil consumption in between oil changes,I am concerned with the potential for damage to other engine systems aside from the reported issue with the gasket stem seals. I been taking my car to the dealership and I been told they don’t have a solution and …
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that the oil light continually illuminated on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of…
Vehicle displays low engine oil light about every 1,000 miles due to burning oil from faulty valve stem seals from factory assembly. Mazda has acknowledged the defect but plans to only refill engine oil. The defect could lead to possible injury due to low oil which could cause th…
The engine oil low light has illuminated multiple times. I verified that there is no external engine oil leak. I have added oil and driven it for a couple thousand miles and the light is now on again. The car is brand new and should not be burning oil. Its a known issue as Mazda …
Excessive oil consumption. Recently purchased new vehicle with 0 miles. Oil low level warning light on at 3500 miles. Manually checked oil level. Added one quart. Online research indicates problem is created by faulty valve guide seals which allows oil into the engine comb…
The low oil pressure light had turned on shortly after my first oil change (roughly at around 6k miles). I had the service done at a trusted service shop back in April 2021. I wrote it off mentally thinking that it was just a one off thing and that the shop may have made a mistak…
Low engine oil light came on at around 13,700. Last oil change was at 10,000 miles. Checked oil dipstick, oil level slightly below first marker hole.
The issue I am experiencing is one that many are in regards to the oil consumption. My check oil light came on prematurely in regards to the recommended scheduling for these sorts of vehicles, at around 3500 miles approximately. This is a vehicle that experienced this issue under…
Sunroof exploded while on the highway. Nothing hit the glass. Glass was facing outward and no evidence if anything striking it. Major safety concern, easily could have blinded my wife or I.
Visibility/safety issue with OEM Mazda windshields. Objects appear highly distorted from all angles, making it hard to judge distance, read road signs, and drive safely without a disorienting level of distraction occurring at all times. Some objects appear magnified while others …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Mazda Mazda6.
2021 Mazda Mazda6 Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Mazda Mazda6. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2021 Mazda Mazda6 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 17 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Mazda Mazda6 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. 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 2021 Mazda Mazda6?▾
#1: Engine Problems (13 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (2 complaints). #3: Visibility/Wiper (2 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Mazda Mazda6?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Mazda Mazda6?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Mazda Mazda6, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 17 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Mazda Mazda6 have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2021 Mazda Mazda6 in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2021 Mazda Mazda6?▾
The 2021 Mazda Mazda6 looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. 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 2021 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.