This page covers 4 recalls, 22 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2013 Mazda Mazda6.
The 2012 to 2013 Mazda6 received an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash tests, it earned 3 stars, while side crash performance was rated at 4 stars. The vehicle achieved a top rating of 5 stars in rollover resistance. Side pole crash testing resulted in a 3-star rating. NHTSA maintains these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment applies to the entire 2012 to 2013 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2013 Mazda6 are spread across several systems, with exterior lighting drawing the most reports. Owners commonly describe headlights or other exterior lights failing prematurely or dimming unexpectedly. Seat-related complaints involve structural or adjustment issues, though the volume is low. Brake complaints describe pulling to one side under braking, in at least one case following dealer service. A handful of isolated reports mention more serious issues, a fuel tank leak with a reported smell of fuel, and a sudden loss of acceleration and power described by one owner as catastrophic engine failure, but these appear individually rather than as a recurring pattern. The exterior lighting failures represent the clearest repeated theme across this complaint set.
22
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Mazda6 has 4 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator concern applies to vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and others in that climate zone. This is part of the broader Takata inflator issue affecting many automakers, and the hazard is real regardless of how many miles are on the vehicle. On the structural side, the subframe mounting point for the passenger-side lower control arm can corrode and weaken on vehicles that spent time in colder, northern states. If that mount deteriorates enough, the control arm can shift, throwing off the steering alignment without warning and raising the risk of losing directional control. There is also a door latch concern: the screws holding the latch mechanism in place can work loose over time, and if all three loosen enough, the latch stops engaging the door frame properly, leaving the door free to swing open while the vehicle is moving.
At a glance
What can fail
The front cross member can corrode when exposed to road salt, potentially weakening the structural component.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the cross member and either reinforce it with a side member and drain hose plus protective wax, or replace it with an improved cross member.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash. This happens because the inflator's propellant degrades after years of exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The screws that secure the door latch may loosen over time, potentially causing the door to become unstable.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply thread-locking adhesive to the door latch screws and retighten them to the proper torque specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
