2002 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

40 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Mazda Mazda6, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 8/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 62,500 miles.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2002 Mazda Mazda6 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

40Complaints
8/100Trouble index
1Recalls

Better year

Where 2002 sits among all Mazda6 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Transmission & drivetrain 12 complaints (30%) · typically ~62,500 miles
Engine 10 complaints (25%) · typically ~57,500 miles
Other 5 complaints (13%)
Electrical 4 complaints (10%)
Wheels & tires 2 complaints (5%)
Airbags 2 complaints (5%)

Recalls (1)

PARKING BRAKE 03V207000 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." DURING PRODUCTION, THE FLOAT IN THE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR IN THE BRAKE RESERVOIR CAN BE FORCED OFF OF THE GUIDE RAIL…

Fix: MAZDA HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…

Technical service bulletins

14 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2002 Mazda Mazda6. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2002 Mazda6 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2005peak 15 in 20052008

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2002 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

The 2002 Mazda Mazda6 drew 40 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 8/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).

What are the most common 2002 Mazda Mazda6 problems?

The top reported problems for the 2002 Mazda Mazda6 are transmission & drivetrain (12 complaints), engine (10), and other (5).

Does the 2002 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2002 Mazda Mazda6. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

All Mazda6 years 2003 Mazda6 →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.