2016 Mazda Mazda6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

111 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Mazda Mazda6, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 37/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 41,500 miles.

111Complaints
37/100Trouble index
1Recalls
35,450Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2016 sits among all Mazda6 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Brakes & stability 14 complaints (13%) · typically ~41,500 miles
Other 13 complaints (12%) · typically ~25,000 miles
Electrical 13 complaints (12%) · typically ~57,450 miles
Transmission & drivetrain 10 complaints (9%)
Seats & interior 9 complaints (8%)
Speed control 7 complaints (6%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 74 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 35,450 miles. Half of those reports fall between 9,100 and 58,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (1)

STEERING 17V546000 2017

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed…

Technical service bulletins

669 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2016 Mazda Mazda6. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2016 Mazda6 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

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

2015peak 23 in 20202026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 reliable?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda6 drew 111 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 37/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).

What are the most common 2016 Mazda Mazda6 problems?

The top reported problems for the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 are brakes & stability (14 complaints), other (13), and electrical (13).

At what mileage do 2016 Mazda Mazda6 problems show up?

Owners most often report 2016 Mazda Mazda6 problems around 35,450 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 9,100 and 58,000 miles.

Does the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2016 Mazda Mazda6. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2015 Mazda6 All Mazda6 years 2017 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.