2018 Mazda Mazda6 Safety Report
2018 MAZDA6 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (50) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Mazda Mazda6 with 2 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Mazda Mazda6 before buying across this generation. |
Mazda Mazda6 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Mazda Mazda6 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Mazda Mazda6 | 5 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Mazda Mazda6 | 55 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda6 | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda6 | 74 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Mazda Mazda6 | 17 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Mazda Mazda6 | 60 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Mazda Mazda6 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Mazda Mazda6, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Mazda onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Mazda onlyPower Train,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Mazda onlyService Brakes
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Mazda onlyFuel System, Gasoline
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Mazda onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Mazda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
Reliability Score
The 2018 Mazda Mazda6 receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil Leak A significant oil leak near the exhaust manifold has been identified, creating a direct fire hazard. Mazda has issued a recall for this issue. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Premature Caliper Failure Caliper failure leading to ruined rotors at 40k miles has been reported, causing grinding and squeaking sounds. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Mazda Mazda6:
Engine oil leak near the exhaust manifold.
Premature caliper failure leading to ruined rotors.
Recall Details for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 by NHTSA:
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 February 2026, with only 74,000 miles on the vehicle.
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 vehicle has suffered a cracked cylinder head. An active oil drip is visible behind the engine near the exhaust manifold im...
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 service technician from the mazda dealership, but it is too big to upload.
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 pump were significantly rusted, causing the fuel leak. The dealer determined that the fuel tank and the fuel pump neede...
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. Unfortunately, the warranty extension only covers a coolant leak from the cracked cylinder head, not an oil leak. Thankfu...
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 problem.
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 previous recall and fixed in 2019 for my car, and now it is happening again.
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 gasket replacement.
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 warranty. TSB 01-0022/23 A local repair shop has diagnosed the problem.
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, not a simple wear and tear issue. A cracked cylinder head can eventually lead to engine failure, so it is dangerous to...
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 approximately 65 MPH the failure had reoccurred while attempting the pass a semi-truck on the freeway. The check engine warnin...
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 fix the issue. Drove for 9-10 days with no issues and it started overheating again. I was able to park quickly afterwar...
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 classes. I have always done timely maintenance services as required by Mazda at our service dealer Ocean Mazda and have proo...
Start engine when cold and it knocks/ taps from the valve cover very loud, found a tab for valve lifters. Mazda said I’m out of warranty and it would be a 2k fix on a car I just bought second hand. A lot of other drivers have experienced the same issue and have even said it’s a safety issues as when it happens for long enough it could cause the cams to wear down causing the car to stall out in tra...
Noticed slight coolant leak, took car to mechanic, he stated cylinder head was cracked, & causing coolant to spray everywhere. Towed car to dealer. Was given repair estimate of over $11,000, for a new engine. I see a safety bulletin online for my year make & model car. This overheating can apparently cause an engine fire. So far, Mazda seems to be showing negligence & not properly addressing the ...
Mazda has a huge issue with there HLAs hydraulic lash adjusters. I've driven the car for 60k+ miles and it's ticked every since I got the car. And many people in the community also have the issue. And Mazda says it's fine and to rev the car above 3k rpms. This issue needs to be resolved. Before my warranty went up they said they'd fix it at the dealer if it would tick while in there possession. Th...
Showing 20 of 50 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Mazda Mazda6
Has the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 have?
The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 50 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 involve engine (18 complaints), unknown or other (4 complaints), power train,engine (3 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 out of 50 total complaints (2.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 out of 50 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 is acceptable with caveats. It has 50 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 are: 1. ENGINE (18 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (3 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (3 complaints), 5. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (3 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
Be cautious of engine oil leaks and premature caliper failure, especially around 40k miles. The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 has 50 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
The 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 50 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Oil Leak and Premature Caliper Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6?
Known issues with the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA6 include: Engine Oil Leak, Premature Caliper Failure. These are based on patterns found across 50 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What is the most common safety issue with the 2018 Mazda6?
The most common issue is an engine oil leak near the exhaust manifold, which can create a fire hazard.
How often do calipers fail prematurely in the 2018 Mazda6?
Calipers can fail prematurely, leading to ruined rotors at around 40k miles.
What should I do if I notice an oil leak in my 2018 Mazda6?
Take your vehicle to a professional mechanic immediately to address the leak and prevent potential fire hazards.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine oil leaks and premature caliper failure, especially around 40k miles.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Mazda Mazda6
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Mazda Mazda6. The data includes 50 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Mazda Mazda6 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16