Menu

2004 Mazda MAZDA6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 160 owner complaints about the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-402 the manufacturer reports only 9% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Mazda MAZDA6
45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the MAZDA6 median · #6 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 9%Owner complaints16024 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage111kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 has problems

160 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags556
Power train190
Structure151
Electrical system131
Engine and engine cooling112
Latches/locks/linkages100
Service brakes, hydraulic82
Exterior lighting71
Engine72
15 other systems447

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2004 Mazda MAZDA6 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

38%repaired · 2021 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 19V-781 · Oct 31, 2019 · 47,006 vehicles · 17,707 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

9%repaired · 2019 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 18V-402 · Jun 15, 2018 · 308,591 vehicles · 29,226 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

14%repaired · 2018 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 17V-474 · Jul 26, 2017 · 308,992 vehicles · 42,217 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 04V-582 · Dec 10, 2004 · 190 vehicles

Risk. THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY MALFUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other MAZDA6 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MAZDA6 median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Mazda MAZDA6 safety ratings

2004 Mazda6 5-DR. Sport Wagon in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 14V-668
  2. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  3. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 14V-787
In owners' words

What MAZDA6 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Have contacted Sport Durst Mazda in [XXX] about recall on air bags. Told me I had to drive vehicle to their shop. Told them the letter said Do Not Drive. They said they'd do the recall if I bring it to them. I live in [XXX]. I don't understand why I can not get repair done unless I drive my 2004…
Complaint 11755349 · Aug 6, 2026
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V474000 AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE…
Complaint 11030175 · Sep 27, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER…
Complaint 11019416 · Aug 24, 2017

Own a 2004 MAZDA6?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.