MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mazda MAZDA6

● Typical for this model
2004 Mazda MAZDA6
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:53.642Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
160
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 28 complaints 2003: 174 complaints 2004: 160 complaints 2004 160 2005: 147 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 156 complaints 2008: 111 complaints 2008 2009: 386 complaints 2010: 225 complaints 2011: 135 complaints 2011 2012: 99 complaints 2013: 22 complaints 2014: 137 complaints 2014 2015: 60 complaints 2016: 76 complaints 2017: 60 complaints 2017 2018: 59 complaints 2019: 6 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 17 complaints
2002: 28 complaints 2002 2003: 174 complaints 2004: 160 complaints 2004 160 2005: 147 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 156 complaints 2008: 111 complaints 2008 2009: 386 complaints 2010: 225 complaints 2010 2011: 135 complaints 2012: 99 complaints 2012 2013: 22 complaints 2014: 137 complaints 2014 2015: 60 complaints 2016: 76 complaints 2016 2017: 60 complaints 2018: 59 complaints 2018 2019: 6 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 17 complaints
2002: 28 complaints 2002 2003: 174 complaints 2003 2004: 160 complaints 2004 160 2005: 147 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 156 complaints 2007 2008: 111 complaints 2008 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 225 complaints 2010 2011: 135 complaints 2011 2012: 99 complaints 2012 2013: 22 complaints 2013 2014: 137 complaints 2014 2015: 60 complaints 2015 2016: 76 complaints 2016 2017: 60 complaints 2017 2018: 59 complaints 2018 2019: 6 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 17 complaints 2021

2004: 160 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200228
2003174
2004160
2005147
2006173
2007156
2008111
2009386
2010225
2011135
201299
201322
2014137
201560
201676
201760
201859
20196
20202
202117

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

34% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 45 MPH, the consumer crashed into the vehicle in front of him. The air bags failed to deploy and the consumer sustained minor injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-12

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].

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-06

Power train

12% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Very hard shifts from 1st to 3rd gear it's a automatic transmission it's getting worse it will do it at random times and it's getting to the point I'm scared to drive the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-19

Structure

9% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: consumer's vehicle has a handle above the door of the back seat. Consumer's mother was holding onto handle when it broke loose.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-15

Electrical system

8% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My battery on my 2004 Mazda 6 went out and I had to jump start it to.go to work and come from work one day.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-01

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

"Takata recall" I parked my car when I got off work. The next day I went to crank my car it would turn over but it wouldn't start, so I took it to a mechanic and he said my computer was out. The vehicle was stationary in my…

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-09

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-12-27Seat belts04V582000 On certain passenger vehicles, the right and/or left rear seat belts may not lock properly due to missing retaining pins on the housing.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear seat belts and replace defective seat belt retractors. The recall began on December 27, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2009-04-17Equipment09E011000 Thule, inc. Is recalling 2,323 owner-installed roof-mounted fit kits, models 3068 and 3069, manufactured between January 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009 that are used with thule podium foot packs…

    Remedy: Thule will mail a retro fit kit along with repair instructions to owners free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 13, 2009. Owners may contact thule toll-free at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2017-09-12Air bags17V474000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-07-06Air bags18V402000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-12-03Air bags19V781000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Mazda MAZDA6 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V582000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 09E011000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 17V474000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V402000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V781000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.