2004 Mazda MAZDA6
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 28 |
| 2003 | 174 |
| 2004 | 159 |
| 2005 | 147 |
| 2006 | 173 |
| 2007 | 156 |
| 2008 | 111 |
| 2009 | 385 |
| 2010 | 225 |
| 2011 | 134 |
| 2012 | 99 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 137 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2016 | 76 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2018 | 54 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 17 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
33% of complaints: air bags — 52 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY7% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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, 20120801
"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 YARD
NHTSA ODI report, 20171209
6% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.
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, 20240319
5% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file.
4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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, 20120801
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 04V582000 — check if this car was fixed
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, MODEL
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 1-8
Campaign 09E011000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 17V474000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V402000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V781000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Mazda MAZDA6 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (52 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V582000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E011000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V474000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V402000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V781000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda MAZDA6 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.