Decode a Mazda Mazda6 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
VIN prefix1YVJM1
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Mazda Mazda6
About the Mazda Mazda6
Mazda sold the Mazda6 in the US for model years 2003–2021, across three generations. GG first (2003–2008), then GH (2009–2013), and the GJ took over for 2014–2021. Across those years NHTSA lists 29 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,235 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the GG. Its 2006 and 2003 model years alone account for 367 of them, with owners bringing up air bags most often and the powertrain after that. EPA rates the GG at 19–24 mpg combined, while the GJ gets 26–32 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2003–2021
GenerationsGG · GH · GJ
NHTSA recall campaigns29
Owner complaints2,235 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Mazda Mazda6 generations
Three generations since the 2003 model year. The GG (2003–2008) has the most owner complaints, the GH (2009–2013) the most recall campaigns (12).
NHTSA has 29 campaigns on file for Mazda6 model years 2003–2021, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2009 (9). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Mazda Mazda6 owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2009 (386 of 2,235). Tap any bar or generation.
2,235NHTSA complaints, 2003–2021
136mention a crash
26mention a fire
97injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGJ: 417 complaints · most for the 2014 (137)
2003·2005····2010····2015····2020·
Top complaint areas · GJ
Mentions in 417 complaints, 2014–2021.
Electrical system88
Engine and cooling77
Brakes51
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)50
Structure and body23
Wheels20
Crashes 31Fires 1Injuries 19
2014–2021 (GJ)
NHTSA data summary
The 2014 stands out. On its own it has 137 of the GJ’s 417 complaints (33%), and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (88 mentions), then engine and cooling (77).
Top complaint areas · GH
Mentions in 868 complaints, 2009–2013.
Structure and body229
Air bags191
Suspension182
Steering86
Exterior lighting79
Electrical system68
Crashes 27Fires 8Injuries 21
2009–2013 (GH)
NHTSA data summary
By area, nothing stands out. Structure and body leads with 229, with the air bags (191) and the suspension (182) close behind. Complaints peak with the 2009, its first model year, at 386 of 868.
Top complaint areas · GG
Mentions in 950 complaints, 2003–2008.
Air bags433
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)139
Engine and cooling130
Electrical system72
Structure and body47
Brakes39
Crashes 78Fires 17Injuries 57
2003–2008 (GG)
NHTSA data summary
Air bags owns this generation. Its 433 mentions are more than twice the next area, powertrain (139). Of the six GG model years, the 2006 (193) and 2003 (174) drew the most complaints.
What Mazda6 owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2014–2021 (3rd generation)
The 2014 draws the most complaints. Many NHTSA owners describe a faulty park switch that leaves accessories on after shutdown and drains the battery, and CarComplaints ranks a whining or failing transmission first for 2014 and lists transmission hesitation for 2016. Recalls cover parking brake calipers on 2014–2015 models that can corrode and bind, alternator belts on some 2014–2015 models that may slip in heavy rain and cut charging and seat wiring on 2016 models that may disable power steering assist. [1][2][3]
2009–2013 (2nd generation)
The 2009 draws the most complaints. CarComplaints notes a shiny, melting dashboard that can reflect glare into the driver, and NHTSA owners of the 2009 often describe a rusting front subframe. Recalls cover front cross members on 2009–2010 models in salt belt states that may corrode and shift the alignment, air bag control units on 2009–2010 models that moisture may damage and passenger front air bag inflators on 2009–2011 models that may rupture. [4][5]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the cross member, air bag inflator and parking brake recalls.
On a 2009 or 2010, inspect the front subframe for rust and check the dashboard for glare.
On a newer car, shut it off in park a few times to confirm everything powers down and listen for transmission whine on the drive.
EPA lists 71 Mazda6 versions for model years 2003–2021. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 280 g/mi (2016). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
GG2003–2008
19–24 mpg · CO₂ 370–468 g/mi
GH2009–2013
20–25 mpg · CO₂ 355–463 g/mi
GJ2014–2021
26–32 mpg · CO₂ 280–335 g/mi
2021
29combined MPG
302CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,300EPA yearly fuel cost
7/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2021: 6 · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L — 29 MPG · 302 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Mazda6 vs Honda Accord vs Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2003–2008. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the Mazda6, against 28 for the Honda Accord and 12 for the Chevrolet Malibu. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Mazda Mazda6 VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a Mazda6
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Locate the Mazda6's VIN on the plate at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and trunk lid label near the latch are standard secondary locations. The GJ generation starts with the 2014 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (E for 2014) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Mazda Mazda6 VIN questions
Which Mazda Mazda6 model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2009 leads with 386, ahead of the 2010 (225) and 2006 (193). Those first two alone make up 27% of the 2,235 Mazda6 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Mazda Mazda6 had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 29 vehicle campaigns for model years 2003–2021, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, GH leads with 12. Then come the GG (9) and GJ (8), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Mazda Mazda6 recalls are high risk?
17V-474, 17V-429 and 17V-457 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-402, 19V-781, 18V-018, 19V-782 and 18V-717 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-531, 21V-744, 08V-412, 11V-134, 14V-114 and 14V-170. Do-not-drive advisories came with 17V-474, 18V-402, 19V-781, 17V-429, 17V-457, 18V-018, 19V-782 and 18V-717. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Mazda6 generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the GG is 2003–2008 and the GH 2009–2013. GJ spans 2014–2021. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (E is 2014).
What fuel economy does the Mazda Mazda6 get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2014–2021 GJ at 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 19–24 mpg for the 2003–2008 GG (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Mazda Mazda6 compare with the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu on recalls?
For 2014–2021 models the Mazda6 has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Accord has 15, the Chevrolet Malibu 21. Complaints run 417, 6,310 and 3,407 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Mazda Mazda6 have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Mazda6 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.
