BestCarRank
Mazda

2012 Mazda MAZDA6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Mazda MAZDA6 has 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is air bags problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: we've had this car in three time's they have changed air bag control module. found resistance at connector high 25.4 ohms cleaned and reset. and the third time witch was same day after they return car a few miles down the road air bag light was back on. they failed to right it up they took it back i. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 5 crash reports 7 injuries

128

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

30 complaints
23%
  • WE'VE HAD THIS CAR IN THREE TIME'S THEY HAVE CHANGED AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. FOUND RESISTANCE AT CONNECTOR HIGH 25.4 OHMS CLEANED AND RESET. AND THE THIRD TIME WITCH WAS SAME DAY AFTER THEY RETURN CAR A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD AIR BAG LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THEY FAILED TO RIGHT IT UP THEY TOOK IT BACK I
  • THE DASHBOARDS AND OTHER INTERIOR PANELS IS DEFECTIVE IT HAS MELTED AND FEELS LIKE FOAM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS STICKY BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE DASHBOARD TURNS BLACK AND STICKY AND MAY BE RUINED. THE MELTED DASHBOARDS CAN CAST DANGE
  • TAKATA RECALL- THE DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IS CRACKING OPEN.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

WE'VE HAD THIS CAR IN THREE TIME'S THEY HAVE CHANGED AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. FOUND RESISTANCE AT CONNECTOR HIGH 25.4 OHMS CLEANED AND RESET. AND THE THIRD TIME WITCH WAS SAME DAY AFTER THEY RETURN CAR A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD AIR BAG LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THEY FAILED TO RIGHT IT UP THEY TOOK IT BACK I

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Mazda MAZDA6

Based on 68 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 73K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
4
30-60K
24
60-100K
24
100-150K
11
150-200K
3
200K+
2

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 22 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
11
60-100K
7
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 81K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 80K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

Later than typicalmedian 96K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
4
100-150K
0
150-200K
1
200K+
1

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE12/10/2018

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling certain 2011-2013 Mazda6, 2011-2012 CX-7, and 2011-2015 CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Mazda6, 2010-2012 CX-7, and 2010-2015 CX-9 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

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

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Mazda MAZDA6

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,449
Full coverage / month
$121
Liability only / year
$598
vs US avg
-13%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda MAZDA6 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
120K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2012 MAZDA6, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 128 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: WE'VE HAD THIS CAR IN THREE TIME'S THEY HAVE CHANGED AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. FOUND RESISTANCE AT CONNECTOR HIGH 25.4 OHMS CLEANED AND RESET. AND THE THIRD TIME WITCH WAS SAME DAY AFTER THEY RETURN CAR A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD AIR BAG LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THEY FAILED TO RIGHT IT UP THEY TOOK IT BACK I

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT LIGHT; THEREFORE, THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE LOW BEAM BULB COULD BE REPLACED WITH A BETTER BULB. THE HEADL

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD OF MY 2012 MAZDA 6 WAS BECOMING STICKY AND LOOKED AS IF IT WERE MELTING. IT ALSO BEGAN TO EMIT A SMELL AND CRACKS BEGAN TO DEVELOP WHILE BECOMING MORE REFLECTIVE THAN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHICH REMAINS NORMAL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN GOO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: AT AROUND 50,000 MILES, I HAD A HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) GO OUT ON ME. I HAD IT REPLACED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND HAD TO GET THAT REPLACED. THESE ARE HARD TO GET TO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS SO EACH TIME I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Mazda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
128
Recalls
6
Fire reports
3
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
7
Segment avg
78

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Mazda MAZDA6