BestCarRank
Mazda

2013 Mazda MAZDA6

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mazda MAZDA6 has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is brakes problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: headlights have repeatedly been replaced 3-2014 latest 3-2017 a total of 12 times this started at 20,662 miles, also brakes 3-2014 latest 2-2017 total of 9 times this started at 18,896 miles. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 2 injuries

34

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

5 complaints
15%
  • HEADLIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN REPLACED 3-2014 LATEST 3-2017 A TOTAL OF 12 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 20,662 MILES, ALSO BRAKES 3-2014 LATEST 2-2017 TOTAL OF 9 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 18,896 MILES
  • THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 14 TIMES STARTING AT 18,896 MILES, IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED AT 16,578. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 15 TIMES STARTING AT 20,662 MILES. ALSO AT THE TIME OF THE 1ST BRAKE REPLACEMENT, THE RIGHT SHOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER
  • I NAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 15 TIMES STARTING AT 18,896 MILES AND THE LIGHTS 15 TIMES SINCE 20,662 MILES. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE LIGHTS, AFTER THEY HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I JUST TOOK IT BACK FOR THE 1
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

HEADLIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN REPLACED 3-2014 LATEST 3-2017 A TOTAL OF 12 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 20,662 MILES, ALSO BRAKES 3-2014 LATEST 2-2017 TOTAL OF 9 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 18,896 MILES

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Mazda MAZDA6

Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
8
30-60K
2
60-100K
8
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (4)

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 2013 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 2013 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~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 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • BRAKES: HEADLIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN REPLACED 3-2014 LATEST 3-2017 A TOTAL OF 12 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 20,662 MILES, ALSO BRAKES 3-2014 LATEST 2-2017 TOTAL OF 9 TIMES THIS STARTED AT 18,896 MILES

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

  • SUSPENSION: I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RECALL ON THE CROSSMEMBER MY VEHICLE IS FROM NEW YORK IT'S A 2013 AND MY HOLE CROSSMEMBER LOOKS LIKE THE CAR IS FROM THE 90 THEIR IS RUST EVERYWHERE AND I LIFTED MY VEHICLE TODAY AND SAW A PART ON TOP OF A PART WHEN THEY SHOULD OF REPLACED THE HOLE CROSSMEMBER

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

  • LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, MARCH 2014 - 20,662 MILES; SEPTEMBER 2014 - 36,107 MILES - OCTOBER 2014 - 36,669; FEBRUARY 2015 - 47,153; MARCH 2015 - 48236 MILES; JUNE 2015 - 60,089; LOW BEAMS IN ALL INCIDENTS.

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

  • OTHER: I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RECALL ON THE CROSSMEMBER MY VEHICLE IS FROM NEW YORK IT'S A 2013 AND MY HOLE CROSSMEMBER LOOKS LIKE THE CAR IS FROM THE 90 THEIR IS RUST EVERYWHERE AND I LIFTED MY VEHICLE TODAY AND SAW A PART ON TOP OF A PART WHEN THEY SHOULD OF REPLACED THE HOLE CROSSMEMBER

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 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
34
Recalls
4
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
78

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Mazda MAZDA6