Is the 2004 Mazda Mazda6 a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Mazda6 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Mazda Mazda6 are in line with other Mazda6 years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Mazda6 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 83,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 55 (34%) | 40k–135k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (12%) | 14k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 16 (10%) | 21k–105k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 15 (9%) | 60k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 13 (8%) | 14k–95k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | 19k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (6%) | 9k–56k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 83,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 160 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Mazda Mazda6: 7
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These fit kits were sold as aftermarket equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The bolt(S) used to secure the foot to the vehicle was manufactured to a hardness that may cause the bolt(S) to be brittle and potentially break under stress. This may result in the bolt(S) snapping off during use or without a load. The unsecured rack and load can then come loose while driving creating a potential road hazard, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, the right and/or left rear seat belts may not lock properly due to missing retaining pins on the housing. The locking mechanism of the seat belt retractor may malfunction, increasing the risk of death or serious injury to the rear seat passengers in the event of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 147
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Mazda Mazda6. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...)…
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
Ethanol is becoming a common additive in gasoline
Some customers may complain about high engine oil consumption
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2003 Mazda6: 174 complaints, keep it · 2005 Mazda6: 147 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda Mazda6 year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · All Mazda6 years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Mazda Mazda6 a bad year?
160 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Mazda6 years. At 83,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda Mazda6?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (55), transmission and drivetrain (19), engine (16), body structure (15), electrical system (13).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda Mazda6 have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-781), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-402), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-474), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.