Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2004 Mazda Mazda6
The 2004 Mazda Mazda6 has significant airbag recall issues due to faulty inflators, primarily affecting passenger safety. There are also seat belt concerns and issues with aftermarket lighting that might not meet safety standards. While generally reliable, these issues require careful attention.
Known issues to inspect
Faulty airbag inflators
How to check: Verify recall completion for airbags via VIN lookup.
Rear seat belts not locking
How to check: Ensure rear seat belts lock securely when pulled.
Improper aftermarket lighting
How to check: Check for proper amber side reflectors on lights.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises or rough idling.
Red flag: Persistent knocking or misfiring sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Any warning lights that stay on.
- 03
Low-speed maneuvering
What to check: Test steering responsiveness and ease.
Red flag: Stiff or unresponsive steering.
- 04
Braking at low speed
What to check: Ensure even and noise-free braking.
Red flag: Grinding or squealing brakes.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check smooth acceleration and gear changes.
Red flag: Hesitation or rough shifting.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall been completed?
- Have you experienced any seat belt issues?
- Any problems with the lighting system?
- Can you provide recent service history?
- Are there any current warning lights?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Vehicle recall history
- Proof of recent recalls addressed
- Service records
- Ownership documents
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on 6/8/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2004 Mazda Mazda6.