NHTSA vehicle safety data
2008 Mazda MAZDA6 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2008 Mazda MAZDA6 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 111 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mazda MAZDA6, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2008 Mazda MAZDA6 owner complaints
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda MAZDA6, describing incidents dated February 4, 2008 to September 18, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 77 complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Electrical System 5 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
- Engine 4 complaints
- Steering 4 complaints
Of the 111 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 111 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11615605 · Filed
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a leaking fuel tank. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The dealer…
ODI #11548622 · Filed
The front subframe totally rusted out and the wheel disconnected. I purchased this car in 2009, but it was a 2008 vehicle. Apparently there was a recall on this part for the 2009 through 2018 vehicles but it did not include the 2008, which had the exact same problem. My car was kept in the garage…
ODI #11444120 · Filed
The front frame is rusted out to the point it is unsafe. This is the same issue for the 2009 2010 models.
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Mazda MAZDA6 in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
- Engineering Analysis EA15-001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since February 24, 2015
- Recall 14V-668
- Recall 15V-284
- Recall 15V-285
- Recall 15V-286
- Recall 15V-287
- Recall 15V-312
- and 188 more on the investigation page
- Preliminary Evaluation PE14-016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Closed March 2, 2015
- Recall 13V-172
- Recall 14V-428
- Recall 14V-700
- Recall 14V-763
- Recall 14V-770
- Recall 14V-787
- and 3 more on the investigation page
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V781000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported October 31, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 47,006 vehicles
Repair completion: 37.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 2618F · Owners notified December 3, 2019 · Vehicles built August 5, 2002 – May 5, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. 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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #18V402000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported June 15, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 308,591 vehicles
Repair completion: 9.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 2618F · Owners notified July 6, 2018 · Vehicles built May 29, 2002 – May 5, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture
NHTSA #17V474000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported July 26, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 308,992 vehicles
Repair completion: 13.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 1417G · Owners notified September 12, 2017 · Vehicles built May 29, 2002 – May 5, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. 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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS
NHTSA #09E011000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported April 2, 2009 · THULE, INC.
Potentially affected: 2,323 vehicles
Owners notified April 17, 2009
Defect description
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. 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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer remedy
THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Notes
THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO THULE AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
FUEL TANK OUTSIDE COATING
NHTSA #08V412000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported August 15, 2008 · MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Potentially affected: 7,200 vehicles
Mazda campaign 5008H · Owners notified August 28, 2008
Defect description
MAZDA IS RECALLING 7,200 MY 2007-2008 MAZDA6 VEHICLES WITH CALIFORNIA EMISSION SPECIFICATIONS. THE METAL FUEL TANKS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE PVC PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK DAMAGED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS WHICH MAY RESULT IN REDUCED CORROSION RESISTANCE.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD LEAD TO PERFORATION OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK FOR DAMAGE TO THE PROTECTIVE COATING AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR THE COATING OR REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION 2.
Notes
MAZDA RECALL NO. 5008H.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Mazda MAZDA6 model years
Check your 2008 Mazda MAZDA6 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda MAZDA6 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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