2006 Mazda Mazdaspeed6 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Mazda Mazdaspeed6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine840.0%
- Powertrain (other)525.0%
- Airbags315.0%
- Transmission15.0%
- Exterior lighting15.0%
- Body & structure15.0%
- Suspension15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SPEED 55 MPH DROPPED VALVE BLOW HOLE IN BLOCK WHICH ALSO BLEW BIG PIECES OF THE PISTON AND BLOCK ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH COULD HAVE BOUNCED BACK INTO TRAFFIC CAUSING INJURY TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS FOLLOWING VEHICLE. I COLLECTED PIECES OF THE PISTON AND BLOCK ABOUT THE SIZE OF A MEDIUM SIZE HAND WELL OVER 50 YARDS BEHIND THE VEHICLE AFTER I DID AN IMMEDIATE STOP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME OR ON COMING TRAFFIC SO NO ONE GOT HURT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE MAZDASPEED6 OR MAZDASPEED3 VEHICLES. I WOULD RECOMMEND HAVING THESE MOTORS REPLACED WITH A BETTER BUILT ONE BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT OR WORSE DIES.
I OWN A 2006 MAZDA SPEED6 WITH 96,600 MILES, PURCHASED DECEMBER 2005. MY SPEED6 HAS ALWAYS HAD A TURBOCHARGER SMOKING PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT, IT LOOKED LIKE A MOSQUITO SPRAYING TRUCK GOING DOWN THE ROAD. BUT THAT ISSUE SEEMED TO ABATE, AND APPEARED TO BE UNDER CONTROL ON ITS OWN. NOW THE CAR IS BURNING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 300 MILES. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND AFTER A YEARLONG ATTEMPT TO WATCH THE PROBLEM, TO SEE IF IT COULD BE CONTROLLED, I FINALLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION, THAT IT COULD NOT, AND THAT THE TURBOCHARGED HAD TO BE REPLACED. I THUS MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MAZDA DEALER CLOSEST TO MY CURRENT RESIDENCE, PADUCAH MAZDA, IN PADUCAH, KY. I TOOK THE CAR IN YESTERDAY, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM MY TURBOCHARGER SEALS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN AND PREVALENT, SUBJECT TO A NHTSA INQUIRY #10043874. AND AS A RESULT MAZDA ISSUED A LETTER EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO 84 MONTHS OR 70,000 MILES. I DO NOT RECALL RECEIVING THIS LETTER, OR IF I DID, AT THAT TIME DID NOT BELIEVE I HAD A PROBLEM WORTHY OF A NEW TURBOCHARGER. SO YESTERDAY, THE MAZDA CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM, AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $2500 TO REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGER. SINCE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, AND SUBJECT OF A MAZDA WARRANTY CONSIDERATION, I CALLED MAZDA CONSUMER SERVICE TO SEE IF MAZDA COULD OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ON THIS SERVICE ISSUE. I OFFERED TO WORK WITH THEM, TO PAY SOME PORTION OF THE REPAIR, MEET THEM IN THE MIDDLE IF POSSIBLE. MY REQUEST WAS DENIED IN TOTAL; ?NO ASSISTANCE?. NATURALLY, I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS RESULT, GIVEN THAT I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL MAZDA OWNER. I AM VERY SURPRISED WITH THIS ABRUPT AND NEGATIVE TREATMENT FROM MAZDA, GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOST CLUTCH TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING NEARLY HAVING AN ACCIDENT. TOOK OFF CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AS SYMPTOMS WOULD SUGGEST THE REPAIR WOULD BE. FOUND OUT THAT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS BROKE AND THAT THE FIREWALL IS "CRACKED" I CAN SEE LOTS OF POSTS ONLINE WHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS
5 MONTHS AGO, TOOK CAR TO MAZDA DEALER FOR TIMING CHAIN, VVT NOISE AND WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. LAST MONTH STARTED TO FEEL INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER DURING QUICK ACCELERATION FOLLOWED BY PLUME OF SMOKE AT THE TAIL PIPE. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS HEAVY CARBON BUILDUP AT THE VALVES AS WELL AS MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, O2 SENSOR, AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE BILL WAS FOR ABOUT 1800 WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR FOR DEEP CLEANING THE VALVES (INTAKE MANIFOLD REMOVED). AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, TOOK CAR HOME AND DROVE FOR ABOUT 25 MILES WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I SMELLED BURNT OIL AND SMOKE INSIDE THE CABIN. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO FIND LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SAME MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD A ROD SHEARED AND BLEW A HOLE THROUGH THE BLOCK AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE TRANSFER CASE HOUSING. THERE WAS NO ROD BEARING FAILURE, THE ROD JUST SNAPPED IN HALF. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE ENTIRE REPAIR COST AND WILL NOT COVER THE TRANSFER CASE DAMAGE. READING THROUGH SEVERAL FORUMS, THE SAME ENGINE DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO SEVERAL OTHER MAZDASPEED 6 OWNERS. THIS TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL 8 MONTHS SINCE THE FIRST LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO ME NOTIFYING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE NOW RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT NO ONE SHOULD RIDE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO THE RECALL. MAZDA HAS NOT PROVIDED THIS FIX IN A TIMELY MANNER AND NOW I HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE.
TAKATA RECALL I GET A LETTER EVERY YEAR THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT THAT THE "REMEDY" IS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE IS NO PROJECTION OF WHEN MY REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE. MEANWHILE MY VEHICLE HAS LOWER RESALE VALUE, IS GETTING OLDER AND I REMAIN AT RISK. WHILE 31% OF AT RISK VEHICLES HAVE RECEIVED SOME KIND OF REMEDY, THE RATE OF REMEDY APPEARS TO BE SLOWING DOWN. FIVE YEARS AFTER THE RECALL, I MIGHT HAVE A 50/50 CHANCE OF GETTING A REMEDY. I BELIEVE THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT MY VEHICLE WILL BE IN THE JUNK YARD BEFORE A REMEDY IS OFFERED. SEEMS LIKE A GOOD PLAN IF YOU HAVE TO PAY TO MAKE THE REPAIR. WHERE IS THE DIRECTIVE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC? YES, 7 MILLION AIRBAGS SOUNDS BUSY. KENNEDY'S MOON PROGRAM WAS COMPLETED IN 8 YEARS 2 MONTHS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND GOING DOWN THE EXIT RAMP WHEN MY CLUTCH WENT OUT ON THE CAR. IT IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH 17000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDASPEED6. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MORE THAT JUST MY CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. THE REPAIR COST IS $3,0000 DOLLARS WHICH FOR A FAIRLY NEW CAR IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY VEHICLES IS CLOUDING OF THE PLASTIC LENSES OVER HEADLIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM IS EXCEEDINGLY SEVERELY BAD ON THE MAZDASPEED 6. THE CLOUDING CANNOT BE REPAIRED VIA HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KITS AS ONCE IT'S REMOVED, IT COMES BACK EVEN WORSE AFTER. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. SINCE THESE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDE THE HID HEADLIGHTS ELECTRONICS (BALLAST) THEY ARE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE. THESE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CLOUD AND BECOME COMPLETELY WORTHLESS WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO. ON MY 8 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY USELESS AT NIGHT, THE HIGH BEAMS PRODUCE LESS LIGHT THAN LOW BEAMS ON MOST OTHER VEHICLES. THE EASY SOLUTION FOR MAZDA WOULD BE TO RECALL THE HEADLIGHTS AND RETROFIT A LENS (GLASS OR OTHERWISE) THAT WILL NOT CLOUD. MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE LOW BEAMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE MOUNTS AND THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS KEEP BREAKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER 5 TIMES AND IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 6. WHILE ACCELERATING OR MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,912 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .