2004 Mazda Mazda6 recalls and problems

The 2004 Mazda Mazda6 has 4 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mazda dealer.

Urgent: recall 19V-781, recall 18V-402, recall 17V-474 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
4
Complaints
160
Crashes / fires
11 / 5
Injuries / deaths
15 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Mazda Mazda6 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Mazda Mazda6 recalls

Recall 19V-781: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Oct 31, 2019 · 47,006 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-402: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jun 15, 2018 · 308,591 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 17V-474: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jul 26, 2017 · 308,992 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-582: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 10, 2004 · 190 vehicles affected · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the right and/or left rear seat belts may not lock properly due to missing retaining pins on the housing.

Risk: 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. Passengers should not sit and child seats should not be used in the right or left rear seats until this defect has been corrected.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear seat belts and replace defective seat belt retractors. The recall began on december 27, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.

2004 Mazda Mazda6 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags55
Power Train19
Structure15
Electrical System13
Engine and Engine Cooling11
Latches/Locks/Linkages10
Exterior Lighting9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Engine7
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Visibility5

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 8
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 6
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 4
  • Structure › Body › Door — 4
  • Suspension › Front — 3
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 66,100 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Mazda Mazda6 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Aug 6, 2026
Have contacted Sport Durst Mazda in [XXX] about recall on air bags. Told me I had to drive vehicle to their shop. Told them the letter said Do Not Drive. They said they'd do the recall if I bring it to them. I live in [XXX]. I don't understand why I can not get repair done unless I drive my 2004 Mazda 6 station wagon with over 300 thousand miles on it to them. What do I need to do. This is my only vehicle since my 2017 Hyundai sonata was stolen and motor locked up with only 70 thousand miles on it 7-28-2025 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.…
Power Train · reported Mar 19, 2024
Very hard shifts from 1st to 3rd gear it's a automatic transmission it's getting worse it will do it at random times and it's getting to the point I'm scared to drive the car. mazda should listen to everyone else's problems with the same transmission it's ridiculous
Exterior Lighting · at 165,000 miles · reported Apr 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights were inoperable and failed to illuminate as needed. The contact replaced the bulbs, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the electrical wires had shorted out due defective wire coating. The mechanic attempted to fix the failure by covering the electrical wires, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Unknown or Other · reported Apr 13, 2021
We no longer own this vehicle. It was sold at auction about 3 years ago. Please stop sending me these real notices. Vin is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (Foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(B)(6).
Service Brakes · at 1 miles · reported Aug 8, 2020
I bought this car for 3,000 from the owner had it for 2 months, got oil and all fluids changed. When I was leaving my house a block away it totally died on me and now it wont start at all. I AM very frustrated because I dont have the money to buy abother one. Or even repair it.

Other Mazda Mazda6 years

Compare all Mazda Mazda6 years · All Mazda models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Mazda Mazda6 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Mazda Mazda6: 19V-781 (air bags), 18V-402 (air bags), 17V-474 (air bags), 04V-582 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mazda Mazda6?

Owners report air bags problems most often (55 reports), followed by power train (19). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 66,100 miles.

Are Mazda recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mazda dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.